Wifi AP: Receiving Other Radio Signals

TL;DR

Generally, a standard wifi Access Point (AP) cannot be easily reconfigured to receive other radio signals like Bluetooth, Zigbee, or LoRa. They are designed for the 2.4GHz and/or 5GHz wifi bands. However, some APs with specific hardware features *might* allow limited reception of other signals, often requiring custom firmware and advanced configuration. This is not a typical use case.

Understanding the Limitations

Here’s why it’s difficult:

• Hardware Differences: Wifi APs have antennas and radio circuitry tuned for specific wifi frequencies. Other technologies use different frequencies and modulation schemes.
• Chipset Restrictions: The chipset inside the AP is programmed to handle wifi protocols. It won’t inherently understand other signals.
• Software Support: Standard AP firmware doesn’t include drivers or software for non-wifi radio reception.

Steps to Investigate (Advanced Users Only)

These steps are complex and may void your warranty. Proceed with caution.

1. Check Your AP’s Specifications

1. Model Number: Find the exact model number of your wifi Access Point.
2. Datasheet/Manual: Download the datasheet or user manual from the manufacturer’s website. Look for any mention of multi-radio support, software-defined radio (SDR) capabilities, or compatibility with other wireless standards.

2. Identify the Chipset

Knowing the chipset is crucial. You can often find this information in the datasheet or by disassembling the AP (carefully!) and looking at markings on the chip itself.

3. Research Chipset Capabilities

1. Manufacturer Website: Visit the chipset manufacturer’s website (e.g., Qualcomm, Broadcom, MediaTek).
2. Data Sheets: Search for data sheets related to your specific chipset model. See if it supports any other radio frequencies or protocols beyond wifi.

4. Explore Custom Firmware Options

If the chipset *potentially* supports other signals, look into custom firmware like OpenWrt or DD-WRT.

1. OpenWrt/DD-WRT Compatibility: Check if your AP model is supported by these projects.
2. Package Availability: See if there are any packages available for the desired protocol (e.g., Bluetooth, Zigbee). This is rare but possible.

5. Attempt Firmware Flashing (Proceed with Extreme Caution)

Flashing custom firmware can brick your AP if done incorrectly.

1. Backup Original Firmware: If possible, back up the original firmware before flashing anything new.
2. Follow Instructions Carefully: Follow the specific instructions for your AP model on the OpenWrt or DD-WRT website.

6. Configure Software (If Supported)

After flashing, you may need to configure software within the firmware to enable and use the other radio.

# Example: Using a command line interface in OpenWrt

uci add network radio0

uci set network.radio0.device 'bluetooth0'

uci commit network

Alternative Solutions

If reconfiguring your AP isn’t feasible, consider these alternatives:

• Dedicated Hardware: Use a separate device specifically designed for the protocol you want to receive (e.g., Bluetooth dongle, Zigbee gateway).
• Multi-Protocol Devices: Purchase an AP that explicitly supports multiple wireless standards. These are becoming more common but are generally more expensive.