Application of Wi-Fi Communication Between FPGA and Microcontroller

This paper provides implementation, design and application of Wi-Fi communication between microcontrollers and FPG A. Due to high speed and long-distance coverage, Wi-Fi modules have become preferred in wireless communication over Bluetooth and RF modules. Embedded systems containing both microcontrollers and FPGA utilize each for specific tasks. Microcontrollers are more user friendly and can be used to collect information from peripherals. FPGA utilizes parallel data processing which allows it to have significantly higher processing speed than a sequential device using the same clock. An FPGA can be used as a central processing unit for microcontrollers that improves system performance and frees up microcontrollers from cycle intensive tasks. This project describes a digital notice board using Microcontroller-FPGA communication. The microcontroller receives text data from user through a UART interface with a computer and sends it to its Wi-Fi Module. The module transmits the text data using UDP protocol, where it is received by the Wi-Fi module connected to the FPGA. The FPGA is able to interpret this data and send proper display control to the RGB LED matrix panel. This paper describes methodology of sending text from microcontroller to FPGA using Wi-Fi, then displaying it into RGB Matrix panel.