Creating a version of a product using Photon 2 - original product built around Boron

Hardware
1

We have designed a product around the Boron and have deployed it successfully. Our customer is asking if we could make a WiFi only version. When we originally designed the product, I did use the Argon for some testing purposes. The product we designed has the Boron sealed in an enclosure and no way for the customer to press any of the buttons. If I can recall, to get the Argon to connect to WiFi it was necessary to press the buttons on the module to put into some form of mode where a user could select the WiFi that was available and then send over the WiFi password.

I did find the Argon to P2 Migration guide but I didn't see instructions as how I would get the device to connect to WiFi.

Are there any instructions for how to get the Photon 2 to connect to WiFi that I am missing?

2

There are several possibilities for configuring Wi-Fi in Wi-Fi setup options. The methods are the same for the Argon and Photon 2/P2.

3

@rickkas7 - I am looking into a similar project for the Photon2. To set up the WiFi, I tried the USB utility with Chrome and it worked quite well.

However, some locations hide their SSIDs which requires the setHidden() method. Would it be possible to include this setting in the Configure WiFi tool?

Thank you, Chip

4

It should be possible to support hidden Wi-Fi networks from the Configure Wi-Fi tool on the P2/Photon 2/M-SoM only, when the device is running Device OS 5.7.0 or later. Hidden networks are not supported on the Argon. It's going to require an update the particle-usb version used in the docs, so it will take a while to implement and test since it will also affect web device doctor.

5

In our application, our cellular version has already been activated at the factory before being sealed up. We don't know where the products will end up. With cellular, once powered the unit will connect to whatever local cell signal is available.
With WiFi, I think our product would already be sealed and no means of connecting via USB or pushing buttons on the device. That is why I was wondering what functionality could be used to tell the Photon 2 to use X-WiFi (customer's local WiFi) and here is the password.

6

One solution for button-less and cable-less configuration is using a mobile app with Wi-Fi provisioning via BLE. That's included in the WI-Fi configuration options page.