No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6

No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6

[Bogdan Nicolae]

All,

The chipset in question is Realtek Wifi 8821CE RFE Type 6. Support is
only available up to Type 4 (Kernel 5.14.14). Are there any plans to
provide support for Type 6? If so, when?

Best regards,
Bogdan Nicolae

RE: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6

[Pkshih]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bogdan Nicolae <bogdan.nicolae@acm.org>
> Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2021 1:05 PM
> To: linux-wireless@vger.kernel.org
> Subject: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6
> 
> All,
> 
> The chipset in question is Realtek Wifi 8821CE RFE Type 6. Support is
> only available up to Type 4 (Kernel 5.14.14). Are there any plans to
> provide support for Type 6? If so, when?
> 

We will arrange resources to support RFE type 6. 
ETA is about 3 months.

--
Ping-Ke

RE: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6

[Pkshih]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pkshih
> Sent: Wednesday, November 3, 2021 1:45 PM
> To: 'Bogdan Nicolae' <bogdan.nicolae@acm.org>; linux-wireless@vger.kernel.org
> Subject: RE: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Bogdan Nicolae <bogdan.nicolae@acm.org>
> > Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2021 1:05 PM
> > To: linux-wireless@vger.kernel.org
> > Subject: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6
> >
> > All,
> >
> > The chipset in question is Realtek Wifi 8821CE RFE Type 6. Support is
> > only available up to Type 4 (Kernel 5.14.14). Are there any plans to
> > provide support for Type 6? If so, when?
> >
> 
> We will arrange resources to support RFE type 6.
> ETA is about 3 months.
> 

I check internally with this RFE type, but we don't clear which notebook/computer
uses this type. Could you share the model name of your computer?
Or, you buy the chipset somewhere?
Or, you want to build this chipset into your product. 
Please give us more information to move further.

--
Ping-Ke

Re: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6

[Bogdan Nicolae]

Thanks Ping-Ke,

The Realtek Wifi 8821CE RFE Type 6 is used in a broad range of
embedded systems based on Intel Celeron J4125 SoCs. A popular example
is GK3 Mini PC, sold under a large number of brands, for example:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09FTCPBHK/
These systems are rising in popularity in favor of laptops, as people
tend to stay at home and are looking for affordable upgrades.
Unfortunately, lack of Wifi Linux support is a major drawback.

Best regards,
Bogdan Nicolae


On Wed, Nov 3, 2021 at 3:01 AM Pkshih <pkshih@realtek.com> wrote:
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Pkshih
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 3, 2021 1:45 PM
> > To: 'Bogdan Nicolae' <bogdan.nicolae@acm.org>; linux-wireless@vger.kernel.org
> > Subject: RE: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Bogdan Nicolae <bogdan.nicolae@acm.org>
> > > Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2021 1:05 PM
> > > To: linux-wireless@vger.kernel.org
> > > Subject: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6
> > >
> > > All,
> > >
> > > The chipset in question is Realtek Wifi 8821CE RFE Type 6. Support is
> > > only available up to Type 4 (Kernel 5.14.14). Are there any plans to
> > > provide support for Type 6? If so, when?
> > >
> >
> > We will arrange resources to support RFE type 6.
> > ETA is about 3 months.
> >
>
> I check internally with this RFE type, but we don't clear which notebook/computer
> uses this type. Could you share the model name of your computer?
> Or, you buy the chipset somewhere?
> Or, you want to build this chipset into your product.
> Please give us more information to move further.
>
> --
> Ping-Ke
>


-- 
Bogdan Nicolae
Computer Scientist
Argonne National Laboratory
Web: www.bnicolae.net

Re: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6

[Larry Finger]

On 11/3/21 12:25, Bogdan Nicolae wrote:
> The Realtek Wifi 8821CE RFE Type 6 is used in a broad range of
> embedded systems based on Intel Celeron J4125 SoCs. A popular example
> is GK3 Mini PC, sold under a large number of brands, for example:
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09FTCPBHK/
> These systems are rising in popularity in favor of laptops, as people
> tend to stay at home and are looking for affordable upgrades.
> Unfortunately, lack of Wifi Linux support is a major drawback.

Bogdan,

That is a very interesting piece of hardware at $200. Does that quad-core 
Celeron have enough power to handle Windows 10 with reasonable response? I used 
to volunteer at refurbishing donated computers for resale to low-income users. 
When Microsoft's refurbishing program stopped supporting Windows 7, we 
immediately stopped installing Windows on anything lower than an i3. Quality 
machines with less than that processor got Linux. Those machines were free to users.

