The following Channel Guide will help you:
- Determine best shields to use for your wireless Arduino project (WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GSM Cellular).
- Check compatibility of your adapter and its range compared to its competitors.
- Compare prices and hunt for cheapest and most reviewed options on the market.
At the bottom of the page is also a list of tutorials and projects for reference.
Arduino Yún: $69
Description: "Arduino Yún is the combination of a classic Arduino Leonardo (based on the Atmega32U4 processor) with a Wifi system-on-a-chip running Linino (a MIPS GNU/Linux based on OpenWRT). It’s based on the ATMega32u4 microcontroller and on the Atheros AR9331, a system on a chip running Linino, a customized version of OpenWRT, the most used Linux distribution for embedded devices".
WiFi Shields:
Official Wi-Fi Shield: $84.95 Description: "The Arduino WiFi Shield allows an Arduino board to connect to the internet using the 802.11 wireless specification (WiFi). It is based on the HDG104 Wireless LAN 802.11b/g System in-Package. An Atmega 32UC3 provides a network (IP) stack capable of both TCP and UDP. Use the WiFI library to write sketches which connect to the internet using the shield. The WiFI shield connects to an Arduino board using long wire-wrap headers which extend through the shield. This keeps the pin layout intact and allows another shield to be stacked on top." |
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Adafruit CC3000 WiFi Shield $39.95 Description: "The CC3000 hits that sweet spot of usability, price and capability. It uses SPI for communication (not UART!) so you can push data as fast as you want or as slow as you want. It has a proper interrupt system with IRQ pin so you can have asynchronous connections. It supports 802.11b/g, open/WEP/WPA/WPA2 security, TKIP & AES. A built in TCP/IP stack with a "BSD socket" interface." |
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WizFi Shield for Arduino: $55 Description: "Arduino Wi-Fi Shield WizFi shield uses Wiz820io, WizFi210 module and supports the Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity simultaneously."Source code and schematics can can be download from Wiznet Github https://github.com/Wiznet/Arduino_WiFi_Shield |
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Sparkfun's WiFly Shield: $89
Description: "The WiFly Shield equips your Arduino the ability to connect to 802.11b/g wireless networks. The featured components of the shield are a Roving Network's RN-131G wireless module and an SC16IS750 SPI-to-UART chip. The SPI-to-UART bridge is used to allow for faster transmission speed and to free up the Arduino's UART." |
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RedFly-Shield for Arduino: 65 Eur
Description: "The RedFly-Shield is a plug-on module with WiFi/WLAN for Arduino Uno, Duemilanove, Diecimila and Mega Boards. Integrated WiFi and IPv4 stack (TCP, UDP, DHCP, DNS)" |
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Weburban wifi: $69.99
Description: "Can connect to Oak Arduino board via a breakout header (placed so it doesn't interfere with the board's daughter card riser) or to your own project using our clearly placed markers on each pin. The board uses standard connectors over SPI to an Arduino compatible Microchip 802.11b/g/n MRF24WB0MA. Compatible with WiShield and other Arduino WiFi libraries." |
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LinkSprite Anaconda WiFi Shield: $55
Description: "The LinkSprite WiFi Shield has built-in TCP/IP stack and all the WiFi related code. The Arduino just configures the WiFi parameters using AT command through the UART, or the user can simply treat the WiFi as a transparent serial port after some offline configuration." |
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LinkSprite CuHead WiFi Shield: $55 Description: "This shield provides 802.11b connectivity and is a direct drop-on plug-and-play solution to your Arduino Diecimila/Duemilanove. includes 16Mbit serial flash storage. Uses SPI for host communication (max speed 25MHz), Low power usage (Sleep mode: 250?A Transmit: 230mA Receive: 85mA)" |
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Littlebird Electronics-WIFI SHIELD FOR ARDUINO (802.11 B/G): $115
Description: "The only 802.11 b/g WiFi shield in the world. This board only uses Tx/RX which transfers the UART signal to TCP/IP. And it is great to make the arduino project wireless. With the enhancment from 802.11g, the maximum range is about 100m indoors and 300 meters outdoors." |
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WiFi Arduino Shield (WIZ610): $44 *Site is in spanish but they ship worldwide
Description: "The Shield Arduino WiFi adapter plate is the WiFi module WIZ610wi of WIZnet. This shield provides wireless connectivity for 802.11b / g and is compatible with platforms Duemilanove , Mega and One." |
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Wixel Shield for Arduino + Wixel Pair + USB cable: $49.95
Description: "This combination deal contains the basic parts you need to go wireless with your Arduino. It consists of one Wixel shield for Arduino, two Wixel modules and one 6’ USB A to mini-B cable for connecting the Wixels to a computer." |
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DFRobot WiFi Shield V2.1: $85.00
