pico-usb-wifi is an open-source firmware project that converts the Raspberry Pi Pico W into a driverless USB WiFi adapter that works with Windows, Linux, macOS, and other operating systems with USB CDC-NCM support.

The Infineon CYW43439 chip found in the SBC can’t be used directly as a USB to WiFi bridge, and instead, the firmware implements a transparent Layer-2 bridge between the Pico W’s wireless module and USB interfaces. It basically works as an Ethernet to WiFi gateway/bridge, which exposes an Ethernet connection through USB (aka USB gadget mode) used to route Wi-Fi packets from the network.

Image source: project’s GitLab repo

pico-usb-wifi highlights:

Transparent Layer-2 Bridging between the Pico W’s wireless and USB interfaces

Exposed as a USB CDC-NCM device

IPv4 and IPv6 with no NAT, no private subnet, and no port-forwarding to configure

Out-of-band management and debug consoles over CDC-ACM serial

WPA2-PSK and WPA3-SAE authentication (and open networks)

Throughput – Average 4.75 Mbits/sec;…