Some of the basic commands used :

1. for setting the mode( ap/sta/monitor)

ifconfig ath0 down

wlanconfig ath0 destroy

wlanconfig ath0 create wlandev wifi0 wlanmode <mode>

ifconfig ath0 up

2. check status of interface

iwconfig ath0

3. set transmission power

iwconfig ath0 txpower <number>

-- AmitaEkbote - 21 May 2009