Group: Hardware/Components/WiFi/Atheros
From LibrePlanet
< Group:Hardware | Components | WiFi
(→Introduction: the list is what works with free software) |
m (It's software, general rewording added some tidbits of interesting information.) |
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
| − | Many older Atheros WiFi | + | Many older Atheros WiFi chips work with free software: |
| − | * carl1970: Has a free driver and | + | * carl1970: Has a free driver and free peripheral software. USB only. They support Legacy 5GHz modes and 2.4 GHz. |
| − | * ath5k: Compatible with PCI, PCI-E, PCMCIA and/or pc-card. | + | * ath5k: Compatible with PCI, PCI-E, PCMCIA and/or pc-card. They don't use a microprocessor. They support WiFi A, B, G. |
| − | * ath9k: compatible with PCI, PCIe, PCMCIA and/or pc-card, and present in some Atheros | + | * ath9k: compatible with PCI, PCIe, PCMCIA and/or pc-card, and present in some Atheros SoCs for WiFi access points. Supports 2.4GHz and newer 5GHz and WiFi A,B,G,N. The hardware doesn't need any peripheral software: some timing sensitive part of the protocol (like sending ack under 10ms) are implemented in hardware. It is also possible to control a lot of the aspects of the WiFi by talking to the hardware (for instance it's possible to have Q/I through some debug interface, make the hardware work on other frequencies if you're a radio ham with a valid license, etc). |
| − | * ath9k_htc: Has a free driver and | + | * ath9k_htc: Has a free driver and free peripheral software (for the usb-PCIe bridge). USB only, supports WiFi B,G,N and 2.4GHz only. |
| − | ** The think penguin version requires 500mA, no device will work with known Replicant tablets | + | ** The think penguin version requires 500mA, no device will work with known Replicant tablets, as they can provide only 100mA or 200mA: AR9271 itself needs ~200mA, Unex DNUA-93F (rebranded by Tehnoetic and Think Penguin?) can use 300mA. |
Revision as of 11:45, 10 June 2024
Introduction
Many older Atheros WiFi chips work with free software:
- carl1970: Has a free driver and free peripheral software. USB only. They support Legacy 5GHz modes and 2.4 GHz.
- ath5k: Compatible with PCI, PCI-E, PCMCIA and/or pc-card. They don't use a microprocessor. They support WiFi A, B, G.
- ath9k: compatible with PCI, PCIe, PCMCIA and/or pc-card, and present in some Atheros SoCs for WiFi access points. Supports 2.4GHz and newer 5GHz and WiFi A,B,G,N. The hardware doesn't need any peripheral software: some timing sensitive part of the protocol (like sending ack under 10ms) are implemented in hardware. It is also possible to control a lot of the aspects of the WiFi by talking to the hardware (for instance it's possible to have Q/I through some debug interface, make the hardware work on other frequencies if you're a radio ham with a valid license, etc).
- ath9k_htc: Has a free driver and free peripheral software (for the usb-PCIe bridge). USB only, supports WiFi B,G,N and 2.4GHz only.
- The think penguin version requires 500mA, no device will work with known Replicant tablets, as they can provide only 100mA or 200mA: AR9271 itself needs ~200mA, Unex DNUA-93F (rebranded by Tehnoetic and Think Penguin?) can use 300mA.
