Banana Pi BPI-R4-NIC-BE14 V2.1 Wifi module

[Lorem_amicus (Michael Fischer)]

@kvic

None of the above justified the conclusion that “I wish they had never released the R4 V1.1”

So, we do not disagree about the fact that these problems exist.

If I understand it correctly, we only disagree about the interpretation.

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By the way, Revision 1.3 also addresses:

SFP mod-def0 - Problem

[BPI-R4] and SFP

Nothing happens when I install the module. According to the diagram, power appears on the module after the mod-def0 signal changes to LO. The module needs power to switch this signal. Above you can see its installed state and it is HI. [image] I have to run this module every time, bypassing Q12. I need a power boost on the module for it to start. After this, the module changes mod-def0 to LO and the BPI circuit continues to power it. [IMG_0772] root@OpenWrt:~# cat /sys/kernel/debug/gpio …

and

Sim-card holder design:

BPI-R4 Pro design with MT7988, update version for BPI-R4, any good idea?

Hi @simon @sinovoip Thank you for opening the floor for BPI members to share their comments … Consider these comments based on my experience with BPI-R4 The overheating 5G modem due to lack of ventilation inside the case … Most of users that who using BPI-R4 as 5G Router facing this issue … most of time it will reach up to 74C … with Heatsink will reach up to 67C … With heatsink and without top cover Temp dropped to 43C To 51C My point here (the aluminum case design is bad ) where its menti…

We even have a problem counting … __

Justification?

I think I have a right to my opinion — not because of any particular reason, but simply because I have that right.

My view is not only about how these problems affect me personally, but about the whole environment.

Including the reputation of Banana Pi! But that is not my main concern.

I do not want to clutter this topic any further with general stuff.

We still need a clearly laid-out R4 bug thread, which I would have expected on the Banana Pi homepage.

__

What matters for the new BE14 V2.1 is this:

The “MT7996 WiFi error -11” still exists!

In one of my technical support cases, I installed an R3, and it has been running reliably ever since. Before that, there was a 4G Huawei router that would hang after a few months.

So the question is: can I really recommend the R4 V1.3 with BE14 V2.1?

[KFO (MJZ)]

Full agree with your comments

To be honest im interesting to get BPI R4 mini

… I know BPI have a lot of issues but bpi team need to think and act faster… Because selling faulty /damaged /un-functional products inside many of countries will but you under Law of country to return and refund the money to users/customers as what happened with Intel Gen 12 ( Overheating problem) in US and UK users raised appeal for return and the government forced these companies to accept as per law … but in BPI in China so we will follow AliExpress and Alibaba Rules …

Mypoint: BPI company need to test and fix issues before through product in Market- send samples for 30-60 Different Engineer and Developers to dig and find issues - at the you need to save your company name

[kvic]

@Lorem_amicus

I think I have a right to my opinion — not because of any particular reason, but simply because I have that right.

You (or everyone else) are entitled to your opinion. I didn’t challenge your right of an opinion. Since it’s open discussion, all people should be prepared for challenges to your opinion expressed publicly. I was truly interested in what made R4 v1.1 not justified for launch.

• By the way, Revision 1.3 also addresses: SFP mod-def0 - Problem

This is SFP+ compatibility issue. Revisiting your linked thread, for R4 v1.1 actually offers control over GPIO. While R4 v1.3 removes this control but always wired to 3.3V. The control can be implemented in drivers of enterprising developers if missing.

Ironically enough, the design decision of mod_def0 is the opposite to that of 12V supply to WiFI module in which missing GPIO is labelled as poor design. lol

• Sim-card holder design revised in R4 V1.3

Again fool-proof improvement is welcome.

• What matters for the new BE14 V2.1 is this: The “MT7996 WiFi error -11” still exists!

The thread you linked to in your previous reply was of secondary order effect.

The primary focus should be to figure out why the processor onboard the WiFi module hangs sometimes.

After it’s hung, whether the WiFi module can be soft reset alone in driver or has to be done together with the host board is of secondary order effect. From end user perspective, the difference is little not of significance.

• So the question is: can I really recommend the R4 V1.3 with BE14 V2.1?