Larry

RE: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6

[Pkshih]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bogdan Nicolae <bogdan.nicolae@acm.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 4, 2021 1:26 AM
> To: Pkshih <pkshih@realtek.com>
> Cc: linux-wireless@vger.kernel.org
> Subject: Re: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6
> 
> Thanks Ping-Ke,
> 
> The Realtek Wifi 8821CE RFE Type 6 is used in a broad range of
> embedded systems based on Intel Celeron J4125 SoCs. A popular example
> is GK3 Mini PC, sold under a large number of brands, for example:
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09FTCPBHK/
> These systems are rising in popularity in favor of laptops, as people
> tend to stay at home and are looking for affordable upgrades.
> Unfortunately, lack of Wifi Linux support is a major drawback.
> 

Could you help to confirm following things:

1. Do you see "rfe 6 isn't supported" in kernel log?
   I want to confirm the type again.
2. If you boot this system into Windows 10, does the 8821CE work properly?
   If so, please give me its VID/PID of PCI.
3. Could I have the pictures of the module of both sides? 
   I would like to know the module marker; as well as antenna location.

--
Ping-Ke

Re: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6

[Bogdan Nicolae]

[-- Attachment #1: Type: text/plain, Size: 2081 bytes --]

Ping-Ke,

Happy to help, answers below:

1. Yes, the kernel shows the following (that's why I started this email thread):

[    3.541494] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: Firmware version 24.8.0, H2C version 12
[    3.558760] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: rfe 6 isn't supported
[    3.558890] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: failed to setup chip efuse info
[    3.558893] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: failed to setup chip information

2. Unfortunately, I don't have a Windows 10 setup readily available

3. The module is soldered onto the motherboard, so I can only show you
one side. Picture is attached.
It looks like it's produced by CDTech (China Dragon?):
https://fcc.report/FCC-ID/ROW-61821CE/5189720.pdf
There are two antennas, one for 2G, another for 5G shared with
Bluetooth. Maybe the type 4 driver will work for it out of the box?

Best,
Bogdan

On Wed, Nov 3, 2021 at 7:17 PM Pkshih <pkshih@realtek.com> wrote:
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Bogdan Nicolae <bogdan.nicolae@acm.org>
> > Sent: Thursday, November 4, 2021 1:26 AM
> > To: Pkshih <pkshih@realtek.com>
> > Cc: linux-wireless@vger.kernel.org
> > Subject: Re: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6
> >
> > Thanks Ping-Ke,
> >
> > The Realtek Wifi 8821CE RFE Type 6 is used in a broad range of
> > embedded systems based on Intel Celeron J4125 SoCs. A popular example
> > is GK3 Mini PC, sold under a large number of brands, for example:
> > https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09FTCPBHK/
> > These systems are rising in popularity in favor of laptops, as people
> > tend to stay at home and are looking for affordable upgrades.
> > Unfortunately, lack of Wifi Linux support is a major drawback.
> >
>
> Could you help to confirm following things:
>
> 1. Do you see "rfe 6 isn't supported" in kernel log?
>    I want to confirm the type again.
> 2. If you boot this system into Windows 10, does the 8821CE work properly?
>    If so, please give me its VID/PID of PCI.
> 3. Could I have the pictures of the module of both sides?
>    I would like to know the module marker; as well as antenna location.
>
> --
> Ping-Ke

[-- Attachment #2: CDTech-61821CE.jpg --]
[-- Type: image/jpeg, Size: 411303 bytes --]

RE: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6

[Pkshih]

Hi Bogdan,

Thanks for your information. 
Since we don't have this module, I'll have internal discussion further.

I have a quick look of RFE type 0, 2, 4 and 6. I think type 0 and 6
are similar. So, could you try following patch to see if it works?

diff --git a/rtw8821c.c b/rtw8821c.c
index 80a6f4da..1b86a21b 100644
--- a/rtw8821c.c
+++ b/rtw8821c.c
@@ -1513,6 +1513,7 @@ static const struct rtw_rfe_def rtw8821c_rfe_defs[] = {
        [0] = RTW_DEF_RFE(8821c, 0, 0),
        [2] = RTW_DEF_RFE_EXT(8821c, 0, 0, 2),
        [4] = RTW_DEF_RFE_EXT(8821c, 0, 0, 2),
+       [6] = RTW_DEF_RFE(8821c, 0, 0),
 };

