Today I tried to apply WE19 patch for 2.6.13 kernel on our default 2.4.18-crapix kernel which we use for collie (Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 PDA). It does not apply clean — there was some fuzz and some rejects but I edited it a bit and refreshed patch. Kernel built without problems, so I flashed it and checked:
root@collie:~# iwlist --version
iwlist Wireless-Tools version 28
Compatible with Wireless Extension v11 to v19.
Kernel Currently compiled with Wireless Extension v19.
wifi0 Recommend Wireless Extension v18 or later,
Currently compiled with Wireless Extension v19.
wlan0 Recommend Wireless Extension v18 or later,
Currently compiled with Wireless Extension v19.
What WE19 gives over WE18? Improved dBm reporting — now iwconfig raport signal strength in dBm (previous it was in magic numbers). Why I did it? For fun and to check will it work.
BTW — WE20 need more work, WE21 did not even tried — it’s marked as experimental and require both drivers and userspace modification so I do not want to fight with it.