Intel(R) Wireless-AC 9560 160MHz reports incorrect RCPI for all 802.11k beacon measurement report

[Jeganath]

Hello,

This is Jeganath G T, from Technicolor connected Home Pvt Ltd.
We are leading Home Gateway routers and CPE manufacturers.

We use Dell Latitude 5591 STA with Intel 9590 wireless card runs Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (64-bit).
We use 802.11k beacon measurement feature for some of our software solutions.
We face issues related to 802.11k beacon measurement  in Intel 9560 cards, where RCPI for all 802.11k beacon measurement report is incorrect in report.

Below is the table from 802.11 2016 specification.

RCPI	Description
0	Represents P < –109.5 dBm
1 - 219	Power levels in the range -109.5 < P< 0  are represented by  RCPI = [2 x  (P + 110) ]
220	Represents P> 0 dBm
221 - 254	Reserved
225	Measurement not available

The issue is that the 802.11k beacon measurement reports RCPI value for closely available BSS as very low and far away BSS as high value near to 220.

As per spec,
1) the High RCPI around 220 represents BSS with good signal strength.
2) the Low RCPI near to 0 represents BSS which is very far with poor signal strength.

 Intel(R) Wireless-AC 9560 160MHz reports RCPI in 802.11k in inverse way and violates spec.

We do not see this issue with other  STA like Samsung, Oneplus, redmi.

I am attaching  .text containing beacon response and .JPG file shows corresponding signal strength using InSSIDer.

Kindly provide some feedback about this issue.

Thanks,
Jeganath

[Jeganath]

The same incorrect RCPI  in 802.11k beacon metrics is seen in Intel AX200  11ax wireless devices as well.

[Maria_R_Intel]

Hello Jeganath,

Thank you for posting on the Intel* Community.

To better assist you, please provide us the below information:

• Can you please provide more details? Are you develop software for wireless devices?
• How many systems are affected?
• You said that it worked fine in different systems (like Samsung, Oneplus, Redmi) are those devices phones/tablets? Are you able to test this in a different computer/Laptop? If possible, provide the model, wireless card, and driver version.

Please run the following tool in Windows* and attach the report generated. 

Intel® System Support Utility (Intel® SSU) 

• Intel® SSU Download
• Open the application and click on "Scan" to see the system and device information. By default, Intel® SSU will take you to the "Summary View". 
• Click on the menu where it says "Summary" to change to "Detailed View". 
• To save your scan, click on "Next", then "Save". 

Best regards,

Maria R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Jeganath]

Hello Maria

We are developing software solution using Wifi-Alliance Easymesh standard for our Home wifi routers.
Our solution will assist WiFi stations for Seamless roaming across Multi APs. 
We use 802.11k beacon measurement report as key input parameter for our solution.

We tested our solution with Wifi devices like Samsung smartphones like S10, Note 2,  Oneplus 6 & 7, Redmi K20.

We used to get proper 802.11k beacon measurement report from the above mentioned Wifi devices.

We tried with two different Dell Laptops having Intel wireless (Ax200 and AC9560), we get incorrect 802.11k beacon measurement report.

[Maria_R_Intel]

Hello Jeganath,

My first recommendation is to have the system up to date.

Please, complete all the Windows* pending installations and updates.

I noticed that you are using the driver version 21.40.1.4. The best thing to do is using the drivers that are provided by the system manufacturer or via Windows Update to eliminate the potential impact caused by loading non-customized drivers (Intel's generic drivers that were not tested on your specific system). The system manufacturers regularly customize Intel generic drivers to meet the needs of their specific system design. In such cases, the use of the Intel generic driver update is not recommended.

Please, follow these steps to install the latest driver provided by Dell*.

Step 1: Download and save the latest driver, version  21.110.2.1.

Step 2: Uninstall the Wi-Fi driver.

1. Go to Device Manager.
2. Expand the Network Adapters category.
3. Right-click your Intel Wireless Adapter and choose to uninstall it.
4. Make sure to select the option to Delete the driver software for this device.
5. Repeat steps A through D until the option to Delete the driver software for this device is greyed out.
6. Restart your computer.

Step 3: Driver installation.

Locate the driver you downloaded back in Step 1 and install it.

After these steps, you can try the test again, please, let us know the outcome.

Best regards,

Maria R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Jeganath]

Hello Maria,

I see the same issue even with latest driver  21.110.2.1. from Dell site.

I feel that the issue is likely to present in all Intel wireless, because 802.11k is core of wireless and most of system manufacturers will not modify/change anything in such core area.

Let me know your thoughts.

[Maria_R_Intel]

Hello Jeganath,

Thank you for let us know.

We will proceed to check this internally, the thread will be updated as soon as we have more details to share.

Best regards,

Maria R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[DavidO_Intel]

Hello @Jeganath ,

Your case has been escalated to engineering. Details will be sent by email.

Thank you,

David O

[Jeganath]

Thanks for reply.

Looking forward for reply from engineering team.

[Jeganath]

Hello David

Any feedback from engineering team?

Thanks,

[DavidO_Intel]

Hello @Jeganath 

I have sent a few emails to your email address. Could you please confirm if you have received them? 

I will send you a PM to confirm your address.

thanks

David O

[Jeganath]

Hello David,

Thanks for the reply.
I got mail about engineering status.

How do i reply back for such private mail?

Thanks,

[DavidO_Intel]

Thank you @Jeganath 

Will keep you updated.  Please check your email address for updates.

Thanks

David O.

[DavidO_Intel]

hello @Jeganath .

Please review your email for new updates on your case.

Thanks

David O

[samooo]

I have the same problem with Intel(R) Wireless-AC 9560 160MHz

[DavidO_Intel]

@Jeganath 

Hi, 

wondering if you have any updates about testing? 

Please let us know.

thanks

David O.

[Jeganath]

Hello David,

Unfortunately I didn't receive this email and further. I am not sure whether its firewall or something.
I was waiting for test driver.

If you can share the driver, i will try by tomorrow and provide result soon.

Thanks,
Jeganath G T

[DavidO_Intel]

@Jeganath 

Hi. No problem . Please check you private messages.

Thanks

David O.

[Jeganath]

Hi David,

Thanks for the effort.
I see the issue is fixed in the test driver.
I will continue monitoring further for issues.

Thanks,
Jeganath G T

[Alberto_Sykes]

Hello Jeganath, I just wanted to check if you were able to test the driver, what were the results and if you need further assistance on this matter?

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[Alberto_Sykes]

Hello Jeganath, Since I have not heard back from you, we are closing the case, but if you have any additional questions, please post them on a new thread so we can further assist you with this matter.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel