VOXL2 WiFi SoftAP issues (M0141 + AWUS036EACS)

[Dronodev]

Hi ModalAI team,

we’re currently struggling to get WiFi running reliably on our VOXL2 and were hoping someone here might have some insight.

We initially tried using the M0151 adapter, but since we couldn’t establish a stable WiFi connection, we switched to an M0141 adapter with an Alfa Networks AWUS036EACS USB WiFi dongle. Our setup is otherwise identical to the Starling 2 configuration.

What we’re seeing right now:

• The USB WiFi dongle is consistently detected (lsusb shows it, wlan0 is created).

• After boot, however, no SoftAP network is broadcast in most cases.

• Sometimes, after reconfiguring WiFi using voxl-wifi in SoftAP mode, the network comes up and we are able to connect successfully.

• After a full power cycle (disconnecting and reconnecting power), the SoftAP is usually gone again, even though the dongle is still detected.

Reconfiguring WiFi or restarting services occasionally brings it back, but the behavior is not deterministic.

If anyone has seen similar behavior, has recommendations for debugging, we’d really appreciate the input. @Vinny @Alex-Kushleyev

System image: 1.8.06-M0054-14.1a-perf
voxl-suite: 1.6.0

Thanks in advance!

[Dronodev]

Update:

I did some further testing and noticed a somewhat inconsistent but repeatable pattern related to SKU reconfiguration and power cycles.
After reconfiguring the SKU (MRB-D0014-4-V1-C27-T0-M22-X0) and then power cycling the VOXL2, the SoftAP network is broadcast as expected. After a second power cycle, the network is still being broadcast. However, after a third power cycle, the network disappears again and is only restored after reconfiguring the SKU once more.
In addition to that, client connectivity is inconsistent. In some cases I’m able to connect to the WiFi network from my PC without issues, while in other cases the connection attempt starts but eventually fails.

[Dronodev]

Update:

I bought an Alfa Networks AWUS036ACS and it worked out of the box with the M0151 board