ath5k: problems with wireless network data transfer

[Fabio Rossi <rossi.f@inwind.it>]

I'm using the lastest wireless-testing for connecting to my access point using 
the ath5k driver. There are no problems in associating to the AP.

I have a lot of problems with the connection in the sense that I observe 
frequently no data transfer between the station and the AP (and so Internet). 
During this network inactivity I can't ping the router or the route command 
is stuck for many seconds. During these periods of time (when I can't use the 
network) the station is always associated to the AP.

Basically the problem arises when I observe a stall in a (previously 
initiated) data transfer or I can't open web pages. I'm sure that the 
wireless network is running correctly because I use at the same time a 
second PC working with the p54pci driver. Moreover there are no problems if I 
connect to the router via ethernet cable.

For example, if I ping (during the same period of time) the router from the 
two PCs, I get the following results:

(ath5k based PC)
526 packets transmitted, 366 received, 30% packet loss, time 526508ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 0.896/3.963/223.934/12.986 ms

(p54pci based PC)
525 packets transmitted, 524 received, 0% packet loss, time 526127ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 1.145/8.392/408.565/29.224 ms

Any idea about the problem or how I can debug this situation?

Regards,
Fabio