Particle-like wifi configuration
The Particle Photon is a replacement for the Spark Core module. This module was exploiting the Texas Instrument CC3000 chip. It was this chip that handle the very simple and convenient Wi-Fi configuration of the Spark Core. Texas Instrument named this method : SimpleLink.

The Particle Photon is now using a different module than the Core : a Broadcom BCM43362 instead of the CC3000. It's seems to work in a similar manner even if I was not able to find any information on it.

I've found on the George Howkins Depletion Region blog  multiple articles that explain how the CC3000 SimpleLink works.


CC3000 Smart Config - transmitting SSID and keyphrase
CC3000 advertises presence on network via DNS-SD


All the posts : http://depletionregion.blogspot.fr/search?q=smart+config