1. Overview

The Wixel shield seamlessly enables a wireless link (with a typical range of ~50 feet) to replace your Arduino’s USB interface, which means you can use the standard Arduino computer software to:

• wirelessly program the Arduino (this feature is not available with the Arduino Leonardo).
• wirelessly debug sketches with the Arduino serial monitor.
• wirelessly communicate with the Arduino from your computer’s virtual COM port.

More generally, the shield can also be used for wireless communication between an Arduino or Arduino clone and other embedded systems (including additional Arduinos). Alternatively, this board can also be used without an Arduino as a general-purpose Wixel prototyping board.

The Wixel shield does not interfere with the Arduino’s existing USB circuitry, so the Arduino’s traditional wired USB connection can still be used while the shield is connected.

Wireless communication requires a pair of Wixels, which are sold separately or as part of a Wixel shield combination deal. Neither the Wixel shield nor the shield combination deal include an Arduino.

Example Applications

The Wixel shield for Arduino opens the door for many new Arduino projects. Here are just a few project ideas:

• Program, debug/fine-tune, and control your Arduino-based robot without having to touch it.
• Stream data from a remote sensor (e.g. your outdoor weather station) to your computer or Arduino.
• Build a wireless remote control for your Arduino project.
• Maintain projects installed in hard-to-reach places or places where wires and cables would be impractical.
• Enable communication among a swarm of Arduino-based robots or a field of interactive elements (requires additional Wixel development).
• Use the Wixel as a secondary, parallel processor to add more computing power, I/O lines, and hardware peripherals to your Arduino (requires additional Wixel development).

Advanced users can write programs for their Wixels to make use of the its 12 free general-purpose I/O lines, including 5 analog inputs, or to develop more complex wireless communication networks.