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How-To WLAN

Description

The AL Pi-Tron CM5 is also available with WLAN. The recommended external antenna is the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 Antenna Kit which is certified for use with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5.

Radio Module Required

The Compute Module 5 must be a variant that includes a radio module, otherwise the use of WLAN directly with the device is not possible. Furthermore by default the CM5 radio module uses the internal PCB antenna and not the external one. A manual activation of the ext. antenna is needed. See below.

al-pi-tron-cm4-wlan

Requirements

  • Pi-Tron CM5 with WLAN
  • Compute Module 5 Antenna Kit
  • Depending on the model of the Pi-Tron CM5, the antenna kit can be included with the device.
  • If the Pi-Tron CM5 with WLAN did not come with an external antenna, obtain one separately.
  • For proper operation this antenna kit is required.
  • The antenna must be screwed onto the antenna connection of the AL Pi-Tron CM5 at the side of the housing.
  • 24 volts power supply with 2 pin power plug for the Pi-Tron CM5.
  • To login into the Pi-Tron CM5 via network, it is requires that the SSH server is running.

How-To

By default the Compute Module 5 wireless radio module uses an internal PCB antenna, which is in comparison to the ext. Antenna Kit fairly small and not intended for use if the module is encased in a housing. The Raspberry Pi OS has to be instructed manually to use the external antenna instead of the internal one.

To activate the ext. antenna an additional parameter is needed in the config.txt: 

sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt

At the end of the file add:

dtparam=ant2

For further information regarding this parameter, see the Compute Module 5 datasheet, chapter 2.1 Wireless.

Restrictions