Raspberry Pi Forums

Im thinking of removing the ethernet port from a Pi model B and replacing it with a laptops wireless networking chip to create a "WiPi". I have 2 questions: Could it work and should I bother?

How do you propose to connect the chip to
the Pi ?

ghans

Possibly by solder, but I my self have very little knowledge in this area as hardware hacks arent really my thing!

A TI CC3000 would be rather nice on a Raspberry Pi …
http://www.ti.com/product/cc3000

I guess you can add that chip to the Pi without
risking Ethernet and USB (and the circuit board in general
) - i'm only seeing SPI commectivity ?


ghans

HarveyC wrote:Im thinking of removing the ethernet port from a Pi model B and replacing it with a laptops wireless networking chip to create a "WiPi". I have 2 questions: Could it work and should I bother?

Simple answer: No and No.

Although it may not be impossible to patch one USB network chip in place of another it is difficult and requires considerable expertise in circuit modification, network drivers, PCB layout etc. Just removing such a chip without destroying the PCB takes skill and specialist equipment.

It is far,far,far easier to connect a USB WiFi device to USB or an Ethernet-WiFi bridge (e.g. a TPLink) to the RJ45.

Ok, so it'll work but will be incredibly complicated, dangerous and pointless?