Description: "The WIFI wireless module is based on WizFi210. It provides the bridging from TTL serial port communication to IEEE802.11b/g/n wireless communication. So any device with TTL serial ports can easily be connected with this WIFI module and controlled and managed remotely through a wireless network." |
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Hydrogen from DIY Sandbox: $75
Description: "An innovative Arduino WiFi Shield you can use to add 802.11b WiFi capability to your existing Arduino Duemilanove or Uno. 3 pulse width modulated (PWM) LEDs for customizable notifications. Existing Arduino Ethernet library compatibility using our Wirefree library and example sketches. MicroSD card holder with selectable chip select (CS) pin for expanded storage options." |
XBee
XBee® Wi-Fi - Embedded Wi-Fi module for OEMs
A popular choice the Xbee modules are "Ideal for energy management, wireless sensor networks and intelligent asset management, the XBee Wi-Fi offers 802.11 b/g/n networking and flexible SPI and UART serial interfaces. Because the module includes the 802.11 b/g/n physical layer, baseband MAC and TCP/IP stack, developers can add Wi-Fi to their products simply by connecting to the XBee Wi-Fi's serial port."
Description:The XBee ZigBee modules from Digi International are available in two major classifications: XBee Series 1 and XBee Series 2 modules. The Series 1 and Series 2 modules are quite similar, but selection of a module should be based upon application specific needs
- See spec differences here
Bluetooth
Arduino BT Board: eur 79
Description: It supports wireless serial communication over bluetooth (but is not compatible with Bluetooth headsets or other audio devices). It has 14 digital input/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs and one can be used to reset the WT11 module), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, screw terminals for power, an ICSP header, and a reset button.
Web Urban Blue Olive: $63.99
Description: Blue Olive connects via the regular Olive pinouts on the Magnolia and Oak boards and provides BlueTooth Class 1 (range 300 feet, 100 meters) connectivity to your projects. Since it uses the standard USB pin configuration, swapping out our Olive for the Blue Olive is easy and convenient. Clearly marked pins and Arduino compatibility means it will work for your custom projects as well.
JY-MCU Arduino Bluetooth Wireless Serial Port Module: $8.60
- Instructable: Androino! Control an Arduino from your Android device using a cheap bluetooth module.
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Shield for Arduino
RF
Ciseco: XRF wireless RF radio UART RS232 serial data module: £11.88 (inc VAT)
Description: "Been looking for an easy to use wireless module for your prototypes? One with superior range (up to 1Km), greater in building penetration, lower current consumption and lower cost? We think the XRF might be what you have searched for." The communication of the device is normal serial, it transparently passes characters to and from XRF's. You don't need to do CRC's, any error checking etc it's all done for you. XBee socket friendly 2 x 10 pin 2mm pitch layout RF module, in many projects it'll be a drop in replacement for series 1 XBees. |
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Ciseco: ERF 0.1" pin spaced radio module: £16.00 (inc VAT)
Description: "Essentially an XRF that plugs just like an FTDI cable. The easiest and most convenient way to communicate with your XRF/URF/ERF/SRF & DRF modules via standard 0.1" headers. This module, unlike most competitive radios can also be run at 5v (2.1-5v). The ERF transparently passes characters to and from individual or multiple radio devices." |
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Ciseco: URF radio module and serial inteface via USB: £18.00 (inc VAT)
Description:"Essentially an XRF that plugs in to your USB port! The easiest and most convenient way to communicate with your XRF/URF/ERF/SRF & DRF modules via the USB port on your PC. The device just a single driver file and shows up as a standard COM port, so any serial/terminal emulation software can talk directly to your XRF/URF/ERF/SRF & DRF devices." |
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panStamp: Wireless arduino on the ISM bands - $18
Description: "panStamps are small wireless modules programmable from the Arduino IDE. Each module contains an Atmega328p MCU and a Texas Instruments CC1101 RF interface, providing the necessary connectivity and processing power to create autonomous low-power wireless motes. Everything contained into a compact DIP-24 module." |
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Jeenode: 18.50 euro
Description: "The JeeNode is a small wireless board with an 8-bit Atmel RISC microprocessor. JeeNodes are compatible with the Arduino platform and can be programmed under Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux using sketches created with the Arduino IDE. |
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RFM12B 868 MHz: 5.50 Euro Description: "The RFM12B radio module by HopeRF is a small wireless radio module for sending and receiving packets on the 868 MHz ISM band using FSK. - Arduino Library " |
Ethernet:
Arduino Ethernet Shield:
Description: The Arduino Ethernet Shield allows an Arduino board to connect to the internet. It is based on the Wiznet W5100 ethernet chip providing a network (IP) stack capable of both TCP and UDP.
