[ILUG] 4G / Flash-OFDM (long post)

[Michael Watterson]

Finally after a month of wrecking my head...

I've finally got Flash-OFDM card running on Linux desktop PC via 
PCI-PCMCIA adaptor. Using "Barak" edition  of StartCom Linux. This is 
the 1st time I have ever seen the IP based "4G" style mobile network 
working Linux anywhere (Current WiMax is fixed, not mobile)

So I can see what the drivers etc are really doing. The ready to install 
QFT drivers for Linux only Work on an old "purchase only" Read Hat 
Enterprise Kernel 2.6.9  Almost no ordinary  Linux users  use the Red 
Hat Enterprise as is it not free.

Current kernels for Redhat and everyone else are 2.6.18 to 2.6.21, which 
are incompatible. The linux Kernel for device driver writers seems to be 
like hitting a stealth fighter with an Air Gun.

Seeing what a working one is doing, I now know I was very close to 
having Ubuntu Fiesty Fawn (The most popular Linux at the minute here?) 
working a few weeks ago.



Hopefully progress will now be more Rapid.  Anyone that wants to help 
develop the open source 3G/HSDPA/4G SIP-VOIP only phone/PDA  let  me  
know,  There is USB host, so we can add WiFi & Bluetooth via USB.

I have the Flash-OFDM card in one PCMCIA slot and Sierra Wireless 
Aircard 850 (no aerial bulge so fits) in lower PCMCIA slot


Let me know if you want a modem to work on drivers. Actual signal in 
Naul, Finglas, Swords, Ballbriggan, Blanchardstown now.





The Mobility manager  works too (not needed, it just displays signal 
stats). Nor does the Blue LED wink like in Windows when the driver is 
installed, The LED only lights (signal) or winks (no signal) if the card 
is actually configured with ethernet card settings. It appears on Linux 
as an ethernet device, not a Wireless device. The 3G/HSDPA cards appear 
on Linux as serial Modems.

Along the way I've some trouble with crashed disks, faulty memory etc in 
different computers.

So next I have to figure out why simply using the Irish ft2000.img file 
does not work with the Slovak 3rd party Ubuntu Kernel 2.6.20 driver (it 
compiles and loads to kernel, and even on occasion binds to PCMCIA 
card). Reinsertion of the card will hang Linux.

The *Elf3 Handheld is* only Qtopia 1.5. The GP2X uses Sharp Zaurus 
Qtopia 1.7. The GP2X (MagicEyes dual core ARM SoC) and Sharp Zaurus are 
ARM code compatible with the Marvell (ex Intel PX255) based Elf3. All 
use Kernel 2.4.x

The Elf3 PCMCIA subsystem is reporting the 3G/HSDPA Sierra Wireless 
Aircard 850 and the Flash-OFDM card. I want to get drivers for both 
cards and use the 3g/HSDPA as automatic backup dailup Network and 
Linphone SIP based VOIP on both.

Trolltech are currently at V4 of Qtopia, and want $12,000 to upgrade for 
me :-)  I'll either leave it at 1.5 / 1.7 or try building Ver3 or V4 as 
the source is free.

-- 
Mike