Add WiFi to Kindle DX Graphite - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: idoit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2015, 05:59:40 am
content: Hello all,I was wondering how I can add a WiFi module to my Kindle DX Graphite. There is already someone who added bluetooth module to their DX. It is posted here:http://darron.typepad.com/not-nearly-enough-time/2010/01/hacking-the-amazon-kindle-dx-part-1.html. I want a WiFi module. If anyone experienced with electronics can assist me, I'd appreciate.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2015, 06:17:43 am
content: What do you expect this Wi-Fi module to do?What is described in the article is a simple Bluetooth to UART converter/adapter. It does not buy you much and Kindle itself has no idea that it is there.

author: idoit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2015, 08:44:30 am
content: Well, I'd like to eventually have WiFi capability, just like other Kindle models (e.g. Kindle Keyboard).What do you mean? Darron (the guy with bluetooth tweak) had bluetooth working. So, I'd like to do similar thing with WiFi.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2015, 12:09:50 pm
content: Bluetooth appears to the Kindle and the PC as a virtual serial port, similar to the USB cable connection. For a Wifi interface the Kindle / adapter need to know about Network protocols where to find the host PC, IP addresses etc. It's a completely different situation and software complexity.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2015, 03:13:01 pm
content: I don't know about Kindles in particular but if the SoC has some USB controllers and is running Linux there's a good chance they just left the drivers in the kernel. The rest of the software you may have to create yourself...

author: idoit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2015, 03:43:06 pm
content: @amyk: Kindle DX, for certain, hard-ware wise lacks WiFi module, so I need to add a miniPCI WiFi module on the board. I was wondering if people here can help. I come from software background and know as much about electronics as a cheetah in Iran or a rhino in northern Canada!

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2015, 05:09:27 pm
content: Just forget about it. There is no way you will be able to change the Kindle software to be aware of this Wi-Fi module. It is much cheaper to buy Kindle with Wi-Fi.

author: Nerull
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2015, 05:26:19 pm
content: As others have said, the bluetooth hack didn't add bluetooth to the kindle dx. It stuck a bluetooth-to-serial board inside the case, wired to a serial port on the dx. The dx doesn't interact with the module. It doesn't know about the module. It can't connect to anything through the module - its just a serial port that you can connect to wirelessly. The board in question is designed for use with arduino serial pins, specifically so the arduino doesn't need to know or care about the module. It does not allow the arduino to use any bluetooth features. You can't send files, or audio, its just a serial pipe.If what you want to do is allow the dx to connect to wifi like the newer kindles do, its a whole new level of complexity. Do you imagine a software stack will appear out of nowhere if you can just attach the hardware somehow?