Realtek RTL8710 WiFi IoT modules came out as potential competitors to ESP8266 modules last month, with similar features. an ARM Cortex M3, and a pricing as low as $2 in quantities. However, documentation is often in Chinese only, and based on my experience with an RTL8710AF module limited to AT commands set for now. Software and documentation are likely to improve a lot however, as Pine64, the makers of Pine A64 boards, are about to launch their own “PADI IoT Stamp” RTL8710AF module for just $1.99 in any quantities.
PADI IoT Stamp specifications:
- SoC – Realtek RTL8710AF ARM Cortex-M3 @ 83 MHz with 1MB ROM, 512KB RAM, and 1MB flash
- Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n WiFi @ 2.4 GHz – 2.5 GHz (2400 MHz – 2483.5 MHz) with PCB antenna; Station / SoftAP / SoftAP + Station modes;
- Expansion headers – 22 half-holes with
- Up to 1x SPI @ 41.5 Mbps max
- Up to 3x UART with 2x up to 4Mbps, 1x @ 38400 bps
- Up to 4x PWM
- Up to 1x I2C @ 3.4 Mbps max
- Up to 19 GPIOs including 10 supporting interrupts
- Power Supply – 3.0 to 3.6V (3.3V recommended)
- Power Consumption – 87 mA typ. @ 3.3V using 802.11b 11 Mbps, +17 dBm; 0.9 mA light sleep; 10 uA deep sleep; More details on Section 6 of the datasheet.
- Dimensions – 24 x 16 mm
- Temperature range – -20 ℃ ~ 85 ℃
If the hardware looks familiar, it’s because it also most the same as B&T RTL-00 module. However, I’ve been told it might not be 100% compatible, so mixing firmware for different modules may potentially brick them. The module can be programmed and debugged using IAR, openOCD, and/or J-Link, and it supports firmware updates via UART, OTA, and JTAG. Currently, the company provides a download link to Ameba Standard SDK based on FreeRTOS and LWIP, but ARM mbed 5.0 support is planned in the coming months. [Update:Ameba RTL8710AF SDK ver v3.5a GCC ver 1.0.0- without NDA has been uploaded recently] Configuration can be done through AT Commands, Cloud Server, or Android / iOS mobile app.
You’ll find documentation in English and tools on PADI IoT Stamp product page, including the datasheet, a guide start guide with AT commands, Ameba SDK 3.4b3, and some tools and drivers for the serial console. The module will officially launch on September 14th, and you’ll be able to purchase it for $1.99 plus shipping. The company is also working on a breadboard-friendly NodeMCU like board featuring PADI IoT Stamp, but I don’t have further info about this board at this stage.
In somewhat other news, some people submitted both RTL8710AF and RTL8711AF processors to a X-Ray machine, and while the latter has more features such as NFC support, it appears both SoCs look exactly the same under X-Ray, so RTL8710AF might actually have the exact same features, but they are just disabled.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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trouble pcb layout (pinout) 🙁
made by drunk schoolboy ?
@2mike
It’s roughly the same as ESP-12 module.
This is nice, a certified module with good production quality and cheap. But really wish they went for RTL8711AM instead.
Could be made nice if ESP Easy firmware was ported to this.
Where’s the link to the RTL8710AF and RTL8711AF die shots?
@Jon Smirl
Just talk, no link. I’ll see if I can get it.
Where can I buy it? Buy button on their website gives 404 not found !!
@naushit
It will launch on September 14, 12:00AM PST. You need to wait a few days before being able to purchase it.
anyone known, if rtl8710 throughput is better than esp8266?
and how about sensitivity?
pd: cnlohr range test reach +800m, so esp8266 -98dbm is real.
If the pine64 folks live up to their reputation, these should start shipping in January and documentation will be obtainable in June of 2017. Sorry, not giving them another penny.
Hopefully shipping cost doesn’t suck. After all, if I recall they do ship from China. I just ordered a bunch of ESP-12F’s, and paid roughly 50 cents less w/ free shipping. That said, an ARM ESP-like would be nice to have.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
They’ve announced it today, but will only start selling it at the end of September finally.