2012-04-05 18:19:17

by David H. Lynch Jr.

[permalink] [raw]
Subject: N device with open source firmware

I am looking for recommendations for an 802.11N device that is well
documented and has opensource firmware for a project. I do nto care
whether it is mPCI, USB, .... so long as there is good documentation on
the chipset and good open source firmware as I will be making extensive
firmware changes for testing purposes.


Thanks



2012-04-07 20:23:53

by David H. Lynch Jr.

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Subject: Re: N device with open source firmware

On Fri, 2012-04-06 at 15:33 -0700, Adrian Chadd wrote:
> On 6 April 2012 08:30, David Lynch Jr. <[email protected]> wrote:
> > I was not seeking to impugn the linux-wireless AR9170 support, just
> > looking to see what additional alternatives exist before starting a
> > major project that will require substantial firmware work.
> >
> > My complaints with respect to its "openness" regard Atheros.
> >
> > I was hoping for a mini-PCI device.
>
> Ah. There's (as far as I know) no Atheros mini-PCI device that runs firmware.
>
> > The AR9170 has open source firmware - but the hardware documentation is
> > proprietary.
>
> There's an open source NDA process at QCA now. Sign the NDA, get
> access to documentation. Done/done.

I have AR9170 documentation covered by a different NDA with a prior
client. That probably had an NDA with atheros.

I do not like NDAs but will sign them where necescary.

What i am asking is is there an alternative N device besides the AR9170
that one way or another has support in depth - hardware information,
firmware, etc.

I am gathering that the AR9170 is currently the N hardware with the best
information. Atleast i am already familiar with it.


>
>
>
> Adrian



2012-04-06 11:26:37

by Christian Lamparter

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Subject: Re: N device with open source firmware

On Friday 06 April 2012 05:09:03 David Lynch Jr. wrote:
> On Fri, 2012-04-06 at 13:00 +1000, Julian Calaby wrote:
> > If I recall correctly, the ar9170 devices with the carl9170 driver use
> > an open source firmware and are 802.11n capable.
>
> I have a fair amount of experience with the ar9170 and the carl9170
> firmware. I was hoping something was better documented and supported.
why? is there anything wrong with AR9170 support? If so, please tell me.

Regards,
Chr

2012-04-06 03:00:32

by Julian Calaby

[permalink] [raw]
Subject: Re: N device with open source firmware

Hi David,

On Fri, Apr 6, 2012 at 04:15, David Lynch Jr. <[email protected]> wrote:
> I am looking for recommendations for an 802.11N device that is well
> documented and has opensource firmware for a project. ?I do nto care
> whether it is mPCI, USB, .... so long as there is good documentation on
> the chipset and good open source firmware as I will be making extensive
> firmware changes for testing purposes.

If I recall correctly, the ar9170 devices with the carl9170 driver use
an open source firmware and are 802.11n capable.

There was also an effort to produce a open source firmware for
broadcom devices, but I'm not sure what it's status is and what
progress they made.

Also, there's a GSoC project to open source the firmware for the USB
ath9k devices, (ath9k_htc) but I don't think any progress has been
made.

Thanks,

--
Julian Calaby

Email: [email protected]
Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/julian.calaby/
.Plan: http://sites.google.com/site/juliancalaby/

2012-04-06 15:34:02

by David H. Lynch Jr.

[permalink] [raw]
Subject: Re: N device with open source firmware

I was not seeking to impugn the linux-wireless AR9170 support, just
looking to see what additional alternatives exist before starting a
major project that will require substantial firmware work.

My complaints with respect to its "openness" regard Atheros.

I was hoping for a mini-PCI device.
The AR9170 has open source firmware - but the hardware documentation is
proprietary.

I am not looking to spark a debate, just determine what options exist.
And more options is better.




On Fri, 2012-04-06 at 13:26 +0200, Christian Lamparter wrote:
> On Friday 06 April 2012 05:09:03 David Lynch Jr. wrote:
> > On Fri, 2012-04-06 at 13:00 +1000, Julian Calaby wrote:
> > > If I recall correctly, the ar9170 devices with the carl9170 driver use
> > > an open source firmware and are 802.11n capable.
> >
> > I have a fair amount of experience with the ar9170 and the carl9170
> > firmware. I was hoping something was better documented and supported.
> why? is there anything wrong with AR9170 support? If so, please tell me.
>
> Regards,
> Chr



2012-04-06 03:12:30

by David H. Lynch Jr.

[permalink] [raw]
Subject: Re: N device with open source firmware

On Fri, 2012-04-06 at 13:00 +1000, Julian Calaby wrote:
> Hi David,
>
> On Fri, Apr 6, 2012 at 04:15, David Lynch Jr. <[email protected]> wrote:
> > I am looking for recommendations for an 802.11N device that is well
> > documented and has opensource firmware for a project. I do nto care
> > whether it is mPCI, USB, .... so long as there is good documentation on
> > the chipset and good open source firmware as I will be making extensive
> > firmware changes for testing purposes.
>
> If I recall correctly, the ar9170 devices with the carl9170 driver use
> an open source firmware and are 802.11n capable.

I have a fair amount of experience with the ar9170 and the carl9170
firmware. I was hoping something was better documented and supported.
But I can live with that if i have to.

thank you.
>
> There was also an effort to produce a open source firmware for
> broadcom devices, but I'm not sure what it's status is and what
> progress they made.
>
> Also, there's a GSoC project to open source the firmware for the USB
> ath9k devices, (ath9k_htc) but I don't think any progress has been
> made.
>
> Thanks,
>



2012-04-06 22:33:25

by Adrian Chadd

[permalink] [raw]
Subject: Re: N device with open source firmware

On 6 April 2012 08:30, David Lynch Jr. <[email protected]> wrote:
> I was not seeking to impugn the linux-wireless AR9170 support, just
> looking to see what additional alternatives exist before starting a
> major project that will require substantial firmware work.
>
> My complaints with respect to its "openness" regard Atheros.
>
> I was hoping for a mini-PCI device.

Ah. There's (as far as I know) no Atheros mini-PCI device that runs firmware.

> The AR9170 has open source firmware - but the hardware documentation is
> proprietary.

There's an open source NDA process at QCA now. Sign the NDA, get
access to documentation. Done/done.



Adrian