The chipset in these devices (AIC8800) is currently not supported in the mainline Linux kernel. The BrosTrend driver is installed as an out-of-tree module using DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support), which automatically "rebuilds" the module(s) whenever the kernel is updated.
Currently the BrosTrend driver only support Debian based distributions. For a list of supported and non-supported distributions, see Reference [3].
If you have not already purchased the usb adapter antenna, I highly recommend that you purchase one that is supported in the mainline Linux kernel. The problem is if you need both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, you may not find one.
If you already purchased the adapter, I hope you purchased the WB2P with Bluetooth. You cannot make this stuff up. You pay $7 to $11 more, and you get less (no Bluetooth). What about the Linux compatibility? It's only instructions for installing the driver, and they are here [4].
| Manufacture | Model No. | Wi-Fi | Bluetooth | Spead | Height | Gain | milliamps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BrosTrend | AX900 | 6 | 5.4 | 600 Mbps on 5GHz 286 on 2.4 GHz | 10/8 in | 6 db | 60 |
Before installing the driver, the output of lsusb is:
ID a69c:5732 aicsemi Aic MSC
The instructions on BrosTrend's website says "Do NOT install the antenna until after the driver has been installed":
The installation of this driver requires an Internet connection.
To install the Linux driver, execute the following command:
sh -c 'wget linux.brostrend.com/install -O /tmp/install && sh /tmp/install'
If your antenna is not detected (and it won't be if you are following the instructions), select the option for:
aic8800 for AX7L/AX7LP (AX900), AX5L (AX300)".
This driver has to compile and build four modules. This took about one minute on a fast Debian machine; however, on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, it took over 21 minutes.
After successfully installing the driver, executing "lsusb" showed:
ID 368b:8d81 AICSemi AIC 8800D80
After executing "ip a", my MAC address was:
68:15:79:13:44:e4
The MAC address prefix 68:15:79 is registered to BrosTrend Technology LLC.
The wifi interface should now be recognized, but it may not connect until you run:
rfkill unblock all
On a Raspberry Pi, with the internal wifi interface disabled, I also had to run:
sudo nmcli con up wlan0
BrosTrends has only one Linux install program for all of their products. I ran into the problem that when I ran their install program, it detected that a kernel driver was already installed for r8152. This is a reference to Realtek's 8152, which is used in BrosTrend's usb-to-Ethernet adapter. My host was using a Plugable usb-to-Ethernet adapter that used the same R8152. I had to remove it, to install the wifi driver.
I have successfully installed this driver at least five times on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W. Every time, it failed on the first attempt but succeed on the second attempt.
If it fails or you get errors, execute the following:
sudo dpkg --configure -a
If you are updating the Raspberry Pi OS and the version number changes, the driver will attempt to update its self. At some point during this process the RPi Zero 2W will probably reboot. If you are doing this via ssh, the only thing you will see is the build module dot progress dots will stop advancing. Hit Ctr C, and log back into the RPi Zero 2W. Then execute:
sudo dpkg --configure -a
You may see some dependency error ignore them. At the end of the process, you may the message "Errors were encountered while processing. Execute:
sudo dpkg --configure -a
Updating everything can be done wirelessly even if the internal wifi disabled.
| Manufacture | Model No. | Wi-Fi | Bluetooth | Speed | Height | Gain | milliamps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intelbras | AX900 | 6 | 5.4 | 600 Mbps on 5GHz 286 on 2.4 GHz | 6.5 in. | 5 db | 60 |
This WiFi and Bluetooth adapter is available via Amazon for only $10.
The Interlbras AX900 uses the same chipset as in the BrosTrend AX900. Hence, use the BrosTrend driver.
For my adapter:
A reverse MAC address lookup did not show a vendor for this antenna [1].
I have no complaints about the performance of this antenna. I liked it so much that I purchased a second one.