Answer
1. Add two modules in the list of blacklist.conf:
vi /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
blacklist cfg80211
blacklist mac80211
2. Export the kernel settings and build driver:
export KLIB_BUILD=/lib/modules/4.4.0-31-generic/build
export KLIB=/lib/modules/4.4.0-31-generic/kernel
tar xf backports-laird-7.0.0.242.tar.bz2 -C projects/
cd ~/projects/laird-backport-7.0.0.242/
make defconfig-sterling60
make
3. Copy firmware to host and add link file (here is an example of the PCIE option):
sudo mkdir /lib/firmware/lrdmwl
sudo cp 88W8997_ST_pcie_uart_v5.4.24.1.bin /lib/firmware/lrdmwl/
sudo cp regulatory_sterling60.db /lib/firmware/
cd /lib/firmware/lrdmwl
sudo ln -s 88W8997_ST_pcie_uart_v5.4.24.1.bin 88W8997_pcie.bin
sudo ln -s /lib/firmware/regulatory_sterling60.db /lib/firmware/regulatory.db
4. Load the drivers:
cd ~/projects/laird-backport-7.0.0.242/
sudo insmod compat/compat.ko
sudo insmod net/wireless/cfg80211.ko
sudo insmod net/mac80211/mac80211.ko
sudo insmod drivers/net/wireless/laird/lrdmwl/lrdmwl.ko
sudo insmod drivers/net/wireless/laird/lrdmwl/lrdmwl_pcie.ko