802.11v BTM frame seens don't work on ax211 products

[hongdanyang]

I am a Wi-Fi engineer. I sent a  802.11v BTM frame to AX211 products to move them to another AP. However, the AX211 card only responded with "Accepted" and did not move to the other AP. I want to know why it is that?  I would like to know why this phenomenon occurs. Does the AX211 have its own AP selection algorithm? If so, what is it like? 

In what scenarios can the AX211 be moved to another AP using BTM?

[Mike_Intel]

Hello hongdanyang,

Thank you for posting in Intel community Forum.

For me to further check this, please help provide the following details:

1. When did you start using this product?
2. Was it working fine before?
3. Did you change any settings before the issue started?
4. What is the brand and model of your system?
5. Can you tell more why are you testing the product this way?
6. What is the OS?
7. Are you designing a system or motherboard with this product?

If you have questions, please let us know. Thank you.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[hongdanyang]

I. Detailed Background:
      First, let me elaborate on the background. Our company is an AP device manufacturer.

      In many customer scenarios involving PC office work, some laptops need to be steered to a closer AP due to far associations; or some stations need to roam, which also requires steering the station to a nearer AP to improve the user experience.

      We are using  BTM frame of 802.11v protocol, which allows stations to autonomously associate from one AP to another. However, we have found that wifi cards such as the AX211 and AX201 do not respond to BTM frames for steering.

II. Answers to Your Questions:
(1) see the Background.

(2)  The success rate is relatively low; there have been some successful instances in the past. We suspect that Intel network cards have their own judgment mechanisms that prevent them from following the guidance.

(3) No Configuration Changes:

(4) The system is Windows 10, and the tested laptops are from Dell and HP.

(5) Testing Method:
       a. Testing Environment: Two APs are used, deployed at a height of 3 meters with an 8-meter distance between them. The laptop with the Intel network card is placed in the middle position between the APs.
       b. Association: The station is associated with AP1.
       c. BTM Frame Transmission: AP1 sends BTM frames attempting to steer the PC to AP2, but the guidance is unsuccessful.
      d. Packet Capture: Using Wireshark, we observed that the PC replies "accepted" in BTM Respond, but it does not successfully associate with AP2.
     e. Testing with Xiaomi 14 or other phone : When the PC is replaced with a Xiaomi 14 phone, it can successfully be steered through BTM.

(6)Operating System: The system is Windows.

(7)Our Objective: We are an AP device manufacturer. Sometime, we need to steer stations through BTM to better APs. However, we are currently facing issues with Intel network cards not following the steer, resulting in a poor Wi-Fi experience for the stations.

[Earl_Intel]

Hello hongdanyang,

Thank you for sharing this useful information with us.

No worries, I'll further review and check the issue you brought up internally, I will provide you an update on this thread as soon as OI can.

Best regards,

Earl E.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[hongdanyang]

Hello Earl_Intel，

Thank you for reply。

Do you have any further updates on this issue? Why is it that？

[Earl_Intel]

Hi hongdanyang,

Thank you for patiently waiting on us.

I will send you a private email within the day, kindly check the email in your free time.

Best regards,

Earl E.

Intel Customer Support Technician