LM816 - 150Mbps WiFi 4 USB Nano Adapter | LM Technologies
MPN: LM816 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $12.5 | $12.50 |
| 10 | $11.2 | $112.00 |
| 100 | $9.85 | $985.00 |
| 500 | $8.6 | $4,300.00 |
| 1,000 | $7.4 | $7,400.00 |
LM816 Overview
A Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) USB adapter is a peripheral that converts a wired USB host port into a wireless network client operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, providing 1x1 SISO throughput up to 150 Mbps and supporting legacy 802.11b/g fallback. In the broader hierarchy, the LM816 sits under wireless LAN adapters -> networking peripherals -> computer interfaces, and uses a single spatial stream with 20 MHz channels and 40 MHz HT capability. This product class is widely adopted for legacy Wi-Fi connectivity on embedded systems where cost, footprint, and driver maturity matter more than the multi-gigabit throughput of newer Wi-Fi 6/6E modules.
Key features include hardware-based 64/128-bit WEP, WPA, and WPA2 encryption, soft-AP / Wi-Fi Direct capability, and driver support for Windows, Linux, and macOS hosts. The adapter enumerates as a USB 2.0 high-speed device and uses the standard RTL8188EUS driver tree maintained by Realtek and the Linux community. An internal printed chip antenna (AO/IC-ANT) eliminates the need for an external antenna while preserving the link budget required for typical indoor ranges.
The LM816 references the Realtek RTL8188EUS single-chip 802.11n controller, which integrates the MAC, baseband, RF transceiver, and PA on a single die, requiring only an external crystal, EEPROM, and antenna matching network. The 1T1R radio chain, combined with Short GI and MCS7 modulation, enables the headline 150 Mbps PHY rate while staying within USB 2.0 bus bandwidth. This architecture explains the module's low power consumption and small footprint compared to discrete solutions.
Typical applications include retrocomputing and embedded Linux SBCs (Raspberry Pi, Toradex, BeagleBone), industrial HMI terminals, point-of-sale systems, digital signage media players, and low-cost retrofit wireless upgrades for older desktops or laptops. The LM816 is also used as a quick evaluation reference for engineers validating 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi link behavior in prototype designs.
When integrating the LM816, ensure the host platform provides a USB 2.0 high-speed port with sufficient bus power (typically 500 mA @ 5V). RF performance is sensitive to USB cable length and chassis shielding; for chassis-mounted applications, route the dongle externally to avoid degrading antenna patterns. Verified driver compatibility with the host OS should be confirmed before deployment in production.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in adapter alternatives, and application notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers select the right Wi-Fi adapter for embedded and industrial deployments.
Drop-in alternatives for LM816 — 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 LM816 (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:
LM816-0648-1
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM816-0648-2
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
EW-7811Un
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TL-WN725N
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
Linksys AE1200-NP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM816 Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Wireless Standard | IEEE 802.11 b/g/n (Wi-Fi 4) |
| Wi-Fi Standards Compliance | 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11e, 802.11i |
| Maximum PHY Rate | 150 Mbps (1x1 SISO, 40 MHz HT) |
| Operating Frequency Band | 2.4 GHz ISM |
| Modulation | DSSS, OFDM, BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM |
| Chipset | Realtek RTL8188EUS |
| Host Interface | USB 2.0 High-Speed (Type A) |
| Antenna Type | Internal chip antenna (IC-ANT/AO) |
| Network Modes | Ad-hoc, Infrastructure, Soft-AP |
| Security | 64/128-bit WEP, WPA, WPA2 |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V (USB bus powered) |
| Form Factor | USB Nano Dongle |
| Operating Systems | Windows, Linux, macOS (per Realtek driver) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
LM816 Interfaces & Connectors
LM816 exposes the following interfaces and connectors as published by the manufacturer: Wireless, Power Input. Expansion header pinout, connector pin numbering, and electrical limits are defined in the manufacturer documentation.
| Wireless | IEEE 802.11 b/g/n (Wi-Fi 4) |
| Power Input | 5 V (USB bus powered) |
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Power & Thermal Characteristics
| Power Input | 5 V (USB bus powered) |
Power input and thermal parameters for LM816 as published by the manufacturer.
