The wireless mouse has traditionally been an example of a device on a wireless Personal Area Network or PAN. For reasons of low data rate, short range, and requirement of long battery life, it has largely used proprietary wireless protocols or Bluetooth. However, with the increase in the number of wireless Human Interface Devices (HIDs), there has been a need to bring in a more versatile method – and one that also provides higher capacity to handle varied needs of the HIDs.

A wireless mouse that uses 802.11 Wi-Fi to communicate with the host laptop or desktop computer primarily uses the ad-hoc or IBSS mode of connection. However, a normal infrastructure mode can also be used. Redpine’s 802.11n Wi-Fi module for the wireless mouse application – RS9110-N-11-61 provides an ideal platform for the implementation of a long battery life, high performance wireless mouse. The module provides complete 802.11n functionality with self-contained firmware and low power consumption. The module also includes an ultra low power microcontroller that provides for the dynamic control of the wireless link, taking into consideration the operational mode of the mouse – identifying user activity and arriving at the most optimal power state of the system. For a normal usage pattern in an office environment, a Wi-Fi mouse built using RS9110-N-11-61 would provide over one year of battery life.