Adaptivity Test

Introduction

Standard

Adaptivity is an automatic channel access protocol that inhibits a device from transmitting on a channel when ongoing transmissions are detected. Devices with a maximum declared RF output power level greater than 10 dBm effective isotropic radiated power (e.i.r.p.) are required to implement this Adaptivity protocol.

Since December 31, 2017, ETSI has required Adaptivity certification. The applicable standards are ETSI EN 300 328 V2.2.2 for 2.4 GHz bands and ETSI EN 301 893 V2.1.1 for 5 GHz bands.

The Adaptivity test procedures are specified by ETSI as follows:

1. Establish a connection between the DUT (Device Under Test) and the companion device and start data transmission.

2. Add the interference signal, and ensure that out-of-band blocking signals are also added for 2G compliance.

3. Check whether the DUT has stopped transmitting data.

4. The DUT is restricted to transmitting only short control signals, such as acknowledgment (ACK) frames, to the companion device.

5. Check the test result.

   • For 2G compliance, check whether the Tx duty cycle is below 10% within any 50ms interval. If yes, pass; otherwise, fail.

   • For 5G compliance, check whether the Tx duty cycle is below 5% within any 50ms interval. If yes, pass; otherwise, fail.

6. Repeat the steps above for each channel, bandwidth, and mode.

Interference Power

The energy detection formula specified by ETSI is as follows:

2G: TL = -70dBm/MHz + 10*log10(100mW/Pout)
5G: TL = -75dBm/MHz

Note

Pout is the maximum TX power of test object. The interference signal must exceed BW of the test object and have a 100% duty cycle.

Realtek conducts testing under the most stringent conditions in the LAB.

2G: TL = -70dBm/MHz
5G: TL = -75dBm/MHz

The table below illustrates the interference power with different frequencies and bandwidths. When the interference power exceeds the threshold, the MAC layer will be instructed to pause data transmission.

Item	2G		5G
	20MHZ	40MHZ	20MHZ	40MHZ	80MHZ	160MHZ
Interference Power (dBm)	-57	-54	-62	-59	-56	-53

The following section details the software configuration and debug SOP essential for successfully passing the Adaptivity test.

Software Configuration

EDCCA Mode

Ameba supports the configuration of multiple EDCCA modes, as detailed in the Wi-Fi User Configuration - rtw_edcca_mode chapter. For regulatory testing, the device must be configured to the specific EDCCA mode required by the applicable regulations.

FreeRTOSLinux

• Static Adjustment

  RTL8721DxRTL8720ERTL8726ERTL8713ERTL8730E

  File path: component/soc/usrcfg/amebadplus/ameba_wificfg.c

  Function: wifi_set_user_config()

  • For the ETSI Adaptivity test, configure the EDCCA mode to RTW_EDCCA_ADAPT

    wifi_user_config.rtw_edcca_mode = RTW_EDCCA_ADAPT;
    

  • For Carrier Sense, configure the EDCCA mode to RTW_EDCCA_CS

    wifi_user_config.rtw_edcca_mode = RTW_EDCCA_CS;
    

  The configuration will be applied during the Wi-Fi initialization process.

• Dynamic Adjustment

  Not support.

EDCCA Threshold

FreeRTOSLinux

Once connected to the AP, retrieve the current EDCCA threshold using the following command:

AT+WLDBG=get_edcca_th

In most scenarios, the default settings suffice to pass the Adaptivity test. If modification is required, adjust the EDCCA threshold using the following command:

AT+WLDBG=fix_edcca_th <value>

Note

The value’s unit is dBm and the scope is [-60, -80], and the minimum step is 1.

For example:

AT+WLDBG=get_edcca_th
[WLDBG]: _AT_WLAN_IWPRIV_
[WLAN-A] [iwpriv_command] cmd name: get_edcca_th
[WLAN-A] edcca thre=-60 dbm

AT+WLDBG=fix_edcca_th -62
[WLDBG]: _AT_WLAN_IWPRIV_
[WLAN-A] [iwpriv_command] cmd name: fix_edcca_th

Debug SOP

Checklist	Points
Test SDK	The SDK is in normal mode, not in manufacturing (MP) mode. The EDCCA mode is set to RTW_EDCCA_ADAPT.
Test Environment	Testing should be conducted in a shielding room. Connect all antennas to controlled interference sources. When packet loss occurs, verify that the packet type transmitted by the DUT is not an ACK (Acknowledgment) packet. Maintain the device’s RSSI at -50dBm or higher. Adaptivity test measures the Tx of the DUT, not the Rx. Interference energy is measured in dBm, not dBm/MHz.
Optimize the EDCCA threshold	Use ATWZ command to modify EDCCA threshold.

Wi-Fi Logo Certification

How to Obtain a Wi-Fi Logo Certificate?

The process for obtaining a Wi-Fi Logo Certificate is illustrated in the below figure:

The members of the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) must submit certification applications via the online “Certification System” (accessible on the WFA official website). Subsequently, they shall select an Authorized Test Laboratory (ATL), inquire about quotation details, and arrange for test scheduling.

• The customer contacts relevant engineers at Realtek to seek technical support for certification compliance.

• The customer confirms the certification pathway (FlexTrack Certification, QuickTrack Certification, or Derivative Certification, refer to Three Certification Pathways) based on their own products.

• The customer submits a test application to the WFA and obtains a Certification ID (CID).

• The customer coordinates with the ATL to confirm the test date, settle financial arrangements, and provide the test devices.

• The ATL does the tests and issues test reports to both the customer and the WFA.

• If some items of tests is failed, the customer works with Realtek to debug and resolve the issues, then re-submits the product for retesting (additional fees may be required to be paid to the ATL).

• WFA staff review the test results. If the results are verified as valid and the product passes the tests successfully, and no other reasons for rejecting the certification are identified, the WFA will issue the certificate for the product.

Note

• Official website of the Wi-Fi Alliance: https://www.cert.wi-fi.org/。

• We have each established a laboratory with test environments identical to those of ATLs. The laboratory can be used for pre-testing, as well as analyzing and debugging issues encountered during the certification process.

Three Certification Pathways

Within the WFA certification framework, there are three certification pathways: FlexTrack Certification, QuickTrack Certification, and Derivative Certification. These three pathways cater to different product development models, offering differentiated options in terms of test scope, cycle, and cost while ensuring the rigor of certification. Detailed descriptions are as follows:

Three Certification Pathways

Certification Pathway	FlexTrack Certification	QuickTrack Certification	Derivative Certification
Applicable Product Types	Customized and innovative products	Improved products based on qualified solutions	Products that fully reuse a certified design
Testing Requirements	Full-functionality testing	Partial-functionality testing	No testing required
Testing Location	ATL	ATL or enterprise laboratory	None
Cycle	Long (4-8 weeks)	Medium (2-4 weeks)	Short (1-2 weeks)
Cost	High	Medium	Low (administrative fees only)
Typical Application	New chipsets	Products based on a specific chip (inheriting the chip’s certificate)	Modified models (sub-models of chips within a specific chipset)

Certification Status of Our Chips

The following is the certification status of our chips:

RTL8721DxRTL8730ERTL8720E

• CID: RTL8721DG

• Certification Items:

  • CERTIFIED 11n 20M/40M

  • PMF

  • KRACK

  • FFD

  • WPA2-Personal

  • WPA3-Personal

  • Forward Compatibility

• Certificate Type: Inheritable QuickTrack Certification Certificate.

• Certificate Link: Visit https://www.wi-fi.org/product-finder and search for “RTL8721DG” to look up the certificate.

  

Country Code Setting

TBD

Transmit Power Setting

TBD

DFS

TBD