Why not just create a service to run the packaged software at boot?
But that is just a load of BS really - I know for sure that atheros cards work fine without mains power when you run either Linux or FreeBSD
As to the ioctl codes - that would be specfic to the OS and the driver. Maybe you could email atheros directly and if they can supply any specs. Don't hold your breath though as they won't give them to the open source crowd either!