openwifi is a software-defined radio implementation of the IEEE 802.11 WiFi standard that provides a complete Linux mac80211-compatible full-stack design with both FPGA hardware and driver software components.
The project addresses the need for an open, customizable WiFi implementation by building the entire 802.11 stack on software-defined radio hardware. It implements the MAC and PHY layers, with the DCF (CSMA/CA) low MAC layer running in FPGA to achieve precise timing such as 10 microsecond SIFS intervals. The design supports 802.11a/g/n standards across a 70 MHz to 6 GHz frequency range with 20 MHz bandwidth, and includes capabilities for packet injection, fuzzing, channel state information extraction, and radar-based moving detection. Users can configure channel access parameters including CCA threshold, receiver sensitivity, RTS/CTS duration, and various inter-frame spacing values.
Adoption suits researchers, SDR enthusiasts, and developers needing a fully customizable WiFi implementation for experimental or specialized applications. The tool works in ad-hoc, station, access point, and monitor modes. It is particularly valuable for those requiring low-level control over MAC timing, channel state information access, or the ability to operate at non-standard bandwidths and frequencies. The project emphasizes that users must follow local spectrum regulations and can use cable connections to avoid over-the-air interference. Advanced features and dedicated support are available through a subscription model, while the core implementation remains open source under AGPLv3.
Development activity shows sustained engagement with documentation across multiple formats including project documents, wiki pages, application notes, and video resources. The project maintains a mailing list for community discussion and contribution guidelines are formally documented. The codebase acknowledges dependencies on third-party modules and provides guidance on license compliance for compound usage scenarios.
