AsiaRF AP7620-MPE-1 OpenWrt WiFi Router mini PCIe Card is Made for Computers and Embedded Systems

There are many mini PCIe WiFi modules on the market, but what AsiaRF provides with AP7620-MPE-1 is a little different, as it’s a router based on Mediatek MT7620A fitted into a mini PCIe card to be plugged inside a computer or embedded system.

WiFi_mini_PCIe_OpenWrt_RouterAP7620-MPE-1 mini PCIe card specifications:

  • SoC – Mediatek MT7620A MIPS 24KEc CPU @ 580MHz with 2T2R WiFi 802.11 b/g/n (but board only supports 1×1)
  • 802.11ac WiFI Chipset – Mediatek MT7612E AC1200 chipset limited to 433 Mbps [Changed to MT7610E chipset @ 433 Mbps]
  • System Memory – 64 or 128MB DDR2
  • Storage – 8 or 16MB SPI flash
  • WiFI features
    • Security: 64/128-bit WEP, TKIP, WPA, WPA2, AES; 802.1X Authentication with RADIUS Client
    • Multi-mode support: Access Point/Client mode
    • Support Multiple SSIDs
  • mini PCIe interface with USB2.0 to Ethernet, UART, 8 GPIOs, 1.5V, 3.3V and ground
  • Dimensions – 60 x 41.5 mm (bigger than standard mini card: 50.95 x 30 mm)

The card is seen as a USB 2.0 to Ethernet dongle from the system, with the dongle connected to a router. The reason why the AC1200 chipset is limited to 433 Mbps is because of the USB 2.0 interface in the mini PCIe card itself limited to 480 Mbps.

Click to Enlarge
Click to Enlarge

The company also told me there will be three versions of firmware SDK for this router:

  • Mediatek official SDK
  • Mediatek OpenWrt SDK with Mediatek WiFi driver
  • OpenWrt.org SDK with “public” WiFi driver (most of time uses less power)

The company does not have an habit of release firmware and documentation publicly, so you’ll probably get them after you purchase the card. In case you wonder why you’d ever need such mini PCIe card the company claims “it is ideal for multi-purpose installations for sharing wireless connections”.

The first engineering samples have just been produced. Price will be around $20 per unit, with discount in larger quantities. You can find some more technical details on the product page.

Share this:

Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress

ROCK Pi 4C Plus
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.
5 Comments
oldest
newest
TLS
TLS
7 years ago

It’s actually only 1×1 for the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, as it only has one antenna connector, even though the SoC can do 2×2.

JotaMG
JotaMG
7 years ago

Yes, you’re right, too many shortcuts.
For that price, not worth.

TC
TC
7 years ago

Cool idea for embedding OpenVPN straight into your laptop, also could store a encrypted PXE on it to boot from

but limiting to 433Mbit due to USB limiting to 480 is dull – as you will get about the half at max on wifi anyway

TLS
TLS
7 years ago

@TC
It’s a matter of board space as well, a mini PCIe card is only so big…

Paul Lai
7 years ago

Thanks for your comments.
We had thought about to use 2×2 antennas, the space is so tiny and hard to fit in.
If we can do longer size, it could be done I think.
Welcome to advice and we may make the other one to fit your needs.

Khadas VIM4 SBC