Re: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6

From: Bogdan Nicolae <bogdan.nicolae@acm.org>
To: Pkshih <pkshih@realtek.com>
Cc: "linux-wireless@vger.kernel.org" <linux-wireless@vger.kernel.org>
Subject: Re: No support for Realtek 8821CE RFE Type 6
Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2021 21:10:13 -0500	[thread overview]
Message-ID: <CA+ORkNSzju=Oj4wy8s258exeWOSLEHRAfCoS+ViF-rprdtEr6g@mail.gmail.com> (raw)
In-Reply-To: <e57352ddd0644463b398d6dc0a6e6a86@realtek.com>

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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

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