2.4.1 WLAN

The Linux WLAN implements Linux software-specific operations:

• Controls the Wi-Fi® Link Controller device power
• Initializes the chip
• Downloads and starts the firmware
• Initializes/de-initializes the module during insert/remove
• Registers Interrupt Service Register (ISR)
• Sends configuration packets
• Turns ON and turns OFF the chip by controlling the CHIP_EN and RESET_N GPIOs
• Registers the net_device interface
• Processes TX Queue, sending packets to the firmware
• Receives packets from the firmware and delivers received packets to the Linux stack
• Implements the following net_device operations:
  • mac_init_fn: This function will be called automatically by OS when module inserted
  • wilc_mac_open: This function is called when this device is set up using the ifconfig command or on starting the wpa_supplicant service
  • wilc_mac_close: This function is called when the network interface is down (for example, ifconfig wlan0 down)
  • wilc_mac_xmit: Sends packet to MAC hardware
  • mac_stats: Reads MAC statistics
  • wilc_set_multicast_list: Sets the multicast list through WID
  • wilc_set_mac_addr: Sets the network interface MAC address