Ai-thinker has recently launched its Ai-M61 Module. It has Wi-Fi 6 + BLE5.3 + Thread all together in single compact module.
The Ai-M61 module is built on BL618 chip as the core processor. BL618 chip is a 32-bit RISC-V with FPU and DSP CPU, the highest frequency it can run is 320MHz. It has 128KB ROM and 532KB SRAM along with 4Kb eFuse.
The maximum transmission power is 16 – 22dBm, the receiver sensitivity is -98dBm. The date rate possible is 229.4 Mbps Max.
This series of module has three variants Ai-M61-01, Ai-M61-32S, Ai -M61-32SU.
Ai-M61 series modules have rich peripheral interfaces, including DVP, MJPEG, Display, Audio Codec, USB2.0, SDU, Ethernet (EMAC), SD/MMC (SDH), SPI, UART, I2C, I2S, PWM, GPDAC, GPADC, ACOMP, GPIO, etc.
It can be widely used in audio and video multimedia, mobile devices, smart home, large and small home appliances, smart security and other areas.
In particular, the new generation of Ai-M61 series modules launched by Ai-Thinker is aimed at the higher resolution display requirements. GC0328/GC0308/GC2053 camera can be supported to build an image recognition solution.
The module has the characteristics of high throughput, low power consumption, high transmission rate, strong anti-interference, low packet loss rate and long transmission distance of WiFi6 module;
This article mainly focuses on the types of display interfaces, networking capabilities, and screen drive application solutions of the Ai-M61 series.
Ai-M61 Dev Kit Pinout
Display Capability of Ai-M61 Module
LCD display refers to the general term for modular components assembled from liquid crystal display panels and driving circuits, backlights, integrated circuits and other related components. The thin body of the LCD monitor saves space, saves power when used, and does not generate much heat. It is a low-power product.
Ai-M61 series modules support LCD liquid crystal display, common LCD screen interfaces include DBI, QSPI, etc. other than RGB.
- RGB interface
The RGB interface is based on the three primary color data signals to realize the data interaction between the CPU and the LCD. The typical characteristics are high refresh rate, large drive screen, and wide application range. It has become a commonly used display driver interface for central control screens;
- DBI interface
The DBI interface is also called the MCU interface or the 80/8080 interface. The biggest feature of the DBI interface is that the LCM has its own framebuffer, which stores the data sent by the Host, and is repeatedly flashed to the LCD by the internal control IC. Refresh, the requirements for the host processor are very low, there is no clock line, the host and the LCM can be connected through a simple GPIO, and the DBI transmission can choose parallel port or serial port transmission. The difference between the two is that the number of data lines is different, and the timing is the same.
- QSPI interface
QSPI is a dedicated communication interface that connects single, dual or quad (data lines) SPI Flash storage media.
It can work in the following three modes:
- 1.Indirect mode: use the QSPI register to perform all operations;
- 2.Status polling mode: Periodically read the external Flash status register, and an interrupt will be generated when the flag position is 1 (such as erasing or programming is completed, an interrupt will be generated)
- 3.Memory-mapped mode: the external Flash is mapped to the address space of the microcontroller, so that the system regards it as an internal memory;
Ai-M61 Module networking capability
In terms of networking capabilities, here are two typical networking methods of the Ai-M61 series, such as Bluetooth Mesh, Matter networking, etc.
Bluetooth Mesh networking
Bluetooth Mesh is a new wireless local area network connection technology that can connect devices through wireless signals. Ai-M61 series modules adopt this networking mode, which has the advantages of expanding the coverage area, stronger ability to penetrate walls, and supporting more devices online at the same time, so that every corner of the home can connect to WiFi; and does not require every The routers are all connected to the network cable, which is more convenient to use
Matter networking
Matter itself is a protocol backed by Amazon, Apple, Google, Nordic, Samsung, and hundreds of others, bringing connectivity to the previously siled smart home space. Matter uses Thread as the basis for low-power wireless connections, seamlessly integrates with large-scale IP networks without a gateway, and can provide high-throughput options for smart home products.
In addition, because the Wi-Fi 6 module has an excellent communication range, Matter devices can always maintain a network connection, which is a new direction for smart home device networking
Real World Application using Ai-M61 Module
The screen-driven application solutions that the Ai-M61 series can provide mainly include built-in visual peephole intercom doorbell, low-power wireless camera, intelligent central control screen gateway, intelligent sports and fitness, screen-type smart home appliances, etc., which are suitable for different scenarios to meet the needs of users. different needs.
Built-in visual cat’s eye intercom doorbell
The visual cat’s eye doorbell is an intelligent visual cat’s eye intercom doorbell that can work 24 hours a day and has motion detection installed on the door. Ai-M61 series modules can be used to build visual cat’s eye intercom doorbell, integrating wireless communication, camera and LCD display, multimedia technology into the solution. Not only the elderly or children can clearly see the situation outside the door through the display screen , but at the same time, visitors can also be automatically photographed and image will be saved to further improve the feature of the security solution.
Once someone rings the doorbell, or an unknown person stays for abnormally long, the built-in visual intercom doorbell can transmit audio and video to the mobile phone through Wi-Fi , and at the same time realize remote door opening, record upload, suspicious snapshot, real-time transmission of alarm information, and OTA upgrade Business functions related to door locks.
Intelligent central control screen gateway
The smart central control screen gateway solution centralizes the control functions of each smart single product on the central control system to realize the linkage control of smart devices. This series of modules supports the Matter protocol, which breaks the barriers between devices of different brands, solves the problem of inability to interconnect and interoperate between smart devices of the Internet of Things, and easily realizes smooth connections in multiple scenarios. At the same time, it can also use touch screen, buttons, voice, mobile app and other control methods to make the user experience more convenient and smooth.
Intelligent sports fitness program
You can build a sports fitness solution which supports multiple protocols such as Wi-Fi/BLE through Ai-M61 series modules, and realizes audio, video and personal sports information such as selection of training mode, real-time transmission of sports data (such as speed, duration, location, calories, etc.) Seamless transmission and sharing between devices, mobile phones, etc., to meet the needs of normal sports and fitness; also supports OTA upgrade function and secondary development, to facilitate subsequent iterations of personalized customized sports modes and functions at any time.
Screen Smart Home Appliances
In home appliance applications, the screen-type smart appliance solutions include “large-screen and micro-screen smart”, which are aimed at different consumer groups and home appliance demands, including multiple categories such as smart range hoods, smart refrigerators, smart air conditioners with screens, air purifiers, etc. . Provide users with functions such as touch screen experience, fault self-inspection, one-key repair report, etc., and also support AT commands. Users can carry out secondary development of customized products that meet their needs according to their needs.
AiM61 Documentation
You can learn more about the module by going through their documentation
I am currently working as an embedded systems design consultant helping companies build custom embedded products and develop test automation solutions for their PCBs.
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