Belkin RT3200/Linksys E8450 WiFi AX discussion

For Developers
1

Bringing the discussion over from here - https://github.com/dangowrt/linksys-e8450-openwrt-installer/issues/7

I'll try to keep this updated - drop progress/thoughts below!

Working (snapshot)

Not working

Not tested

  • 2.4Ghz AX (i.e. 11g w/ HE) (not supported)
  • 6Ghz (not supported)
15 Likes
2

Neither of these are supported by the hardware.

3 Likes
3

HE160 and HE80P80 are supported by the hardware?
I know HE80 is supported despite the OEM only offering up to HE40.

Can you post an iw phyX info for both Phys please? I assume iw is patched enough to understand the capabilities the radio will report.

4

Yup it's fully supported according to iw list

HE PHY Capabilities: (0x5c70ce126d00f3064e3f00):
    HE40/HE80/5GHz
    HE160/5GHz
    HE160/HE80+80/5GHz
Full output 
Wiphy phy1
	wiphy index: 1
	max # scan SSIDs: 4
	max scan IEs length: 2190 bytes
	max # sched scan SSIDs: 0
	max # match sets: 0
	Retry short limit: 7
	Retry long limit: 4
	Coverage class: 0 (up to 0m)
	Device supports AP-side u-APSD.
	Device supports T-DLS.
	Available Antennas: TX 0xf RX 0xf
	Configured Antennas: TX 0xf RX 0xf
	Supported interface modes:
		 * IBSS
		 * managed
		 * AP
		 * AP/VLAN
		 * monitor
		 * mesh point
		 * P2P-client
		 * P2P-GO
	Band 2:
		Capabilities: 0x9ff
			RX LDPC
			HT20/HT40
			SM Power Save disabled
			RX Greenfield
			RX HT20 SGI
			RX HT40 SGI
			TX STBC
			RX STBC 1-stream
			Max AMSDU length: 7935 bytes
			No DSSS/CCK HT40
		Maximum RX AMPDU length 65535 bytes (exponent: 0x003)
		Minimum RX AMPDU time spacing: No restriction (0x00)
		HT TX/RX MCS rate indexes supported: 0-31
		VHT Capabilities (0x339b79f9):
			Max MPDU length: 7991
			Supported Channel Width: 160 MHz, 80+80 MHz
			RX LDPC
			short GI (80 MHz)
			short GI (160/80+80 MHz)
			TX STBC
			SU Beamformer
			SU Beamformee
			MU Beamformer
			MU Beamformee
			RX antenna pattern consistency
			TX antenna pattern consistency
		VHT RX MCS set:
			1 streams: MCS 0-9
			2 streams: MCS 0-9
			3 streams: MCS 0-9
			4 streams: MCS 0-9
			5 streams: not supported
			6 streams: not supported
			7 streams: not supported
			8 streams: not supported
		VHT RX highest supported: 0 Mbps
		VHT TX MCS set:
			1 streams: MCS 0-9
			2 streams: MCS 0-9
			3 streams: MCS 0-9
			4 streams: MCS 0-9
			5 streams: not supported
			6 streams: not supported
			7 streams: not supported
			8 streams: not supported
		VHT TX highest supported: 0 Mbps
		HE Iftypes: Station
			HE MAC Capabilities (0x08031a000040):
				+HTC HE Supported
				TWT Requester
				Trigger Frame MAC Padding Duration: 2
				OM Control
				Maximum A-MPDU Length Exponent: 3
				A-MSDU in A-MPDU
			HE PHY Capabilities: (0x5c70ce126d00f3064e3f00):
				HE40/HE80/5GHz
				HE160/5GHz
				HE160/HE80+80/5GHz
				242 tone RUs/5GHz
				Device Class: 1
				LDPC Coding in Payload
				HE SU PPDU with 1x HE-LTF and 0.8us GI
				NDP with 4x HE-LTF and 3.2us GI
				STBC Tx <= 80MHz
				STBC Rx <= 80MHz
				Full Bandwidth UL MU-MIMO
				Partial Bandwidth UL MU-MIMO
				DCM Max Constellation: 2
				DCM Max Constellation Rx: 2
				SU Beamformee
				Beamformee STS <= 80Mhz: 3
				Beamformee STS > 80Mhz: 3
				Codebook Size SU Feedback
				Codebook Size MU Feedback
				Triggered CQI Feedback
				Partial Bandwidth Extended Range
				Partial Bandwidth DL MU-MIMO
				PPE Threshold Present
				Power Boost Factor ar
				HE SU PPDU & HE PPDU 4x HE-LTF 0.8us GI
				20MHz in 40MHz HE PPDU 2.4GHz
				20MHz in 160/80+80MHz HE PPDU
				80MHz in 160/80+80MHz HE PPDU
				DCM Max BW: 1
				Longer Than 16HE SIG-B OFDM Symbols
				Non-Triggered CQI Feedback
				TX 1024-QAM
				RX 1024-QAM
				RX Full BW SU Using HE MU PPDU with Compression SIGB
				RX Full BW SU Using HE MU PPDU with Non-Compression SIGB
			HE RX MCS and NSS set <= 80 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			HE TX MCS and NSS set <= 80 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			HE RX MCS and NSS set 160 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			HE TX MCS and NSS set 160 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			HE RX MCS and NSS set 80+80 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			HE TX MCS and NSS set 80+80 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			PPE Threshold 0x3b 0x1c 0xc7 0x71 0x1c 0xc7 0x71 0x1c 0xc7 0x71 