--
Ping-Ke

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bogdan Nicolae <bogdan.nicolae@acm.org>
> Sent: Friday, November 5, 2021 10:10 AM
> To: Pkshih <pkshih@realtek.com>
> Cc: linux-wireless@vger.kernel.org
> Subject: Re: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6
> 
> Ping-Ke,
> 
> Happy to help, answers below:
> 
> 1. Yes, the kernel shows the following (that's why I started this email thread):
> 
> [    3.541494] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: Firmware version 24.8.0, H2C version 12
> [    3.558760] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: rfe 6 isn't supported
> [    3.558890] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: failed to setup chip efuse info
> [    3.558893] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: failed to setup chip information
> 
> 2. Unfortunately, I don't have a Windows 10 setup readily available
> 
> 3. The module is soldered onto the motherboard, so I can only show you
> one side. Picture is attached.
> It looks like it's produced by CDTech (China Dragon?):
> https://fcc.report/FCC-ID/ROW-61821CE/5189720.pdf
> There are two antennas, one for 2G, another for 5G shared with
> Bluetooth. Maybe the type 4 driver will work for it out of the box?
> 
> Best,
> Bogdan
> 
> On Wed, Nov 3, 2021 at 7:17 PM Pkshih <pkshih@realtek.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Bogdan Nicolae <bogdan.nicolae@acm.org>
> > > Sent: Thursday, November 4, 2021 1:26 AM
> > > To: Pkshih <pkshih@realtek.com>
> > > Cc: linux-wireless@vger.kernel.org
> > > Subject: Re: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6
> > >
> > > Thanks Ping-Ke,
> > >
> > > The Realtek Wifi 8821CE RFE Type 6 is used in a broad range of
> > > embedded systems based on Intel Celeron J4125 SoCs. A popular example
> > > is GK3 Mini PC, sold under a large number of brands, for example:
> > > https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09FTCPBHK/
> > > These systems are rising in popularity in favor of laptops, as people
> > > tend to stay at home and are looking for affordable upgrades.
> > > Unfortunately, lack of Wifi Linux support is a major drawback.
> > >
> >
> > Could you help to confirm following things:
> >
> > 1. Do you see "rfe 6 isn't supported" in kernel log?
> >    I want to confirm the type again.
> > 2. If you boot this system into Windows 10, does the 8821CE work properly?
> >    If so, please give me its VID/PID of PCI.
> > 3. Could I have the pictures of the module of both sides?
> >    I would like to know the module marker; as well as antenna location.
> >
> > --
> > Ping-Ke
> ------Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

Re: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6

[Stuart Longland]

On Mon, 8 Nov 2021 03:28:07 +0000
Hi Ping Ke, Bogdan et all…
Pkshih <pkshih@realtek.com> wrote:

> Thanks for your information. 
> Since we don't have this module, I'll have internal discussion further.
> 
> I have a quick look of RFE type 0, 2, 4 and 6. I think type 0 and 6
> are similar. So, could you try following patch to see if it works?
> 
> diff --git a/rtw8821c.c b/rtw8821c.c
> index 80a6f4da..1b86a21b 100644
> --- a/rtw8821c.c
> +++ b/rtw8821c.c
> @@ -1513,6 +1513,7 @@ static const struct rtw_rfe_def rtw8821c_rfe_defs[] = {
>         [0] = RTW_DEF_RFE(8821c, 0, 0),
>         [2] = RTW_DEF_RFE_EXT(8821c, 0, 0, 2),
>         [4] = RTW_DEF_RFE_EXT(8821c, 0, 0, 2),
> +       [6] = RTW_DEF_RFE(8821c, 0, 0),
>  };

I'll give this patch a try but I stumbled on another machine with this
particular WiFi chip… the Leader SN4PROv3.

I have 14 of them sitting here… all victims of the 2022 Brisbane flood.
(My workplace at Milton bought a lot of these to load with Linux and
run NodeRED flows on … then the Brisbane River decided to get out of
bed and check them out.)

Despite this, they all power on, and I'm going through and assessing
the condition of the survivors.  If there's any corrosion, so far it's
on mounting hardware like screws, with little on the PCBs itself.  The
machines were in their factory packaging at the time.

