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WiFiResearch » History » Version 29

Denis 'GNUtoo' Carikli, 02/03/2016 04:02 PM

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h1. WiFi
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h2. Issue
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On desktops and laptops, several WiFi chips don't require non-free firmwares to be loaded.
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Several cases exist:
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* The WiFi chip doesn't need a firmware, and the driver talks directly to the hardware (ath5k and ath9k compatible chips)
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* The WiFi chip has a free software firmware (ath9k_htc, carl1970, and some b43 compatible chips)
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* The WiFi chip has a non-free firmware in a flash chip and don't need loadable firmware.
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On phones, the only WiFi chip that don't requires a non-free firmware that we know of is the OpenMoko FreeRunner wifi chip. The firmware is in a flash chip.
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h2. Summary of devices currently targeted by Replicant
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|_. Device |_. WiFi chip |_. driver(s) |_. USB OTG Host |
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|/2. GTA04 |/2. Marvell 8686 (W2CBW003) | libertas_sdio(mainline, cfg80211) | Yes(?mA) |
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| libertas_tf_sdio(patches, mac80211) |
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|/2. LG Optimus Black |/2. Broadcom BCM4329 |/2. | Yes(?mA) |
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With wifi driver, either the firmware implements the wifi operations (scanning, association, and so on), either the driver implements it.
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When the driver implements it, the 
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h2. Internal WiFi chips on devices currently targeted by Replicant
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h2. Available Internal WiFi chips for smartphones and tablets
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h2. External Wifi solution