		HE Iftypes: AP
			HE MAC Capabilities (0x00051a081044):
				+HTC HE Supported
				TWT Responder
				BSR
				OM Control
				Maximum A-MPDU Length Exponent: 3
				BQR
				A-MSDU in A-MPDU
				OM Control UL MU Data Disable RX
			HE PHY Capabilities: (0x1c20ce926f538f10000000):
				HE40/HE80/5GHz
				HE160/5GHz
				HE160/HE80+80/5GHz
				LDPC Coding in Payload
				NDP with 4x HE-LTF and 3.2us GI
				STBC Tx <= 80MHz
				STBC Rx <= 80MHz
				Full Bandwidth UL MU-MIMO
				Partial Bandwidth UL MU-MIMO
				DCM Max Constellation: 2
				DCM Max Constellation Rx: 2
				SU Beamformer
				SU Beamformee
				MU Beamformer
				Beamformee STS <= 80Mhz: 3
				Beamformee STS > 80Mhz: 3
				Sounding Dimensions <= 80Mhz: 3
				Sounding Dimensions > 80Mhz: 2
				Ng = 16 SU Feedback
				Codebook Size SU Feedback
				Codebook Size MU Feedback
				Triggered SU Beamforming Feedback
				Triggered MU Beamforming Feedback
				PPE Threshold Present
				Max NC: 2
			HE RX MCS and NSS set <= 80 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			HE TX MCS and NSS set <= 80 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			HE RX MCS and NSS set 160 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			HE TX MCS and NSS set 160 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			HE RX MCS and NSS set 80+80 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			HE TX MCS and NSS set 80+80 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			PPE Threshold 0x3b 0x1c 0xc7 0x71 0x1c 0xc7 0x71 0x1c 0xc7 0x71 
		HE Iftypes: Mesh
			HE MAC Capabilities (0x00011a000040):
				+HTC HE Supported
				OM Control
				Maximum A-MPDU Length Exponent: 3
				A-MSDU in A-MPDU
			HE PHY Capabilities: (0x1c200c0000000000008000):
				HE40/HE80/5GHz
				HE160/5GHz
				HE160/HE80+80/5GHz
				LDPC Coding in Payload
				STBC Tx <= 80MHz
				STBC Rx <= 80MHz
			HE RX MCS and NSS set <= 80 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			HE TX MCS and NSS set <= 80 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			HE RX MCS and NSS set 160 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			HE TX MCS and NSS set 160 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			HE RX MCS and NSS set 80+80 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
			HE TX MCS and NSS set 80+80 MHz
					 1 streams: MCS 0-11
					 2 streams: MCS 0-11
					 3 streams: MCS 0-11
					 4 streams: MCS 0-11
					 5 streams: not supported
					 6 streams: not supported
					 7 streams: not supported
					 8 streams: not supported
		Frequencies:
			* 5180 MHz [36] (20.0 dBm)
			* 5200 MHz [40] (20.0 dBm)
			* 5220 MHz [44] (20.0 dBm)
			* 5240 MHz [48] (20.0 dBm)
			* 5260 MHz [52] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5280 MHz [56] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5300 MHz [60] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5320 MHz [64] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5500 MHz [100] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5520 MHz [104] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5540 MHz [108] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5560 MHz [112] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5580 MHz [116] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5600 MHz [120] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5620 MHz [124] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5640 MHz [128] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5660 MHz [132] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5680 MHz [136] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5700 MHz [140] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5720 MHz [144] (20.0 dBm) (no IR, radar detection)
			* 5745 MHz [149] (20.0 dBm) (no IR)
			* 5765 MHz [153] (20.0 dBm) (no IR)
			* 5785 MHz [157] (20.0 dBm) (no IR)
			* 5805 MHz [161] (20.0 dBm) (no IR)
			* 5825 MHz [165] (20.0 dBm) (no IR)
			* 5845 MHz [169] (disabled)
			* 5865 MHz [173] (disabled)
	valid interface combinations:
		 * #{ IBSS } <= 1, #{ AP, mesh point } <= 16, #{ managed } <= 32,
		   total <= 32, #channels <= 1, STA/AP BI must match, radar detect widths: { 20 MHz (no HT), 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 80+80 MHz, 160 MHz }

