Wireless Settings & Wi-Fi Scanning
Relevant source files
The following files were used as context for generating this wiki page:
The Wireless Settings and Wi-Fi Scanning module manages radio hardware and virtual wireless interfaces on OpenWrt routers. It enables users to view real-time signal metrics, modify UCI (Unified Configuration Interface) wireless parameters, and monitor associated client stations across different frequency bands.
The app uses the LuCI RPC and rpcd-mod-iwinfo modules to retrieve live radio state and scan for nearby networks. Configuration changes are managed through the router's apply-with-rollback protocol to prevent accidental lockouts during wireless parameter adjustments.
Sources: README.md:14-17, README.md:38-40, fastlane/metadata/android/en-US/full_description.txt:13-13
Wireless Architecture and Data Flow
The system distinguishes between physical radio devices (e.g., radio0) and logical wireless interfaces (e.g., wlan0). Data flows from the router's hardware through iwinfo and uci subsystems to the mobile client via JSON-RPC.
Wireless Component Relationship
The following diagram illustrates the relationship between physical hardware, UCI configuration, and runtime operational data.
The application interacts with these components to display signal quality, noise levels, and bitrates while allowing edits to SSIDs and security keys.
Sources: assets/mock/wireless_devices.json:2-37, assets/mock/uci_wireless.json:3-26, README.md:65-67
Radio and Interface Configuration
Wireless hardware is categorized by its hardware path and supported modes. The app tracks parameters including transmit power, channel frequency, and hardware modes (e.g., 802.11ac).
Radio Hardware Attributes
| Field | Description | Example Value |
|---|---|---|
hwmodes | Supported 802.11 standards | ["b", "g", "n"] |
htmodes | High Throughput channel widths | ["HT20", "HT40", "VHT80"] |
txpower | Current transmit power in dBm | 20 |
frequency | Operating frequency in MHz | 2437 |
Sources: assets/mock/wireless_devices.json:14-15, assets/mock/wireless_devices.json:52-53
Logical Interface Settings
Each radio can host multiple interfaces (SSIDs) with specific operational modes and security configurations.
- SSID & Encryption: Configures the network name and security protocol (e.g.,
psk2for WPA2 PSK). - Operational Mode: Defines the role, typically
ap(Access Point) orsta(Station for Wi-Fi scanning and connecting to other networks). - 802.11 features: Toggles for IEEE 802.11r (Fast Transition), 802.11w (Management Frame Protection), and WPS pushbutton support.
Sources: assets/mock/wireless_devices.json:23-31, assets/mock/uci_wireless.json:33-41, fastlane/metadata/android/en-US/full_description.txt:13-13
Station Monitoring and Signal Metrics
The app provides detailed statistics for every client associated with a wireless interface. This includes signal-to-noise ratios and physical layer (PHY) rates.
Associated Station Data Model
| Metric | Description | Source File |
|---|---|---|
signal | Signal strength in dBm | assoclist_wlan0.json:5 |
noise | Background noise in dBm | assoclist_wlan0.json:6 |
inactive | Time since last activity (ms) | assoclist_wlan0.json:7 |
rx_bytes/tx_bytes | Total data transferred | assoclist_wlan0.json:10-11 |
mcs | Modulation and Coding Scheme index | assoclist_wlan0.json:14 |
Signal Performance Flow
This sequence shows how the app retrieves real-time station data for specific wireless interfaces.
The assoclist response includes precise details such as whether the connection uses a short Guard Interval (GI) or Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) via Number of Spatial Streams (NSS).
Sources: assets/mock/assoclist_wlan0.json:3-40, assets/mock/associated_stations.json:2-12
Wi-Fi Scanning and Station Mode
The application supports scanning for nearby networks. This functionality allows the router to act as a wireless client (Station mode).
- Trigger Scan: The app initiates a scan via the
iwinfoRPC module. - Results: The router returns a list of detected SSIDs, BSSIDs, channels, and signal strengths.
- Connection: You can select a network to configure the router radio as a station (
stamode) to provide internet uplink.
Sources: README.md:20-20, fastlane/metadata/android/en-US/full_description.txt:13-13, assets/mock/wireless_devices.json:24
Summary of Wireless Management
The Wireless Settings and Wi-Fi Scanning system provides a mobile interface for complex OpenWrt radio management. It integrates live operational data from iwinfo with persistent configuration via uci. By utilizing the apply-with-rollback protocol, the app ensures that wireless changes (such as channel or security updates) do not result in a permanent loss of connectivity.
Sources: README.md:14-17, README.md:28-31, fastlane/metadata/android/en-US/full_description.txt:20-20