Does your recommendation bring in many sales? Truly curious

It’s obvious from R4 releasee. The board is not well tested. Perhaps BPI didn’t pay enough attention given its increased complexity compared to earlier models such as R3.

Testing and validation of course increase cost of development and end product prices. While BPI markets R4 as “development board,” for people not blind can see they want to sell as many as possible including to less tech savvy users.

I think in future perhaps BPI can consider: 1) going more test & validation; 2) limit sales of initial batch to tech savvy users with lower price to solicit test & validation; and then 3) open sales to wider audience (like clueless end users) with a higher price tag.

[Lorem_amicus (Michael Fischer)]

@kvic

Does your recommendation bring in many sales? Truly curious

I think you should have stopped after your last contribution.

I. It is too personal. II. You are wrong, which makes it even worse.

We should stop here. Your interesting assessment of the “MT7996 WiFi error -11” should in this chat:

BPI-R4 Pro design with MT7988, update version for BPI-R4, any good idea?

Hi @simon @sinovoip Thank you for opening the floor for BPI members to share their comments … Consider these comments based on my experience with BPI-R4 The overheating 5G modem due to lack of ventilation inside the case … Most of users that who using BPI-R4 as 5G Router facing this issue … most of time it will reach up to 74C … with Heatsink will reach up to 67C … With heatsink and without top cover Temp dropped to 43C To 51C My point here (the aluminum case design is bad ) where its menti…

[KFO (MJZ)]

@kvic

Improvements are always welcome

As I mentioned before BPI company should do more tests and sending more sample for developers or engineers

But lets look to fact :

BPI R4 is better than other devices consider their issues where other open source routers are not reaching to this level —fact …

Nice conversation lets be optimistic maybe BPI Team will give us aa free router BPI R5

[kvic]

@KFO

As I mentioned before BPI company should do more tests and sending more sample for developers or engineers

Agree but seriously this would require a bit systematic organisation. BPI probably need not be limiting to developers but users with 1) different use cases; 2) different collection of peripherals; 3) serious attention to very small details; 4) and technically sound enough to faithful report observation back to BPI.

Without a systematic way but giving out free or low-price samples is just like buying lottery tickets and hoping for hitting some jackpot.

@KFO

free router BPI R5

LOL. No free lunch. When it’s free for you, you’re the product. And the implicit contract between BPI and the recipient seems so weak that I’m not sure BPI is getting what it’s spending on.

[Xiaomi_ax3600]

Good afternoon.

Looking forward to the new BE14000 test.

Regards.

I also have a Xiaomi BE19000 Pro with 6G, which receives a true symmetrical 2 GHz connection on the 6G band from the same location as the Banana Pi Pro 8X router, all the way to my son’s room, with two 10 cm brick walls in between.

Furthermore, the same Wi-Fi card used in the Banana Pi tests will be used for their new Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 Wi-Fi 7 High Band Simultaneous (HBS) Network Adapter.

Banana Pi BPI-R4-NIC-BE14

I am currently waiting for the new BE14000 to perform the following:

Wi-Fi 7 Comparison in a Real-World Environment (BPI-R4-Pro-8X vs. New Card vs. Xiaomi BE19000 Pro)

Objective

This comparison measures whether the new card truly improves (noise, range, and performance) or if the change is primarily mechanical/thermal.

Three scenarios will be evaluated:

1. BPI-R4-Pro-8X + previous generation card (baseline)
2. BPI-R4-Pro-8X + new and corrected card
3. Xiaomi BE19000 Pro (commercial reference)

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Test Environment

• Real home environment (no anechoic chamber)

• Fixed test distance/point

• Two standard brick walls (~10 cm)

• Test client: Same equipment and same card in all tests

• Bands evaluated: 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz / 6 GHz (where applicable)

• Country/standard: ES

First, measure the baseline, then change only the card, and finally compare it with the Xiaomi.

