Group: Hardware/Components/WiFi/Atheros

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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, AR9271 itself needs ~200mA and Unex DNUA-93F (rebranded by Tehnoetic and Think Penguin?) can use 300mA. Many Replicant tablets can provide only 100mA or 200mA, although some can provide more, but high battery drain is still an issue [1] [2]
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