RTL8922AE: Fixing 6 GHz Antenna Pattern Support

Nov 28, 2025 by Alex Johnson 48 views

Introduction

This article addresses a bug encountered while setting up a 6 GHz Access Point (AP) using the RTL8922AE driver in OpenWrt. Specifically, the issue revolves around the driver's lack of support for the configured HE (High Efficiency) 6 GHz Rx (Receive) Antenna Pattern. This problem manifests as an error during the hostapd (Host Access Point Daemon) configuration, preventing the 6 GHz AP from functioning correctly. Let's dive into the details, potential causes, and solutions to resolve this issue.

The core of the problem lies in the configuration of the HE 6 GHz Rx Antenna Pattern, which appears to be unsupported by the current driver version. When attempting to establish a 6 GHz AP in either AX (Wi-Fi 6) or BE (Wi-Fi 7) mode, the hostapd throws an error, indicating a mismatch or incompatibility between the configured antenna pattern and the driver's capabilities. This article aims to guide you through the process of diagnosing and resolving this issue, ensuring your RTL8922AE-based 6 GHz network operates smoothly. We'll examine the configuration files, error logs, and potential workarounds to get your wireless network up and running.

Understanding the Issue: RTL8922AE and 6 GHz Configuration

The RTL8922AE is a network interface card (NIC) commonly used in devices running OpenWrt. It supports various Wi-Fi standards, including the newer 6 GHz band, which offers increased bandwidth and reduced interference compared to the traditional 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. However, as with any hardware and software integration, compatibility issues can arise. One such issue is the “driver does not support the configured HE 6 GHz Rx Antenna Pattern” error.

This error typically occurs when the hostapd, the software responsible for managing the wireless access point, attempts to configure the 6 GHz radio with specific antenna patterns that the RTL8922AE driver doesn't support. The antenna pattern configuration is crucial for optimizing signal reception and transmission. Incorrect settings can lead to connectivity problems or a complete failure of the wireless interface. The he_6ghz_rx_ant_pat and he_6ghz_tx_ant_pat parameters in the hostapd configuration file (hostapd.conf) play a significant role here. These parameters define the antenna patterns for receiving and transmitting signals in the 6 GHz band, respectively. If these values are not correctly set or if the driver does not support the specified patterns, the hostapd will fail to initialize the interface, resulting in the error we are addressing.

The provided configuration files, including /etc/config/wireless and /run/hostapd-phy[0,1].conf, give us a glimpse into the setup that triggers this issue. Examining these files, we can identify the specific settings that might be causing the incompatibility. The wireless configuration file outlines the basic wireless network settings, such as the band, channel, and security protocols. On the other hand, the hostapd.conf files contain more detailed configurations, including the antenna pattern settings, which are central to the problem. Understanding the interplay between these configuration files and the RTL8922AE driver is essential for troubleshooting and implementing effective solutions.

Analyzing the Configuration Files

To effectively troubleshoot this issue, let's examine the provided configuration files. The /etc/config/wireless file shows the basic wireless configuration for two radio interfaces, radio0 and radio1. Both are configured to operate in the 6 GHz band, with radio0 using HE160 (High Efficiency 160 MHz) mode and radio1 using EHT160 (Extremely High Throughput 160 MHz) mode. The key settings in this file include:

option band '6g' : Specifies the 6 GHz band.
option channel '1' : Sets the channel to 1.
option htmode 'HE160' or option htmode 'EHT160' : Defines the mode of operation (Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7).
option country 'JP' : Sets the country code to Japan.

The /run/hostapd-phy0.conf and /run/hostapd-phy1.conf files contain the runtime configuration for hostapd. These files are dynamically generated based on the settings in /etc/config/wireless and other system configurations. Key parameters to focus on include:

he_6ghz_reg_pwr_type=0
he_bss_color=128
ieee80211ax=1 or ieee80211be=1
he_oper_chwidth=2
he_oper_centr_freq_seg0_idx=15

The error message, “The driver does not support the configured HE 6 GHz Rx Antenna Pattern,” suggests that the issue lies within these hostapd.conf files, specifically with parameters related to the HE 6 GHz antenna configuration. It is suspected that the he_6ghz_rx_ant_pat and/or he_6ghz_tx_ant_pat parameters might need to be set to 0 to resolve the incompatibility. However, these parameters are not explicitly present in the provided configuration files, indicating that they might be using default values that are causing the problem.

To further diagnose the issue, we need to understand how these parameters are being set and whether the default values are indeed the root cause. It is possible that the driver has certain limitations or requirements regarding the antenna patterns it supports, and the default configuration does not align with these requirements. Therefore, exploring potential solutions involves explicitly setting these parameters to values known to be compatible with the RTL8922AE driver.