	HT Capability overrides:
		 * MCS: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
		 * maximum A-MSDU length
		 * supported channel width
		 * short GI for 40 MHz
		 * max A-MPDU length exponent
		 * min MPDU start spacing
	max # scan plans: 1
	max scan plan interval: -1
	max scan plan iterations: 0
	Supported extended features:
		* [ VHT_IBSS ]: VHT-IBSS
		* [ RRM ]: RRM
		* [ CQM_RSSI_LIST ]: multiple CQM_RSSI_THOLD records
		* [ CONTROL_PORT_OVER_NL80211 ]: control port over nl80211
		* [ TXQS ]: FQ-CoDel-enabled intermediate TXQs
		* [ AIRTIME_FAIRNESS ]: airtime fairness scheduling
		* [ AQL ]: Airtime Queue Limits (AQL)
		* [ SCAN_RANDOM_SN ]: use random sequence numbers in scans
		* [ SCAN_MIN_PREQ_CONTENT ]: use probe request with only rate IEs in scans
		* [ CONTROL_PORT_NO_PREAUTH ]: disable pre-auth over nl80211 control port support
		* [ DEL_IBSS_STA ]: deletion of IBSS station support
		* [ SCAN_FREQ_KHZ ]: scan on kHz frequency support
		* [ CONTROL_PORT_OVER_NL80211_TX_STATUS ]: tx status for nl80211 control port support
Wiphy phy0
	wiphy index: 0
	max # scan SSIDs: 4
	max scan IEs length: 2304 bytes
	max # sched scan SSIDs: 0
	max # match sets: 0
	Retry short limit: 7
	Retry long limit: 4
	Coverage class: 0 (up to 0m)
	Device supports AP-side u-APSD.
	Device supports T-DLS.
	Available Antennas: TX 0xf RX 0xf
	Configured Antennas: TX 0xf RX 0xf
	Supported interface modes:
		 * IBSS
		 * managed
		 * AP
		 * AP/VLAN
		 * monitor
		 * mesh point
		 * P2P-client
		 * P2P-GO
	Band 1:
		Capabilities: 0x1ff
			RX LDPC
			HT20/HT40
			SM Power Save disabled
			RX Greenfield
			RX HT20 SGI
			RX HT40 SGI
			TX STBC
			RX STBC 1-stream
			Max AMSDU length: 3839 bytes
			No DSSS/CCK HT40
		Maximum RX AMPDU length 65535 bytes (exponent: 0x003)
		Minimum RX AMPDU time spacing: No restriction (0x00)
		HT TX/RX MCS rate indexes supported: 0-31
		Frequencies:
			* 2412 MHz [1] (20.0 dBm)
			* 2417 MHz [2] (20.0 dBm)
			* 2422 MHz [3] (20.0 dBm)
			* 2427 MHz [4] (20.0 dBm)
			* 2432 MHz [5] (20.0 dBm)
			* 2437 MHz [6] (20.0 dBm)
			* 2442 MHz [7] (20.0 dBm)
			* 2447 MHz [8] (20.0 dBm)
			* 2452 MHz [9] (20.0 dBm)
			* 2457 MHz [10] (20.0 dBm)
			* 2462 MHz [11] (20.0 dBm)
			* 2467 MHz [12] (20.0 dBm) (no IR)
			* 2472 MHz [13] (20.0 dBm)
			* 2484 MHz [14] (20.0 dBm) (no IR)
	valid interface combinations:
		 * #{ IBSS } <= 1, #{ managed, AP, mesh point, P2P-client, P2P-GO } <= 16,
		   total <= 16, #channels <= 1, STA/AP BI must match, radar detect widths: { 20 MHz (no HT), 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 80+80 MHz, 160 MHz }

