Suggestions on low-cost Linux/ARM-friendly WiFi module or chipset...

Hello,

May I obtain your recommendation on a Linux + ARM friendly WiFi module
or chipset?

The solution we=92re looking for must have the following features:
-	WiFi features: 802.11b + 802.11g with WPA & WEP encryption.
-	Driver: Binary driver built for Linux+ARM9 *or* Driver source
buildable for Linux 2.6.28.2
-	Electronic Interface: SDIO (strongly) preferred, then parallel bus,
then SPI, and least preferred: USB
-	Physical interface: SMD-mounting (strongly) preferred, then SD-card,
then USB stick
-	Size: Smaller the better (especially on =91thickness=92), but not
critical.
-	Power efficiency: Irrelevant / Not critical.
-	Cost: Extremely critical!!
-	Range: The greater the better, but low-cost is much more important.
-	Antenna considerations: Small built-in chip antenna preferred.
External whip antenna a minus.

Working backwards on this from the currently available drivers (we=92re
building our Linux image ontop OpenWRT for the $2.80 NXP LPC313x), the
following drivers are =91easily accessible=92 in OpenWRT=85 but we have yet
to find the low-cost manufacturers that can provide the physical WiFi
solution itself=85


kmod-libertas............................ Marvell 88W8015 Wireless
Driver
kmod-mac80211..................... Linux 802.11 Wireless Networking
Stack
kmod-mac80211-hwsim........................ mac80211 HW simulation
device
kmod-p54-common................................. Prism54 Drivers
(COMMON)
kmod-p54-usb....................................... Prism54 Drivers
(USB)
kmod-rt2500-usb............. Ralink Drivers for RT2x00 cards (RT2500
USB)
kmod-rt2800-usb............. Ralink Drivers for RT2x00 cards (RT2870
USB)
kmod-rt2x00-lib.................... Ralink Drivers for RT2x00 cards
(LIB)
kmod-rt2x00-usb.................... Ralink Drivers for RT2x00 cards
(USB)
kmod-rt73-usb................. Ralink Drivers for RT2x00 cards (RT73
USB)
kmod-zd1211rw....................................... Zydas ZD1211
support

In addition, searching through the list of drivers at Linux Wireless,
we were impressed by the comprehensive selection but =96 as device
prices are not listed =96 it is very difficult to ascertain which
inexpensive WiFi solution can run on our board.

Finally, as the cost of the total WiFi solution is so important, our
=91upper range=92 for cost is about $11 per interface (1K qty), as our
=91plan B=92 is simply to insert one of the many $13 USB-WiFi interface
(such as those found on eBay) inside the product enclosure.  Some
questions:

Q1: Given our above-stated needs=85 which do you recommend: the =91module
approach=92, the =91chipset approach=92 or the =91insert consumer product=
=92
approach?

Q2: What is the =91most famous=92 / =91most supported=92 Linux/ARM-friendly
low-cost WiFi solution currently available?

Q3: Can you recommend some low-cost (Taiwanese / Chinese) WiFi
manufacturers that supplies low-cost Linux-compatible solutions?

Q4: For reference, what do you think is the cost of the =91absolute
lowest cost=92 WiFi solution currently available?

Many thanks for any hint / suggestion you can provide!

   Jean-Pierre

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