I've got three powered on now, doing a test install of Gentoo Linux as
a stress-test.  Two of the lot are happily talking on the WiFi network
here with no ill effects… barring the odd complaint:

[    4.076641] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: enabling device (0000 -> 0003)
[    4.084721] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: Firmware version 24.8.0, H2C version 12
[    4.108215] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0 wlp3s0: renamed from wlan0
[    7.196982] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: start vif 24:18:c6:cd:e2:28 on port 0
[   16.273500] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: sta 7a:45:58:c8:b4:33 joined with macid 0
[   16.801990] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: failed to get tx report from firmware
[ 3104.402095] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: firmware failed to leave lps state
[ 3844.402114] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: firmware failed to leave lps state
[11020.402339] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: firmware failed to leave lps state
[11404.402353] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: firmware failed to leave lps state

A third one reports the error mentioned in this thread.  I'll grab more
details when I get it onto a wired network (at the moment it's
isolated).  Sadly, I've just nuked its Windows 10 installation.  (Not
that I expect such an OS to run well on a Celeron N3350 with 4GB RAM.)

The WiFi module appears to be soldered to the main PCB: not removable
without a hot air gun.  Seems strange that the same model PC would have
two different versions of the same family of modules.

Questions:

1. is it possible to read what "RFE" type the two working units are?
2. is this RFE value derived from reading GPIO pins?  (i.e. is possible
   my type 6 is actually a type 2 or type 4; but with some Brisbane River
   crud shorting pins out?)

-- 
Stuart Longland (aka Redhatter, VK4MSL)

I haven't lost my mind...
  ...it's backed up on a tape somewhere.

Re: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6

[Stuart Longland]

On Mon, 8 Nov 2021 03:28:07 +0000
Pkshih <pkshih@realtek.com> wrote:

> > > 2. If you boot this system into Windows 10, does the 8821CE work properly?
> > >    If so, please give me its VID/PID of PCI.

Found a second specimen that does the same thing.  Yes, the WiFi
adaptor works under Windows 10.  (Felt dirty booting that crummy OS up,
but it was done for "science".)

Windows device detail: http://static.vk4msl.id.au/2022/03/13-rtl8821ce/wifi-detail.png
Linux `lspci`: http://static.vk4msl.id.au/2022/03/13-rtl8821ce/lspci.txt

The `dmesg` from SysRescueCD 9.01 (AMD64):
http://static.vk4msl.id.au/2022/03/13-rtl8821ce/dmesg-sysrescuecd-9.01-amd64.txt

The Bluetooth part is detected:
[   29.648630] Bluetooth: hci0: RTL: examining hci_ver=08 hci_rev=000c lmp_ver=08 lmp_subver=8821
[   29.664180] Bluetooth: hci0: RTL: rom_version status=0 version=1
[   29.664185] Bluetooth: hci0: RTL: loading rtl_bt/rtl8821c_fw.bin
[   29.680954] Bluetooth: hci0: RTL: loading rtl_bt/rtl8821c_config.bin
[   29.683629] Bluetooth: hci0: RTL: cfg_sz 10, total sz 31990

The WiFi part reports this error:
[   30.754716] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: enabling device (0000 -> 0003)
[   30.772302] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: Firmware version 24.8.0, H2C version 12
[   30.790815] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: rfe 6 isn't supported
[   30.790927] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: failed to setup chip efuse info
[   30.790930] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: failed to setup chip information

… now to try that patch.
-- 
Stuart Longland (aka Redhatter, VK4MSL)

I haven't lost my mind...
  ...it's backed up on a tape somewhere.

Re: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6

[Stuart Longland]

On Sun, 13 Mar 2022 14:01:41 +1000
Stuart Longland <stuartl@longlandclan.id.au> wrote:

> On Mon, 8 Nov 2021 03:28:07 +0000
> Pkshih <pkshih@realtek.com> wrote:
> 
> > > > 2. If you boot this system into Windows 10, does the 8821CE work properly?
> > > >    If so, please give me its VID/PID of PCI.

> … now to try that patch.

