Re: [PATCH 0/4] ath11k: Enable low power mode when WLAN is not active

[Mark Herbert <mark.herbert42@gmail.com>]

On 8/29/22 08:30, Manikanta Pubbisetty wrote:
> On 8/26/2022 2:31 AM, Mark Herbert wrote:
>>>
>>>> The changes that I have posted will not work on other targets like 
>>>> WCN6855 as is. It requires additional changes and therefore lots of 
>>>> testing.
>>>
>>
>> Will the changes be possible for QCA6390 as well?  Currently this 
>> chip only activates power saving mode when it is connected, but 
>> behaves badly when not associated to any network. So there is a 
>> chance that this kind of solution will help.
>>
>
> Not associated to any network as in Wi-Fi is ON and not connected or 
> Wi-Fi is off?
>
> Manikanta

The way it works now.

I boot my laptop (it is Dell XPS 13 9310). If the network is available 
and QCA6390 associates with it - the CPU package  goes for PC10 state 
for about 70% of time on idle. Even if I disconnect now it will be still 
good.

But if I boot my laptop and never connect (associate to any WiFi ) - the 
CPU will never reach below PC3 with WiFi on. If I disable WiFi - it 
reaches PC10, if enable back - again PC3.


The point is QCA6390 need to be associated to network after boot (or 
hibernation resume) before it activates powersave mode. If this very 
first associatiion is not happening - it will eat battery as mad.

For now I've workarounded it by setting a systemd timer service to check 
if the WiFi is not  associated for f 3 minutes and if it is not - switch 
wifi off.

But it is very strange why this first association is mandatory, because 
if this forst association after boot happened - QCA6390 behaves 
perfectly with WiFi on but not asociated. And continue to work perfectly 
until hardware restart (reboot or hibernate resume) - then again first 
association is needed.  I was thinking that it is happening because the 
ath11k_mac_vif_setup_ps is called only after the association so I've 
tested the patch to call it earlier, and still no luck.