How do I enable my Broadcom WLAN adapter with Ubuntu or Bactrack in VMware?

Here’s the deal… I have been trying for weeks to use and get online thru my Wireless Adapter (WLAN) I have a Broadcom 43xx 802.11b/g adapter… I’m interested in connecting using Linux Ubuntu 10 or 11 and Backtrack 3 thru VMware virtual machine… I can’t get it to detect my WLAN… also is it better if I boot from a USB Flash Drive with Ubuntu or Backtrack on it and try that way??? Will that way be able to detect my WLAN??? Obviously I don’t plan on fully installing Ubuntu or Backtrack on my HDD… Just run them from the USB Flash… Is that method better than using VMware?? BTW my main OS is Win7 Ultimate SP1 and VMware is v7.1…Please help me out so I can get online with my WLAN…thanks!!!