The patch as given does not apply, but I managed to hand-fiddle it:

--- rtw8821c.c.orig     2022-03-13 15:13:34.406747572 +1000
+++ rtw8821c.c  2022-03-13 15:14:20.292573052 +1000
@@ -1498,6 +1498,7 @@
 static const struct rtw_rfe_def rtw8821c_rfe_defs[] = {
        [0] = RTW_DEF_RFE(8821c, 0, 0),
        [2] = RTW_DEF_RFE_EXT(8821c, 0, 0, 2),
+       [6] = RTW_DEF_RFE(8821c, 0, 0),
 };
 
 static struct rtw_hw_reg rtw8821c_dig[] = {

This indeed fixes the problem:
http://static.vk4msl.id.au/2022/03/13-rtl8821ce/patched-dmesg.txt

[    4.166495] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: enabling device (0000 -> 0003)
[    4.173911] Loading firmware: rtw88/rtw8821c_fw.bin
[    4.185625] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: Firmware version 24.8.0, H2C version 12
[    4.273629] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0 wlp3s0: renamed from wlan0
[    7.186954] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: start vif 0c:cf:89:ac:ac:be on port 0
[   16.074249] wlp3s0: authenticate with 7a:45:58:c8:b4:33
[   16.692213] wlp3s0: send auth to 7a:45:58:c8:b4:33 (try 1/3)
[   16.693038] wlp3s0: authenticated
[   16.711971] wlp3s0: associate with 7a:45:58:c8:b4:33 (try 1/3)
[   16.713480] wlp3s0: RX AssocResp from 7a:45:58:c8:b4:33 (capab=0x1111 status=0 aid=15)
[   16.713526] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: sta 7a:45:58:c8:b4:33 joined with macid 0
[   16.713795] wlp3s0: associated
[   16.832337] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_CHANGE): wlp3s0: link becomes ready
[   17.241966] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: failed to get tx report from firmware
-- 
Stuart Longland (aka Redhatter, VK4MSL)

I haven't lost my mind...
  ...it's backed up on a tape somewhere.

Re: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6

[Larry Finger]

On 3/12/22 23:24, Stuart Longland wrote:
> On Sun, 13 Mar 2022 14:01:41 +1000
> Stuart Longland <stuartl@longlandclan.id.au> wrote:
> 
>> On Mon, 8 Nov 2021 03:28:07 +0000
>> Pkshih <pkshih@realtek.com> wrote:
>>
>>>>> 2. If you boot this system into Windows 10, does the 8821CE work properly?
>>>>>     If so, please give me its VID/PID of PCI.
> 
>> … now to try that patch.
> 
> The patch as given does not apply, but I managed to hand-fiddle it:
> 
> --- rtw8821c.c.orig     2022-03-13 15:13:34.406747572 +1000
> +++ rtw8821c.c  2022-03-13 15:14:20.292573052 +1000
> @@ -1498,6 +1498,7 @@
>   static const struct rtw_rfe_def rtw8821c_rfe_defs[] = {
>          [0] = RTW_DEF_RFE(8821c, 0, 0),
>          [2] = RTW_DEF_RFE_EXT(8821c, 0, 0, 2),
> +       [6] = RTW_DEF_RFE(8821c, 0, 0),
>   };
>   
>   static struct rtw_hw_reg rtw8821c_dig[] = {
> 
> This indeed fixes the problem:
> http://static.vk4msl.id.au/2022/03/13-rtl8821ce/patched-dmesg.txt
> 
> [    4.166495] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: enabling device (0000 -> 0003)
> [    4.173911] Loading firmware: rtw88/rtw8821c_fw.bin
> [    4.185625] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: Firmware version 24.8.0, H2C version 12
> [    4.273629] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0 wlp3s0: renamed from wlan0
> [    7.186954] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: start vif 0c:cf:89:ac:ac:be on port 0
> [   16.074249] wlp3s0: authenticate with 7a:45:58:c8:b4:33
> [   16.692213] wlp3s0: send auth to 7a:45:58:c8:b4:33 (try 1/3)
> [   16.693038] wlp3s0: authenticated
> [   16.711971] wlp3s0: associate with 7a:45:58:c8:b4:33 (try 1/3)
> [   16.713480] wlp3s0: RX AssocResp from 7a:45:58:c8:b4:33 (capab=0x1111 status=0 aid=15)
> [   16.713526] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: sta 7a:45:58:c8:b4:33 joined with macid 0
> [   16.713795] wlp3s0: associated
> [   16.832337] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_CHANGE): wlp3s0: link becomes ready
> [   17.241966] rtw_8821ce 0000:03:00.0: failed to get tx report from firmware

Stuart,

Yes, that patch has fallen through the cracks. It has been in my repo at 
git://github.com/lwfinger/rtw88.git since Dec. 31, 2021, but is not in 
wireless-drivers-next, and not in the mainline kernel. I have added the 
maintainer for the wireless drivers to this reply, and I will follow up with him.

Larry


I recommend the GitHub repo as it will get such fixes much more quickly.