Potential Solutions and Workarounds

Based on the analysis, the most likely cause of the issue is the default configuration of the HE 6 GHz antenna pattern parameters in hostapd, which may not be supported by the RTL8922AE driver. Here are several potential solutions and workarounds to address this problem:

Explicitly Set Antenna Pattern Parameters: The first and most straightforward approach is to explicitly set the he_6ghz_rx_ant_pat and he_6ghz_tx_ant_pat parameters to 0 in the /etc/config/wireless file. This can be done by adding the following options to the wifi-device sections for radio0 and radio1:
```
option he_6ghz_rx_ant_pat '0'
option he_6ghz_tx_ant_pat '0'
```
After adding these lines, you need to restart the wireless interface for the changes to take effect. This can be done using the following commands:
```
wifi down radio0
wifi up radio0
wifi down radio1
wifi up radio1
```
By setting these parameters to 0, we are instructing hostapd to use a default or basic antenna pattern, which might be more compatible with the driver.
Update the RTL8922AE Driver: An outdated driver might lack support for certain features or configurations. Check if there is a newer version of the RTL8922AE driver available for OpenWrt. Updating the driver can often resolve compatibility issues and improve overall performance. You can typically update drivers through the OpenWrt package manager or by flashing a newer firmware image.
Modify Hostapd Configuration Template: OpenWrt uses templates to generate the hostapd.conf files. You can modify these templates to include the he_6ghz_rx_ant_pat and he_6ghz_tx_ant_pat parameters with a default value of 0. This ensures that the parameters are always explicitly set, regardless of other configurations. The templates are usually located in /usr/lib/wifi/. Identify the relevant template for your configuration and add the following lines:
```
{% if device.he_6ghz_rx_ant_pat is not defined %}
he_6ghz_rx_ant_pat=0
{% endif %}
{% if device.he_6ghz_tx_ant_pat is not defined %}
he_6ghz_tx_ant_pat=0
{% endif %}
```
This approach ensures that if the parameters are not explicitly defined in the wireless configuration, they default to 0.
Check for Firmware Updates: Sometimes, the issue might be related to the device firmware rather than the driver itself. Ensure that your Radxa ROCK 5 ITX has the latest firmware installed. Firmware updates can include fixes for hardware compatibility issues and improve overall system stability.
Consult OpenWrt Forums and Documentation: The OpenWrt community is a valuable resource for troubleshooting. Search the OpenWrt forums and documentation for similar issues and solutions. Other users might have encountered the same problem and found effective workarounds or fixes.
Report the Bug: If none of the above solutions work, consider reporting the bug to the OpenWrt developers. Providing detailed information about your configuration, logs, and the steps you've taken can help them identify and fix the issue in future releases.

By systematically trying these solutions, you should be able to resolve the “driver does not support the configured HE 6 GHz Rx Antenna Pattern” error and get your RTL8922AE-based 6 GHz network operational.

Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing the Primary Solution

To explicitly set the antenna pattern parameters, follow these steps:

Step 1: Edit the Wireless Configuration File

Open the /etc/config/wireless file using a text editor such as vi or nano.
```
vi /etc/config/wireless
```
or
```
nano /etc/config/wireless
```
Locate the config wifi-device 'radio0' and config wifi-device 'radio1' sections.

Add the following lines within each section:

option he_6ghz_rx_ant_pat '0'
option he_6ghz_tx_ant_pat '0'

For example:

config wifi-device 'radio0'
	option type 'mac80211'
	option path 'a40000000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:00.0/0000:01:00.0'
	option band '6g'
	option channel '1'
	option htmode 'HE160'
	option country 'JP'
	option cell_density '0'
	option he_6ghz_rx_ant_pat '0'
	option he_6ghz_tx_ant_pat '0'

Repeat the same for the radio1 section.

Save the file and exit the text editor.

Step 2: Restart the Wireless Interfaces

Bring down the wireless interfaces.
```
wifi down radio0
wifi down radio1
```
Bring up the wireless interfaces.
```
wifi up radio0
wifi up radio1
```

Step 3: Verify the Configuration

Check the system logs for any errors related to hostapd.
```
logread | grep hostapd
```
If the interfaces come up without errors, try connecting to the 6 GHz network to verify that the issue is resolved.

By following these steps, you can explicitly set the antenna pattern parameters and potentially resolve the compatibility issue with the RTL8922AE driver.

Conclusion

The “driver does not support the configured HE 6 GHz Rx Antenna Pattern” error when setting up a 6 GHz AP with the RTL8922AE driver in OpenWrt can be a frustrating issue. However, by understanding the underlying causes and systematically applying the solutions outlined in this article, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve the problem. Explicitly setting the he_6ghz_rx_ant_pat and he_6ghz_tx_ant_pat parameters to 0 is often the key to resolving this incompatibility. Additionally, keeping your drivers and firmware up to date and leveraging the OpenWrt community resources can provide further assistance in ensuring a stable and performant 6 GHz wireless network.

Remember to always back up your configuration files before making changes and to proceed with caution when modifying system settings. With the right approach, you can unlock the full potential of your RTL8922AE device and enjoy the benefits of the 6 GHz band.

For more information on OpenWrt and network configuration, visit the official OpenWrt website.