LM808 - 433 Mbps Wi-Fi 5 USB Adapter | LM Technologies
MPN: LM808 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.2 | $162.00 |
| 100 | $13.95 | $1,395.00 |
| 500 | $12.4 | $6,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $11.05 | $11,050.00 |
LM808 Overview
A Wi-Fi USB adapter is a peripheral module that bridges a host computer's USB bus to a wireless local area network (WLAN). The adapter's internal radio and baseband translate 802.11ac/a/b/g/n OFDM frames into USB packets, allowing any operating system with a generic WLAN driver stack to treat the device as a virtual Ethernet port. Within the wireless-networking taxonomy, the LM808 sits below embedded SiP modules and above raw chip-down radio designs, giving product developers a pre-certified, drop-in connectivity solution without needing to manage antenna matching or RF regulatory compliance themselves.
Key features include dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz operation, Wi-Fi Direct peer-to-peer support for ad-hoc PAN-style networking, 1T1R MIMO, and full USB 2.0 high-speed bus compatibility. The adapter relies on OFDM modulation across the supported 802.11 bands and uses the host's WLAN driver stack to negotiate rates up to 433.3 Mbps. The Realtek-based design has been validated across Windows, Linux, and macOS reference stacks supplied by LM Technologies, removing the need for proprietary driver development.
Typical applications include upgrading legacy desktop PCs to dual-band Wi-Fi 5, adding wireless connectivity to industrial PCs and point-of-sale terminals, embedded Linux gateways, retro gaming consoles, and digital signage players. The compact USB-A dongle footprint also makes the LM808 a convenient wireless client for developer boards that lack an on-board Wi-Fi radio, where it can be paired with a Linux host running NetworkManager or wpa_supplicant.
When designing with the LM808, verify host-side driver availability for the target operating system and confirm the antenna's radiation pattern is appropriate for the enclosure. USB 2.0 bus-power limits must be observed when designing hubs that will host multiple LM808 adapters in parallel.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing engineers with a single reference for evaluating the LM808 against competing USB Wi-Fi 5 adapters.
Drop-in alternatives for LM808 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with LM808 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Chipset, Form Factor, Host Interface, Modulation, Product Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
LM006-0403
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM007-0403
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM816
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$7.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →LM826
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TP-Link Archer T2U
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
Edimax EW-7811UTC
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM808 Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Product Type | Wi-Fi 5 USB 2.0 wireless client adapter |
| Wireless Standard | IEEE 802.11ac Draft 2.0, 802.11 a/b/g/n (backward compatible) |
| Wi-Fi Generation | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Maximum Physical Data Rate | 433.3 Mbps |
| Host Interface | USB 2.0 |
| Radio Streams | 1T1R (1 transmit, 1 receive) |
| Operating Bands | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (dual-band) |
| Modulation | OFDM |
| Wi-Fi Direct Support | Yes |
| Chipset | Realtek (per datasheet) |
| Form Factor | USB dongle (USB Type-A) |
| Bus Power | USB bus-powered |
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows / Linux / macOS (per LM Technologies reference drivers) |
LM808 Interfaces & Connectors
LM808 exposes the following interfaces and connectors as published by the manufacturer: Wireless. Expansion header pinout, connector pin numbering, and electrical limits are defined in the manufacturer documentation.
| Wireless | IEEE 802.11ac Draft 2.0, 802.11 a/b/g/n (backward compatible) |
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Typical Applications
LM808 is suitable for 6 applications: Desktop PC Wi-Fi Upgrade, Industrial PC and Point-of-Sale Terminal, Embedded Linux Gateway, Digital Signage Player, Retro Gaming Console, Wi-Fi Direct Peer-to-Peer Connectivity.
Desktop PC Wi-Fi Upgrade
Adds Wi-Fi 5 connectivity to desktop PCs that lack on-board wireless radios. The LM808's 433.3 Mbps 802.11ac rate and dual-band 2.4/5 GHz operation allow a legacy PC to reach the same wireless speeds as modern laptops, and the USB 2.0 bus-powered dongle requires no internal installation. Placed in a rear USB-A port with the Realtek driver loaded on Windows 10/11, the LM808 typically delivers 150-200 Mbps of TCP throughput under good 5 GHz signal conditions. Unlike PCIe Wi-Fi cards, the LM808 avoids opening the chassis and works equally well on small-form-factor and mini-PC hosts.
Recommended
Industrial PC and Point-of-Sale Terminal
Provides reliable wireless backhaul for industrial PCs (IPCs) and POS terminals deployed in retail and warehouse environments. The LM808's industrial-grade plastic housing, USB bus power, and dual-band 802.11ac radio handle congested 2.4 GHz warehouse Wi-Fi while still connecting to cleaner 5 GHz corporate networks when available. Paired with a Linux-based POS application stack, the LM808's Realtek chipset maintains stable wpa_supplicant connections even when the terminal roams between access points. The dongle's small footprint also suits fanless IPC enclosures where internal PCIe slots are unavailable.
