Realtek RTL8710 could eventually become a serious competitor to ESP8266, as it’s based on ARM Cortex M3, provides many of the same features, and sells for roughly the same price. While currently software support is still work in progress and community is very small, I’ve recently written a quick start guide using AT commands to control RTL8710 connectivity in station and access point mode, and commands are also available for GPIO, OTA firmware updates, servers… This however requires some soldering and a USB to TTL debug board, and is not quite as convenient as ESP8266 board like NodeMCU. Some RTL8710 and RTL8195 development boards are already available but they cost over $25, but I’ve been informed of a cheap no-name RTL8710 board with a micro USB port for programming and power, and well as headers with GPIOs, UARTs, NFC, and power pins, that looks somewhat similar to ESP8266 Witty board.
RTL8710 “Witty” development board specifications:
- WiSoC – Realtek RTL8710 ARM Cortex M3 MCU with 802.11 b/g/n connectivity
- Serial to TTL Chip – CH340G
- Expansion headers – 2x 13 pin with GPIOs, I2C, UART, SPI, NFC, and power signals (5V, 3.3V, GND)
- Misc – RGB LED, temperature sensor, photo resistor, and button
- Power – 5V via micro USB port, 3.3V via header
- Dimensions – TBD
I’ve asked one Aliexpress seller whether it would be breadboard compatible, but they did not manage to answer my question. [Update: After estimating dimensions with pictures, it will most likely not be breadboard friendly]
They did try to help however, by first sending some software manual with AT commands, followed by schematics and PCB layout pictures, all of which you can find here.
You can purchase for board for $8.82 on Aliexpress including shipping, and it’s also sold on Taobao for 35 RMB ($5.26). shipped in China. [Update: The board is also on eBay for $7.99 shipped]
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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probably wont fit a breadboard, looks to wide
@TC
Yes, you must be right… I’ve just check the measurement with my RTL8710 module. It’s 1.5cm, and based on measurements on the screen, the board looks double.. So 3 cm. That means it will probably be breadboard-friendly like the first NodeMCU board (v0.9)… It will fit but you can’t connect your own wires…
I wonder if there will easy development tools and SDK available like the ones on ESP8266. Because if we are stuck with AT firmware, it will be a flop.
@Martin
As discussed in http://www.cnx-software.com/2016/08/01/development-resources-for-realtek-ameba-rtl8710-rtl8711-and-rtl8195-wifi-socs/, there’s an SDK, but I have not tested it. It’s been designed for Amena Arduino board, but also works with RTL8710. There may be some issues with licenses though, as part of the code requires Realtek written permission to use it, despite it being made available without NDA.
It’s also on eBay for $7.99 shipped -> http://www.ebay.com/itm/RTL8710-Wireless-WiFi-Transceiver-Module-Test-Development-Board-for-Arduino-/291847394912
Missing ADC pin, it’s not like ESP8266. Be carefull.
“[Update: After estimating dimensions with pictures, it will most likely not be breadboard friendly]”
Right, that was the same problem as for the Witty esp8266 based, it was not mini-breadboard friendly, while the Wemos D1mini was leaving 2 rows on each side of the breadboard, and was breadboard friendly.
For the SDK, there is a Facebook group for the Ameba board, but they don’t want to officially support the RTL8710 because it does not have “video”.
@cnxsoft is there a tool to upload some code to the board?
@zoobab
I have not really checked into it much further myself. But people are working on OpenOCD and mbed in RTL8710 forums.
mbed -> https://www.rtl8710forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=15&p=55
OpenOCD -> https://www.rtl8710forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=12
Updated post with link to ICStation, as it’s sold for $5.99 there.
Edit: They’ve removed the link for some reasons.