---
name: "uath"
section: "4"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd", "openbsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/if_uath"
---

# uath(4)

Atheros USB IEEE 802.11a/b/g wireless network driver

Part of [if\_uath(4)](/if_uath/4.md).

## NAME

**uath** – Atheros USB IEEE 802.11a/b/g wireless network driver

## SYNOPSIS

**device** **ehci** **device** **uhci** **device** **ohci** **device** **usb** **device** **uath** **device** **wlan**

[loader.conf(5)](/loader.conf/5.md): **if\_uath\_load="YES"**

## DESCRIPTION

The **uath** driver supports USB 2.0 wireless network devices based on Atheros Communications fifth generation AR5005UG and AR5005UX chipsets.

The AR5005UG chipset is made of an AR5523 multiprotocol MAC/baseband processor and an AR2112 Radio-on-a-Chip that can operate between 2300 and 2500 MHz (802.11b/g).

The AR5005UX chipset is made of an AR5523 multiprotocol MAC/baseband processor and an AR5112 dual band Radio-on-a-Chip that can operate between 2300 and 2500 MHz (802.11b/g) or 4900 and 5850 MHz (802.11a).

The AR5005UG and AR5005UX chipsets both have an integrated 32-bit MIPS R4000-class processor that runs a firmware and manages, among other things, the automatic control of the transmit rate and the calibration of the radio.

**uath** supports **station**, and **monitor** mode operation. Only one virtual interface may be configured at any time. For more information on configuring this device, see [ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md).

## HARDWARE

The **uath** driver should work with the following adapters:

| | |
| --- | --- |
| *Adapter* | *Chipset* |
| Compex WLU108AG | AR5005UX |
| Compex WLU108G | AR5005UG |
| D-Link DWL-G132 | AR5005UG |
| IODATA WN-G54/US | AR5005UG |
| MELCO WLI-U2-KAMG54 | AR5005UX |
| Netgear WG111T | AR5005UG |
| Netgear WG111U | AR5005UX |
| Netgear WPN111 | AR5005UG |
| Olitec 000544 | AR5005UG |
| PLANET WDL-U357 | AR5005UX |
| Siemens Gigaset 108 | AR5005UG |
| SMC SMCWUSBT-G | AR5005UG |
| SMC SMCWUSBT-G2 | AR5005UG |
| SparkLAN WL-785A | AR5005UX |
| TP-Link TL-WN620G | AR5005UG |
| TRENDware International TEW-444UB | AR5005UG |
| TRENDware International TEW-504UB | AR5005UX |
| Unex Technology UR054ag | AR5005UX |
| ZyXEL XtremeMIMO M-202 | AR5005UX |

## FILES

**uath** requires firmware that is downloaded to the device. This is normally done by the [uathload(8)](/uathload/8.md) utility that is launched by [devd(8)](/devd/8.md) when the device is inserted. [uathload(8)](/uathload/8.md) includes the firmware in the binary program. This firmware is licensed for general use and is included in the base system.

## EXAMPLES

Join an existing BSS network (i.e., connect to an access point):

```
ifconfig wlan create wlandev uath0 inet 192.168.0.20 \
    netmask 0xffffff00
```

Join a specific BSS network with network name “my\_net”:

```
ifconfig wlan create wlandev uath0 ssid my_net up
```

Join a specific BSS network with 64-bit WEP encryption:

```
ifconfig wlan create wlandev uath0 ssid my_net \
	wepmode on wepkey 0x1234567890 weptxkey 1 up
```

Join a specific BSS network with 128-bit WEP encryption:

```
ifconfig wlan create wlandev uath0 wlanmode adhoc ssid my_net \
    wepmode on wepkey 0x01020304050607080910111213 weptxkey 1
```

## DIAGNOSTICS

- uath%d: could not send command (error=%s)

  An attempt to send a command to the firmware failed.

- uath%d: timeout waiting for command reply

  A read command was sent to the firmware but the firmware failed to reply in time.

- uath%d: device timeout

  A frame dispatched to the hardware for transmission did not complete in time. The driver will reset the hardware. This should not happen.

## SEE ALSO

[netintro(4)](/netintro/4.md), [usb(4)](/usb/4.md), [wlan(4)](/wlan/4.md), [wlan\_ccmp(4)](/wlan_ccmp/4.md), [wlan\_tkip(4)](/wlan_tkip/4.md), [wlan\_wep(4)](/wlan_wep/4.md), [devd(8)](/devd/8.md), [ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md), [uathload(8)](/uathload/8.md), [wpa\_supplicant(8)](/wpa_supplicant/8.md)

## HISTORY

The **uath** driver first appeared in OpenBSD 4.0.

## AUTHORS

The **uath** driver was written by Weongyo Jeong ⟨*weongyo@FreeBSD.org*⟩ and Sam Leffler ⟨*sam@FreeBSD.org*⟩. It is distantly related to a driver written by Damien Bergamini ⟨*damien@openbsd.org*⟩.

## CAVEATS

Atheros proprietary 108 Mbps mode (aka Super AG mode) is not supported.

Dual-band adapters are presently not working; to workaround, restriction operation to 2.4GHz channels.