Re: ATH5k - Signal measurement reports wrong values - thanks for a fix

[Bruno Randolf <br1@einfach.org>]

On Wed June 30 2010 16:15:49 Jaroslav Fojtik wrote:
> > > Before this patch there were short peeks from -78dB to -71dB.
> > > After patch there are short measurement drops from -62dB to -70dB.
> > > 
> > > The week charting simply averages it:
> > >   http://78.108.103.11:11080/cgi-bin/rodga_1week_big.cgi
> > 
> > i guess this must be the same situation as before, no?
> 
> Just repeat:
> ## Before this patch there were short peeks from -78dB to -71dB.
> 
> ## After patch there are short measurement drops from -62dB to -70dB.

i meant: did you see the same kind of drops with the older compat-wireless 
versions, before you reported the problem?

> > how many antennas do you have attached to your device?
> 
> One miniPCI device has only one antenna attached. Second U.FL. connector
> is empty.
> 
> > it might be interesting to check if you get more consistent
> > signal measurements by disabling antenna
> > diversity, setting it to a fixed antenna. you can do this by using a
> > debugfs file "echo fixed-a > /sys/kernel/debug/ath5k/phy0/antenna" (or
> > "fixed-b")...
> 
> I have found that "fixed-b" is a right connector. There is a stupid
> question why? When I am using "out" and not "aux". I just guess that "out"
> should be 'a' and 'aux' should be 'b'.

yes, i have noticed the same thing on some cards. maybe a wrong setting in 
eeprom, or some bug in ath5k.

> Please again have a look at:
>   http://78.108.103.11:11080/cgi-bin/rodga_1day_big.cgi
> 
> It looks like signal power jumped to -46dB.
> It seems that ATH5k never switched to "fixed-b" and I has been receiving
> garbage from empty U.FL. It is a miracle that it has been worked.

i have also had problems with diversity in ath5k when there is only one 
antenna attached and in this case i always need to set a fixed antenna for 
optimal performance.

> MadWiFi is much more intelligent. It tests both inputs and selects better
> one.

glad to hear it works for you; i had many inconsistencies with antenna 
diversity on madwifi as well..

bruno

PS: CC'ing nick, maybe he has some idea?