	HT Capability overrides:
		 * MCS: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
		 * maximum A-MSDU length
		 * supported channel width
		 * short GI for 40 MHz
		 * max A-MPDU length exponent
		 * min MPDU start spacing
	max # scan plans: 1
	max scan plan interval: 0
	max scan plan iterations: 0
	Supported extended features:
		* [ VHT_IBSS ]: VHT-IBSS
		* [ RRM ]: RRM
		* [ SET_SCAN_DWELL ]: scan dwell setting
		* [ CQM_RSSI_LIST ]: multiple CQM_RSSI_THOLD records
		* [ CONTROL_PORT_OVER_NL80211 ]: control port over nl80211
		* [ TXQS ]: FQ-CoDel-enabled intermediate TXQs
		* [ AIRTIME_FAIRNESS ]: airtime fairness scheduling
		* [ AQL ]: Airtime Queue Limits (AQL)
		* [ CONTROL_PORT_NO_PREAUTH ]: disable pre-auth over nl80211 control port support
		* [ DEL_IBSS_STA ]: deletion of IBSS station support
		* [ SCAN_FREQ_KHZ ]: scan on kHz frequency support
		* [ CONTROL_PORT_OVER_NL80211_TX_STATUS ]: tx status for nl80211 control port support

For now, I'm guessing HE80+80 is a bit of a stretch - as far as I can tell, OpenWRT doesn't currently support dual bands on a single radio (or whatever it's called) such as VHT40+40 / VHT80+80

2 Likes
5

Yup you're correct - will amend this

1 Like
6

For HE80P80, one could adapt this patch i've put into Gargoyle. The wifi stanza then becomes:

option channel 36
option channel2 100

No special protections or error catching, but it works. Patch should apply cleanly to 19.07, would need work for master, and obviously changes to suit the HE part.
I've never heard of 40+40, is that a thing?

2 Likes
7

I found the Belkin on sale online for cheap. I didn't realize it has fewer LEDs on the front.

Are there any internal photos posted anywhere yet? I suppose its time to install a serial console...