-An Atlas of Arduino Ethernet Shields from Rob Smallshire for more details of each version
Other ethernet based options can be found here.
Cellular:
- Official Arduino GSM Shield: €69.00
"The Arduino GSM Shield connects your Arduino to the internet using the GPRS wireless network. Just plug this module onto your Arduino board, plug in a SIM card from an operator offering GPRS coverage and follow a few simple instructions to start controlling your world through the internet." - Cooking Hacks: 3G/GPRS Shield (3G + GPS): €149.00
- ITEAD 3G Shield: $78
- Open Electronics GSM/GPRS & GPS shield for Arduino: €16.20
- RockBLOCK: RockBLOCK can send and receive short messages from anywhere on Earth with a view of the sky.
Using a router:
Using OpenWRT (Described as a Linux distribution for embedded devices) is another alternative to a typical shield that can be quite cost effective (Example is GL.iNET GL-MT300N-V2 Mini Travel Router for $21, OpenWRT wiki on it can be found here.).
- Smart home automation webserver on OpenWRT router WR703N - Instructable by janisalnis
- Teensy/Arduino & OpenWrt By Ian Sexton
- Arduino + OpenWRT = Art By Nemanja Stefanovic
- Connecting an Arduino Uno to OpenWRT (Part 2) By Robert Stürzbecher
- How to build a 20$ low-cost OpenWrt router – Flash OpenWrt to TP-Link WR703N By Raffael Herrmann
- Arduino - Cheap wifi connectivity - Andy Brown
- I2C bitbanging Fonera with OpenWRT in 2201 - Taikson Projects
- Zoomkat's router/arduino/ssc-32 wifi bot
- Cheap and Easy Arduino Wi-Fi Hack - Instructable by ddoss
- Use the TP-Link TL-WR703N to send Arduino sensor data - Martin Melchior
Tutorials and Projects:
Sparkfun did a good write-up that breaks down these technologies (wifi, bluetooth, RF, etc) by costs, data speed, learning curve and size.
- WiFi for Arduino with Asus WL-520gu
- How to connect and Arduino to the Internet fot 10$ (Ebay Ethernet Shield)
- Wireless + Arduino + oF [Tutorial]
- How to make cheap wireless LAN environment for Arduino with the hacked La Fonera router.
- A Wirelessly Controlled, Arduino-Powered Message Board
- Wireless Altoids Display
- A "Minimal" Arduino/XBee/Pachube Sensor Network
- Tutorial 9 for Arduino: Wireless Communication
- WiFly Wireless Talking SpeakJet Server
- Communication Between Android And Arduino With Bluetooth
- WIRELESS ARDUINO PROGRAMMING - Remotely program an Arduino using a XBee wireless connection
- Tutorial: Wifi Module for Arduino "Roving RN-XVee"
- Arduino meets Processing via Wifi (DD-WRT)
- Presentation: Arduino and the real time web - By Andrew Fisher
- Teleduino "converts your ethernet enabled Arduino into a powerful and versatile tool for interacting with devices over the internet."
Alternatives:
Nanode: $39
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OpenPicus: See: FlyPort smart Wi-Fi 802.11 module
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Netduino Plus: $60
Description: "Does not have wireless built-in and must be outfitted with a module. An open source electronics platform using the .NET Micro Framework. Featuring a 32-bit microcontroller and a rich development environment, it is suitable for engineers and hobbyists alike. The Netduino Plus is just like the Netduino, with Ethernet cooked in. There is a full TCP/IP stack with examples ready to go, and a microSD card slot for storing files." |
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See a list of more popular Internet of Things prototyping hardware. |
Related: Raspberry Pi Wireless Options