IMP005 WiFi Module

This blog is meant to talk about Murata’s LBWA1UZ1GC-901 WiFi module, also known as the IMP005, an end-to-end device that will allow a sensor or piece of proprietary equipment to be connected to the internet. Communication is accomplished through the Imp Cloud which is a cloud-based service offered by Electric Imp. The module has integrated hardware, an operating system, security, and API’s as well.

The module operates at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz and has an ARM Cortex-R4 processor. It takes a 3.3 V supply voltage, has UART/SPI/USB protocols for a host interface, and follows the 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN standard. The IMP005 does not directly place a device on the internet. The platform is set up so that the device communicates with the secure Imp Cloud then to the internet. Any code used on this device will be compiled in the cloud. To help with building software applications, there is an API that provides classes and global objects so the device and agent code can access local hardware and cloud functionality. Since all of the application code is compiled in the Imp Cloud, the IMP005 will be able to focus on its input and output pins rather than on processing information.

This is a great way to get a product securely connected to the internet. The cloud is managed by Electric Imp so manufacturers can focus on getting products to market faster. Electric Imp and Murata have teamed up to help the engineer who is in the process of developing a product by introducing the IMP005-BREAKOUT which uses the LBWA1UZ1GC-901 module. The IDE for this device is web based so there is no need for an expensive program that can only run on a single PC or that needs a license to operate. Additionally, if the module is connected through a network to the imp cloud, it can be worked on from anywhere in the world.