1 Like
8

Yeah, I also got mine for just 50 bucks. Concerning internal photos have a look at them FCC ones here:

https://fccid.io/K7S-03572/Internal-Photos/Internal-Photos-4857301

1 Like
9

I've never heard of 40+40, is that a thing?

It's pretty hard to search this stuff because Google doesn't acknowledge the "+" character - but I've found mentions of it (such as here)

My understanding is that N+N coverage is that it's two side-by-side bands coming from the same radio. 40+40 doesn't look to be supported by this device but I don't see why it couldn't be an option for other devices.

Are there any internal photos posted anywhere yet? I suppose its time to install a serial console...

What is it you're wanting to know - I might be able to help answer questions.

Yeah, I also got mine for just 50 bucks

Got mine for 35GBP here - absolute steal!

Just a quick update - I ended up using the latest snapshot (r16564-4f8da19572) rather than a self-build w/ patch. So far everything has been stable.

10

Based on that read, and everything else I know, I'd say 40+40 is a misnomer, that's just VHT80.

VHT80+80 (VHT80P80) is of course equivalent to VHT160, but with the important distinction that the two 80mhz halves do not need to be contiguous with each other. This was to assist more regions in getting to 160mhz bandwidths due to DFS restrictions.

To the best of my knowledge, there's no VHT80 standard with 2 split 40mhz halves.
I'd be happy to be corrected.

1 Like
11

Where did you find it for this price?

1 Like
12

Lucky punch on eBay. While it doesn't even seem widely available in continental Europe as of yet.

2 Likes
13

where??? in UK? are they shipping abroad?

14

I got my serial console installed. This router is running a modified version of LEDE, I had not read that anywhere yet...

     _________
    /        /\      _    ___ ___  ___
   /  LE    /  \    | |  | __|   \| __|
  /    DE  /    \   | |__| _|| |) | _|
 /________/  LE  \  |____|___|___/|___|                      lede-project.org
 \        \   DE /
  \    LE  \    /  -----------------------------------------------------------
   \  DE    \  /    Reboot (17.01-SNAPSHOT, unknown)
    \________\/    -----------------------------------------------------------

=== WARNING! =====================================
There is no root password defined on this device!
Use the "passwd" command to set up a new password
in order to prevent unauthorized SSH logins.
--------------------------------------------------


Linux LEDE 4.4.198 #0 SMP PREEMPT Mon Oct 12 13:54:16 UTC 2020 aarch64 GNU/Linux
1 Like
15

I uploaded the bootloader and installed openwrt ubi version via the serial console.

Just a quick test with sqm-scripts (WAN<->LAN), the CPU maxes out around 600Mbit. (one core maxed out, the other around 10%) Its impressive for the price. Wifi range is good enough for me, better than my unifi 6 lite, I dont have modern enough devices to test throughput over wifi.

2 Likes
16

Hello you are a wan gigabit ? Can you test sqm with pièce of cake and fq codel with simplest qos please :ok_hand:
Thanks

I have too belkin rt3200 but not fiber

And post youre result of the dslreports

17

I dont have gigabit internet service, I checked by downloading from a local server on my network through the test router.

2 Likes
18

I am wondering wether the use of proper antennas could increase the reach of the router?
The router works very good, but 5g signal is only usable in the same room of my apartment ...

compared to Xiaomi R3P (mt7615) and Tplink C2600 (Ath10k) the speed is much better but range is much less.

19

It was an auction for a single device.

That seems lower than I would have expected - my CPU usage hasn't peaked past 20% regardless of network throughput (on LAN + WAN).

Edit: At 300Mbit on WAN with CAKE, I'm seeing ~35% usage on core 1 and <5% on core 2. I'm guessing this is because this doesn't scale linearly?

20

I am using SQM without any offloading. 600Mbit is pretty good.

I measured the idle power usage to be 5w as well, which is pretty good.

2 Likes