Setting up ath6kl

Kernel configuration

Starting from Linux kernel 3.2 ath6kl is available from kernel menuconfig:

-> Device Drivers
 -> Network device support (NETDEVICES [=y])
  -> Wireless LAN (WLAN [=y])
   -> Atheros Wireless Cards (ATH_COMMON [=y])
    -> Atheros mobile chipsets support (ATH6KL [=m])

Or alternatively search for CONFIG_ATH6KL.

Suspend

ath6kl supports various suspend which can be controlled with two module parameters, suspend_mode and wow_mode.

suspend_mode makes it possible to force a certain mode when host suspends:

value	mode
0	automatic (default)
1	cutpower
2	deepsleep
3	wow

Definion of different suspend modes:

; automatic  : the suspend mode is chosen based on host hardware capabilities
; cutpower  : the chip is powered off for maximum power savings and hence resume is slower
; deepsleep  : the firmware is running on the chip but is kept
; wow  : if ath6kl is connected to an AP device will maintain the connection with Wake-on-WLAN feature while host is suspended

If wow mode is enabled it’s possible to choose different wow submode with wow_mode parameter:

value	mode
0	default
1	cutpower when disconnected
2	deepsleep when disconnected

Definion of different wow modes:

; default  : Chooses the default mode from below which is subject to change.
; cutpower  :

If ath6kl is not connected to an AP the power is cut from the wifi chip. If connected to an AP WoW mode is used:

; deepsleep  :

If ath6kl is not connected to an AP the firmware is put to low power deep sleep state. If connected to an AP WoW mode is used.