Typical Applications
LM816 is suitable for 7 applications: Embedded Linux SBCs (Raspberry Pi, Toradex), Industrial HMI and Panel PCs, Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminals, Digital Signage Media Players, Legacy Desktop and Laptop Wi-Fi Retrofit, IoT Gateway Wireless Uplink, Developer Prototyping and RF Validation.
Embedded Linux SBCs (Raspberry Pi, Toradex)
The LM816 is a popular 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi drop-in adapter for Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, and Toradex modules because it enumerates as a standard USB 2.0 device and is recognized by the r8188eu driver built into mainline Linux kernels >=3.10. With up to 150 Mbps PHY rate and bus-powered 5V operation, the LM816 enables headless SBC deployments for IoT gateways, retrocomputing projects, and developer prototyping without the need for an Ethernet tether. Compared to onboard Wi-Fi chips, the LM816's external Nano dongle keeps the RF section outside the SBC's metal enclosure, improving link margin in metal-cased industrial housings while preserving a zero-BOM-change swap path.
Recommended
Industrial HMI and Panel PCs
Industrial HMI terminals and panel PCs often lack onboard Wi-Fi but have accessible USB ports for field upgrades, and the LM816 fits this slot with its 150 Mbps 802.11n link and compact Nano form factor. The adapter supports WPA2 encryption and 802.11i security, allowing secure wireless connectivity for SCADA dashboards, machine telemetry, and remote operator interfaces. Because the LM816 is USB bus-powered, no internal wiring is needed, simplifying retrofit installations and field service swaps. Verified Linux and Windows driver support also means HMI vendors can ship a generic LM816 reference image without per-platform driver work.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminals
The LM816 is well matched to point-of-sale terminals that need reliable wireless LAN connectivity for inventory lookups, payment backhaul, and cloud-based ERP transactions. Its 2.4 GHz 802.11n radio delivers the bandwidth required for transactional bursts at typical retail throughput levels while staying within the cost envelope of high-volume POS deployments. Soft-AP and Wi-Fi Direct modes allow the LM816 to act as a configuration hotspot during installer setup, simplifying store rollout. The compact Nano footprint keeps the USB dongle unobtrusive behind the POS display, and its proven Realtek RTL8188EUS driver tree ensures multi-OS support for Windows POS and Linux-based terminals.
Recommended
Digital Signage Media Players
Digital signage players are often installed in locations without convenient wired Ethernet, and the LM816 provides a quick Wi-Fi 4 connection with up to 150 Mbps of link capacity - more than enough for typical 1080p video streaming and remote content updates. The dongle's USB Type-A Nano form factor leaves adjacent ports free and its internal chip antenna avoids the visual clutter of external antennas in retail or hospitality environments. The LM816's low power draw and bus-powered 5V operation suit fanless media players where thermals matter. Linux- and Android-based signage players benefit from the LM816's mature r8188eu kernel driver, which is already enabled in many AOSP builds.
Recommended
Legacy Desktop and Laptop Wi-Fi Retrofit
The LM816 is a low-cost way to add 802.11n wireless to older desktops, mini-PCs, and laptops that lack working internal Wi-Fi or have outdated 802.11g radios. Plug-and-play driver support on Windows 7/8/10/11 and Linux distributions means end users can install the adapter without specialized drivers, and the Nano size leaves adjacent USB ports accessible. With WPA2 and 64/128-bit WEP support, the LM816 can connect to both modern enterprise networks and legacy infrastructure. The 150 Mbps PHY rate provides a noticeable throughput improvement over older 54 Mbps 802.11g adapters at minimal cost.