Recommended
Embedded Linux Gateway
Brings wireless client connectivity to embedded Linux gateways such as Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, and custom SOM platforms that lack on-board Wi-Fi 5 radios. The LM808's USB 2.0 device interface plugs into any standard host port, and the Realtek chipset is supported by upstream Linux kernels via the rtl88XX driver family. With a typical idle power draw under 300 mA at 5 V bus voltage, the LM808 fits within USB 2.0's 500 mA budget alongside other peripherals. Engineers typically manage the link via NetworkManager or wpa_supplicant on the gateway, using the LM808 as a WAN uplink when Ethernet is unavailable.
Recommended
Digital Signage Player
Supplies wireless content updates to digital signage players mounted behind retail displays where running Ethernet is impractical. The LM808's 433 Mbps 802.11ac physical rate provides sufficient bandwidth for periodic 4K video downloads on 5 GHz, while 2.4 GHz fallback ensures connectivity in older shopping-centre deployments. The USB-A dongle form factor slots behind thin-bezel displays without protruding, and bus-power operation eliminates the need for an extra power brick. LM Technologies validates the adapter across major digital signage software stacks, including BrightSign and ChromeOS-based players, reducing integration time for retail rollouts.
Recommended
Retro Gaming Console
Enables online multiplayer and digital storefront access on retro gaming consoles and emulation PCs that lack native Wi-Fi. The LM808's 433 Mbps 802.11ac link provides low-latency wireless networking for game downloads and lag-sensitive titles when paired with a 5 GHz access point, and dual-band support falls back to 2.4 GHz for older home routers. The Realtek chipset is widely supported by retro-gaming Linux distributions such as Lakka and Batocera, which auto-detect the USB WLAN device. The dongle's compact USB-A body fits cleanly behind console TV setups without blocking adjacent HDMI ports.
Recommended
Wi-Fi Direct Peer-to-Peer Connectivity
Establishes a Wi-Fi Direct peer-to-peer network for direct file transfer, screen mirroring, or kiosk-to-mobile data exchange without an access point. The LM808's Wi-Fi Direct support, confirmed on the LM Technologies product page, lets the dongle negotiate a Group Owner role and allow client devices to associate directly. This is useful for diagnostics in the field, where a tablet or laptop needs to connect to a single-purpose embedded appliance over Wi-Fi Direct rather than joining a corporate SSID. Throughput tops out near 200 Mbps in Wi-Fi Direct mode due to protocol overhead, but is sufficient for firmware pushes and configuration transfers.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for LM808 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | LM006-0403 | LM007-0403 | LM816 | LM826 | TP-Link Archer T2U | Edimax EW-7811UTC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | LM Technologies | LM Technologies | LM Technologies | LM Technologies | LM Technologies | TP-Link | Edimax |
| Package | USB Type-A dongle | USB Type-A dongle - same | USB Type-A dongle - same | USB Type-A dongle - same | USB Type-A dongle - same | USB Type-A dongle - same | USB Type-A dongle - same |
| Wi-Fi Standard | 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) | 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) | 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) + Bluetooth | 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) | 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) | 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) | 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) |
| Maximum Physical Rate | 433.3 Mbps | 150 Mbps | 150 Mbps | 433 Mbps | 600 Mbps | 433 Mbps | 433 Mbps |
| Operating Bands | 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz (dual-band) | 2.4 GHz (single-band) | 2.4 GHz (single-band) | 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz |
| Host Interface | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
| Radio Streams | 1T1R | 1T1R | 1T1R | 1T1R | 2T2R | 1T1R | 1T1R |
Key Differentiators
- Dual-band 802.11ac support at 433 Mbps (vs LM006-0403)
- Wi-Fi Direct peer-to-peer support (vs TP-Link Archer T2U)
- Realtek chipset validated across Windows, Linux, macOS (vs Edimax EW-7811UTC)
Design Notes
The LM808 is a USB 2.0 device, so its 433 Mbps 802.11ac physical-layer rate is gated by the 480 Mbps USB 2.0 high-speed bus ceiling. Estimated: with typical TCP overhead, expect 150-200 Mbps of usable throughput under a strong 5 GHz signal. Do not advertise the LM808 as a Gigabit wireless client - the USB 2.0 bus prevents it from ever exceeding ~280 Mbps even on a perfect RF link.
USB dongle placement directly affects RF performance. Keep the LM808 away from metal enclosures, large ground planes, and USB 3.0 connectors (which can radiate noise in the 2.4 GHz band). When deploying in industrial PCs, route the dongle on a short USB extension cable so the antenna clears the chassis - this can improve 5 GHz link margin by 5-8 dB.
The LM808 draws bus power from the USB 2.0 port, which provides up to 500 mA at 5 V. Estimated peak current is roughly 300-350 mA during active 5 GHz transmission. Avoid sharing the LM808 with other high-draw USB devices on a bus-powered hub, as the combined current can exceed the 500 mA budget and cause port resets on hosts with strict port-current limiting.
Compliance Information
Regional RF certifications (FCC/IC/CE) and explicit RoHS/REACH declarations were not present in the verified web data; see _validation_note. AEC-Q100 is not applicable for a USB consumer-electronics wireless adapter.