[split] Better WiFi/BT module?

[moriel5]

If possible, could you please add Intel Wireless-AC 3168 or 3165 modules?
Also Qualcomm Atheros cards would be good.
The main issue with Realtek WiFi, is the the drivers are absolutely horrendous, and usually very unstable (former beta tester here, and Realtek did not seem to care about the quality of their drivers when I spoke with them about it).
Broadcom is also alright, however on Linux the best quality is with Intel and Qualcomm (due to them actually being serious about supporting Linux).

Regarding firmware, Also Realtek utilizes closed-source firmware, so that is not a real reason to go with them.
Realtek being the only option (I do not see any other boards I can connect to the WiFi/BT socket) is currently my main blocker from buying any Pine64 boards (and I'd love to switch over from Raspberry Pis), with my secondary blocker is (for me) inadequate USB I/O (I require at least 4 ports, not including USB-C, so 4 USB2 ports is better for me than 2 USB2 and 1 USB3).

I am interested in AMPAQ's quality though, so if anyone can post about it, I'd be very happy.

By the way, since the RockPro64 already has a PCIe x4 connector, why not start using M.2 for WiFi/BT on future iterations of Pine64 products? This will widen compatibility with more cards, as well as allow for more bandwidth (say if one would wish to use the Intel Wireless-AX 22260 for up to 600Mbts on 2.4Ghz Wireless-AX, or up to ~2400Mbts on 5Ghz Wireless-AX).

[mikeb]

If possible, could you please add Intel Wireless-AC 3168 or 3165 modules?

There are no blobless WiFi AC adapters. Moreover you'd look at "comparison of open source wireless drivers" Wikipedia page, you'll see that all the Intel adapters require the binary blobs to function - and it's really hard to trust Intel after their ME trickery. The best freedom-respecting WiFi adapter is from Atheros ath9k family, AR9462 - and it was a quite wise decision of Librem 5 to pick it. I could only hope that it will be included to a new revision of Pinephone, since it's significantly more affordable.

[moriel5]

If possible, could you please add Intel Wireless-AC 3168 or 3165 modules?

There are no blobless WiFi AC adapters. Moreover you'd look at "comparison of open source wireless drivers" Wikipedia page, you'll see that all the Intel adapters require the binary blobs to function - and it's really hard to trust Intel after their ME trickery. The best freedom-respecting WiFi adapter is from Atheros ath9k family, AR9462 - and it was a quite wise decision of Librem 5 to pick it. I could only hope that it will be included to a new revision of Pinephone, since it's significantly more affordable.

I'm sorry it took me such a long time to see this.

I fully agree with you, back then, it was merely due to the fact that I had not yet tested Qualcomm's offering.

Although even Qualcomm does not truly respect freedom with the ath9k family, as they do burn a proprietary firmware into the silicon (which is better than nothing, though worse than having a flashable firmware with specifications to allow for replacing it, like with the Ortega family of Ethernet adapters (fun fact, I had just ordered several NEC EXP182A cards, which are based upon the BCM5719, just because of that, and I intend to follow the community firmware for the BCM5719), which is a shame.

[moriel5]

Has anyone taken a look at FN-Link and Feasycom?

They look like solid alternatives to Compex and Ampak, and they both have SDIO modules with the QCA9377/QCA1023 chip (QCA1023 is simply a Chinese regional variant of the QCA9377, they are identical).

FN-Link 8223A-SR:
https://www.fn-link.com/8223A-SR-Wi-Fi-M...36492.html

Feasycom FSC-BW101 (they have duplicate pages with this module):
https://www.feasycom.net/bluetooth-wifi-...odule.html

Also, I am seeing SDIO modules with chips from a Chinese manufacturer called AIC. Does anyone know anything about them?