I've searched for USB dongles which use Atheros AR9271 because some free GNU/Linux distribution communities recommend them.
Open source firmware is available so that we can use them without binary blobs.
The list below should be usable for those who respect freedom and privacy.
It might be usable for those who want to connect Lego Mindstorm EV3 to wireless networks too.
- TP-Link TL-WN722N
- Netgear WNA1100
- Tehnoetic TET-N150HGA (FSF-approved!)
- Roland / Netgear WNA1100-RL (for music instruments, discontinued)
- ThinkPenguin TPE-N150USB (FSF-approved!)
- Tehnoetic TET-N150 (FSF-approved!)
- Onkyo UWF-1 (for network audios)
- Sony IFU-WLM3 (for data projectors)
- It seems that the hardware of Roland WNA1100-RL is identical to Netgear WNA1100 in the U.S / Canada markets. However, WNA1100-RL comes with a label which has the Japanese certification markings (技適マーク, Giteki).
- TPE-N150USB is from the same manufacturer of UWF-1 and IFU-WLM3 with similar model numbers.
The interesting fact is that there seems to be no Giteki-approved device named WNA1100. Judging from this video, 204-280001 can be the Giteki ID for WNA1100-RL. However, there are no records of Netgear nor Roland which start from 204-2.