WiFi¶
Issue¶
On desktops and laptops, several WiFi chips don't require non-free firmwares to be loaded.
Several cases exist:
- The WiFi chip doesn't need a firmware, and the driver talks directly to the hardware (ath5k and ath9k compatible chips)
- The WiFi chip has a free software firmware (ath9k_htc, carl1970, and some b43 compatible chips)
- The WiFi chip has a non-free firmware in a flash chip and don't need loadable firmware.
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.
Summary of devices currently targeted by Replicant¶
| Device |
WiFi chip |
driver(s) |
USB OTG Host |
| GTA04 |
Marvell 8686 (W2CBW003) |
libertas_sdio(mainline, cfg80211) |
Yes(?mA) |
| libertas_tf_sdio(patches, mac80211) |
| LG Optimus Black |
Broadcom BCM4329 |
|
Yes(?mA) |
Internal WiFi chips on devices currently targeted by Replicant¶
Available Internal WiFi chips for smartphones and tablets¶
External Wifi solution¶