ZeroG Wi-Fi Networking

Question 1. Does ZeroG provide an IP address for its chips and modules?
Answer. The IP address is acquired as part of the stack running on the host. Every ZeroG chip and module will have a MAC address pre-programmed. The ZeroG OUI is 00-0C-1E.

Question 2. Can the ZG2100 support roaming (handoff) across access points?
Answer. Yes, ZeroG's embedded Wi-Fi can support this function, but initial releases will not. This requires the radio to do a "connection with re-association request". Enterprise APs support this feature by negotiating the hand off with each other, but residential gateways do not. This operation requires a client to detect a better signal that is from an acceptable AP (we support that), and then send a special request for connection identifying that it is already associated. The target AP then gets the MAC address of the originally associated AP. The current and target APs then handshake to transfer information to allow handoff. Once this is done, an acknowledgement phase will occur, and the target will assume the client.

Question 3. Can the ZG2100 on-chip processor support application code?
Answer. No, designers should not rely on the ZG2100 on-chip processor to support full application code. The ZG2100 is not designed to run an application code.

Question 4. How and when is the MAC address programmed into your chip?
Answer. The MAC address is programmed into the chip during production. In the case that the host processor has a pre-defined MAC address, the customer can choose to select this pre-defined MAC address or use the MAC address that is set in the ZeroG Wi-Fi module.

Question 5. Does your device support 802.11e?
Answer. No, ZeroG's chips and modules for embedded Wi-Fi do not support 802.11e.

Question 6. When used for appliance control, can the ZG2100 Wi-Fi modules control multiple similar devices on the same network without obstruction?
Answer. Yes. Each appliance will have its own IP address, and the controller could either be permanently associated with a particular one, or could select dynamically which one to control.

Question 7. What is 802.11s and does ZG2100 support it?
Answer. 802.11s is an addendum to 802.11 to define how wireless client devices can interconnect in mesh network. However, 802.11s has not been fully defined and currently not a standard.

Question 8. The ZG2100M Wi-Fi module is based on 802.11b. Does a device built from 802.11b slow down the 802.11g network?
Answer. ZeroG ZG2100M 802.11b Wi-Fi modules support 1 & 2 Mbps data rates and typical applications that use ZeroG modules do not have big impact on a "G" network are because they are required to send very small amount of data at any instance in time. Often, these devices wake up, send and retrieve small bits of data, and then go to sleep. At low data rates, 802.11b devices can co-exist along with 802.11g devices and do not produce an impact to the overall network. Please see AN102 Optimizing the 802.11b-g Network Throughput" for supported documentation.