[Arm-netbook] CC3000 Wi-Fi for MCU

[Gordan Bobic]

lkcl luke wrote:
> On Wed, Jan 25, 2012 at 8:49 AM, Vladimir Pantelic <vladoman at gmail.com> wrote:
>> lkcl luke wrote:
>>> On Tue, Jan 24, 2012 at 1:45 AM, jonsmirl at gmail.com<jonsmirl at gmail.com>  wrote:
>>>
>>>>  We have a design which could be switched to a msp430 so I am
>>>>  interested in getting some real pricing data on the CC3000 modules.
>>>   jon.... do you think you could design a FSF-Hardware-Endorseable WIFI
>>> module?  (preferably in Mini PCIe USB form-factor)
>>>
>>>   i've been talking to Dr Richard Stallman and there isn't a single
>>> modern WIFI module available, that i can find, that does *not* require
>>> non-free firmware.
>>>
>>>   if you or anyone else happens to know of one, such a module is
>>> seriously seriously needed, almost regardless of cost.
>>>
>>>   the requirements are that if there is non-free firmware, it *must*
>>> repeat *must* be in "hardware", unmodifiable, untouchable,
>>> un-bypassable.
>> unbugfixable
> 
>  yeah don't remind me.  the policy there is: tough luck, go buy
> another one... just as you would purchase any other piece of broken
> hardware that was also "unfixable".
> 
>  whilst that may sound strange, ask yourself this: how many times do
> you *actually* upgrade WIFI firmware?  and, does it work if you do??
> 
>  for example: i've always found atheros WIFI to be really rather shit,
> and no amount of searching for replacement WIFI firmware actually
> fixes the problem.  usually these are low-cost x86 netbooks that will,
> under no circumstances, connect to very specific makes and models of
> access points.

By that argument, take a ralink chip, put the firmware into flash and 
burn out the fuse that enables writing to it, then modify the driver to 
read the firmware from there.

Yes, it's daft, but no more daft than the current stance.

Gordan