WIFI-5 - OEM WiFi USB module (Mediatek MT7601U)

WIFI-5 is an USB 2.0 module compliant with IEEE802.11 b/g/n. It is based on a MediaTek MT7601U chip and fully supported by the latest Kernel Linux versions. It can be mounted directly on a PCB instead of plugged in a USB port.

This module is available in two versions:

  • WIFI-5 which needs an external RF antenna plugged on the i-PEX MHF receptacle
  • WIFI-5-IA without the i-PEX MHF receptacle using the onboard PCB antenna

Both models are available with a 6 pin pitch 2mm solded on semi-holes to be plugged on a female connector or welded directly on the PCB.

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Datasheets

Linux Kernel configuration

This are the driver to enable inside the Linux Kernel to support the wifi module. Follow these articles to know how to compile the Linux kernel:

To change the Kernel configuration use this command on your Linux PC as described on this article:

make ARCH=arm menuconfig

Thanks set these items:

Device Drivers  --->
  [*] USB support  ---> 
    <*> USB Wireless Device Management support

and these:

Device Drivers > 
  Network device support > 
    Wireless LAN [*]
        [*]   MediaTek devices                                                                          │ │  
        <*>     MediaTek MT7601U (USB) support

Package installation

A closed firmware made by RaLink need to be installed. This firmware will be loaded on the module at startup

Change this line in /etc/apt/sources.list

deb http://cdn.debian.net/debian/ buster main

in

deb http://cdn.debian.net/debian/ buster main contrib non-free

then update the package index by typing

sudo apt update
sudo apt install firmware-ralink

Install iw and wpasupplicant using make menuconfig:

sudo apt install wpasupplicant
sudo apt install iw

Network configuration to get access to a WPA-WPA2-protected Wi-Fi

Add, inside the directory /etc/network/interfaces.d a file called wlan0 by typing:

sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces.d/wlan0

Write these lines and save:

allow-hotplug wlan0
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
    wireless-essid any
    pre-up wpa_supplicant -i wlan0 -c /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf -B
    post-down killall -q wpa_supplicant

Create a file called /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf that contains your access point name and password.

sudo nano /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf

Write these lines and save:

ctrl_interface=/var/run/wpa_supplicant
ap_scan=1

network={
    ssid="acmetest"
    psk="acmetest"
}

Alternatively it is possible to hide the password using wpa_phassphrase by typing:

wpa_passphrase acmetest acmetest

result

network={
    ssid="acmetest"
    #psk="acmetest"
    psk=8e347eea89c0f5a5726f56f553ae6c72240bf83e1ca23dddb3a88f7cefac1bc5
}

Restart wlan0 with these command or reboot:

sudo ifdown wlan0
sudo ifup wlan0

After a while if the dhcp are working well you will obtain your interface up.

Wi-fi adapters