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Functional Block Diagram

For the purpose of this report, a simplified WLAN and Wi-Fi AP block diagram is used to illustrate the logic and translation use cases, see Simplified Block Diagram for WLAN and Wi-Fi access points. Each red block has an associated use-case document. Links are provided in Table 1-1 and Table 1-2. For a more complete block diagram, see the interactive online end equipment reference diagram for WLAN/Wi-Fi access point.

Logic and Translation Use Cases

Each use case is linked to a separate short document that provides additional details including a block diagram, design tips, and part recommendations. The nearest block and use-case identifiers are listed to match up exactly to the use cases shown in the provided simplified block diagram.

Driving Indicator LEDs with Shift Registers

Most, if not all, WLAN and Wi-Fi access points have multiple LED indicators on the front panel to help users see the current status of the device. These usually include power, internet connectivity, and physical ethernet port usage among other indicators.

Using shift registers with output registers like the SN74HCS595 it is easy to control any number of indicator LEDs while only using three outputs from the system controller. Two of the pins can even be shared with an existing SPI mode 0 bus if it is available in the system.

If using SPI bus, replace GPIO1 with SCLK and GPIO2 with SDO. The shift registers will always be loading data from the SPI clock to their internal registers, however the outputs will only change when GPIO 3 transition from low to high, so it is easy to control the 595 devices even with other devices on the SPI bus. Just sent 1 byte (8 bits) of data per shift register on the SPI bus to configure them, then pulse RCLK to save those values to the output registers and drive the indicator LEDs. This process can be done very quickly with the SN74HCS595, supporting clock speeds up to 110 MHz (typical) with a 5-V supply and 74 MHz (typical) with a 3.3-V supply. At 10 MHz (0.1 μs period), it only takes 1.6 μs to load 16 bits to the shift registers shown in Figure 1-2, and another 0.1 μs to pulse RCLK to move those values to the output registers.

For more details, please see the application report .

See more about similar use cases in the application report Designing with Shift Registers and the Logic Minute video Increase the Number of Outputs on a Microcontroller.

• Shift registers can be daisy chained to provide any number of additional outputs
• The supply voltage must be larger than the required forward voltage on the selected LEDs
• Choose resistor values based on the supply (V_CC), forward voltage (V_F) and operating current (I_D) of the LEDs per the following equation: $R=\frac{V_{CC}-V_F}{I_D}$
• Limit total current consumption to the data sheet specification for maximum current through V_CC or GND
• For additional current drive capability, external buffers can be added
• Need additional assistance? Ask our engineers a question on the TI E2E? Logic Support Forum

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