The best replacement for atheros is realtek.

The best alternatives to atheros are rated as following:
★★★★★  realtek
★★★  broadcom
★★★  ralink
★★★  intel wireless
★★  intel wifi
★★  broadcom router
★  azurewave
★  broadcom dd-wrt
  broadcom dd wrt
  intel pro

Your alternative for atheros is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about atheros, one probably shouldn't forget about netstumbler.

Other search terms related to atheros and their ratings are:
★★★★★ netstumbler
★★★ monitor mode
You have in mind a companion for atheros and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of atheros in all years. Click on graph for more.
atheros
realtek
broadcom