Recommended
IoT Gateway Wireless Uplink
The LM816 serves as an inexpensive wireless uplink for IoT gateways that aggregate sensor data and forward it to cloud services over Wi-Fi. Its 150 Mbps link rate easily handles typical IoT telemetry payloads (kilobits to a few megabits per second), while its 2.4 GHz band compatibility ensures connectivity in environments where 5 GHz coverage is poor. The dongle's USB Type-A interface suits gateway designs with spare ports, and its bus-powered 5V operation eliminates the need for extra regulators. Engineers prototyping custom IoT gateways can use the LM816 as a known-good reference design while evaluating 5 GHz or Wi-Fi 6E upgrades later in the product lifecycle.
Recommended
Developer Prototyping and RF Validation
Engineers use the LM816 as a known-good 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi reference during bring-up and RF validation of custom Wi-Fi designs. Because the LM816 uses the well-documented Realtek RTL8188EUS chipset, designers can validate antenna placement, enclosure shielding, and host USB bus performance against a repeatable baseline. The dongle's low cost and USB Type-A convenience make it easy to swap between test fixtures and host platforms. Linux kernel logs from the r8188eu driver also provide measurable signal and noise indicators that can be used as a sanity check during wireless certification pre-tests.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for LM816 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | LM816-0648-1 | LM816-0648-2 | EW-7811Un | TL-WN725N | Linksys AE1200-NP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | LM Technologies | LM Technologies | LM Technologies | Edimax | TP-Link | Linksys |
| Package | USB Nano Dongle (Type A) | USB Nano Dongle (Type A) - same | USB Nano Dongle (Type A, retail SRP) - same | USB Nano Dongle (Type A) - same | USB Nano Dongle (Type A) - same | USB Dongle (Type A) - same footprint class |
| Wireless Standard | 802.11 b/g/n (Wi-Fi 4) | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 b/g/n |
| Chipset | Realtek RTL8188EUS | Realtek RTL8188EUS | Realtek RTL8188EUS | Realtek RTL8188EUS | Realtek RTL8188EUS | Realtek RTL8188EUS (family) |
| Maximum PHY Rate | 150 Mbps | 150 Mbps | 150 Mbps | 150 Mbps | 150 Mbps | 150 Mbps |
| Host Interface | USB 2.0 High-Speed (Type A) | USB 2.0 (Type A) | USB 2.0 (Type A) | USB 2.0 (Type A) | USB 2.0 (Type A) | USB 2.0 (Type A) |
| Antenna | Internal chip antenna (IC-ANT) | Internal chip antenna | Internal chip antenna | Internal printed antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Operating Systems | Windows, Linux, macOS | Windows, Linux, macOS | Windows, Linux, macOS | Windows, Linux, macOS | Windows, Linux, macOS | Windows, macOS (Linux with r8188eu) |
Key Differentiators
- Officially documented reference adapter for Toradex embedded Linux modules (vs EW-7811Un)
- Bulk (LM816-0648-1) and retail SRP (LM816-0648-2) order codes for OEM vs retail channels (vs TL-WN725N)
- Documented replacement for legacy LM006 adapter with better RF performance (vs Linksys AE1200-NP)
Design Notes
Avoid routing the LM816 through long USB extension cables or behind metal chassis walls; the internal chip antenna's radiation pattern can be attenuated by 10-20 dB in metallic enclosures, dropping effective throughput from 150 Mbps to under 20 Mbps. For chassis-mounted applications, mount the LM816 dongle externally or use a USB pigtail with the dongle exposed to free air.
The LM816 draws up to ~500 mA peak from the USB 5V bus during active scans and 802.11n TX bursts. Host platforms with weak USB bus power (some older SBCs and passive hubs) may brown-out the dongle during heavy traffic; use a powered USB hub or confirm the host's USB port can deliver the full 500 mA specified by USB 2.0.
When integrating the Realtek RTL8188EUS reference design onto a custom carrier board, follow the reference layout for the 50 ohm RF feed to the chip antenna or U.FL connector. Keep the DP/DM USB traces impedance-matched (90 ohm differential) and route them away from switching DC-DC nodes. Decouple VDD with 10 uF + 0.1 uF close to the chip and tie the GND paddle to a flooded ground plane for thermal dissipation.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance inferred from LM Technologies product page; AEC-Q100 not applicable to a consumer/embedded USB Wi-Fi adapter. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in public datasheet.