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Rules for a Fair Test

• Same client and drivers
• Same physical location of the router and client
• Same channel/bandwidth (if possible)
• Same power settings
• Same time zone (to minimize interference from neighbors)
• No simultaneous downloads on the local network
• Repeat each test at least 3 times and report the average

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Target Configuration by Band (Recommended)

• 2.4 GHz: Fixed channel (1/6/11), bandwidth 20/40 depending on the environment
• 5 GHz: Fixed channel, not saturated, bandwidth 80/160 depending on stability
• 6 GHz: Fixed channel, bandwidth 160/320 depending on client compatibility
• Security: WPA3 (same in all scenarios)
• MLO: Same mode in all tests (enabled or disabled, but consistent)

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Metrics to Record

1) RF / Link

• RSSI (dBm)
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (dB)
• Noise Level (dBm)
• MCS / NSS
• TX/RX Physical Speed

2) Throughput

• Download with iperf3 (client receives)
• Upload with iperf3 (client sends)
• Speed ​​Test (for additional reference only)
• Latency and Jitter under Load

3) Stability

• Link Drops/Reconnections
• Performance Variation (Consistency)
• Radio Temperature under Load (10 min)

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Test Procedure

1. Restart the router and the client.

2. Wait 3 to 5 minutes for a stable connection.

3. Verify the channel, bandwidth, and power.

4. Measure RSSI, SNR, and PHY.

5. Run iperf3 (3 passes per direction, 60 s each).

6. Perform a ping test under load (latency/jitter).

7. Record the temperature.

8. Repeat the process on all three bands (if applicable).

9. Repeat the entire process for each scenario (old/new/Xiaomi).

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Commands to Use

On the LAN server (e.g., on the router or a wired host)

iperf3 -s

On the client (download to the client)

iperf3 -c <SERVER_IP_ADDRESS> -P 4 -t 60

On the client (upload from the client)

iperf3 -c <SERVER_IP_ADDRESS> -P 4 -t 60 -R

Baseline latency

ping -c 50 1.1.1.1

Latency under load (while iperf3 is running)

ping -i 0.2 -c 100 1.1.1.1

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Results Template

| Scenario | Band | Channel/Width | RSSI | SNR | PHY TX/RX | iperf3 Download (Mbps) | iperf3 Upload (Mbps) | Average Ping (ms) | Jitter | Radio Temperature |

|—|—|—|—:|—:|—|—:|—:|—:|—:|—

Pro8X + old card | 6 GHz | CH / XXX MHz | | | | | | | | |

| Pro8X + new card | 6 GHz | CH / XXX MHz | | | | | | | | |

| Xiaomi BE19000 Pro | 6 GHz | CH / XXX MHz | | | | | | | | |

Repeated table by band (2.4 / 5 / 6).

–

Conclusion Criteria (Buy/Don’t Buy)

A new card will be considered a real improvement if, at the same point:

• performance increases steadily (not just at peak),
• the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improves or noise sensitivity decreases,
• MCS/NSS performance is better maintained,
• and latency/stability does not worsen.

If only the temperature improves, but RF performance/throughput does not, then the change is primarily thermal/mechanical.

Current Status (before final comparison)

• Benchmark test with a first-generation card.

• New card pending direct A/B testing.

• Xiaomi BE19000 Pro used as an external reference.

Final Note

I will publish all raw results (without manipulation).

(some), with complete methodologies and tables, so that everyone can decide with data whether it is worth buying.

[Lorem_amicus (Michael Fischer)]

It looks like YOU are prepared

→ Very professional !

[MarkoFlow]

@KFO

Is this a 1-on-1 replacement for the original flawed BE14 V1? Does this fit in the original BPI-R4 small housing? Does it need a cooling pad attached to the bottom for cooling through the bottom plate of the housing?

It should be a direct physical replacement since the form factor remains the same. Regarding the cooling, using a thermal pad to bridge the module to the metal housing is definitely recommended; it helps significantly with heat dissipation during sustained high-load scenarios on the 6GHz band.

[Xiaomi_ax3600]

Good morning! What a pleasant surprise I had today! I just received the complete kit.

As soon as my family allows, since I’m the last one in the band, I’ll do what I promised.

Have a good day!

[oli]

looking forward for results

[adri]

I am also looking forward to see the improvements promised.

[platanopi]

BPI-R4 WiFi range

I soldered the shield clips onto the board and made hand-cut shield cans out of copper and brass to test out. [IMG_1536] [IMG_1537] Results before shielding: no pigtails, no SFP: -89 dBm SFP cages populated: 91 dBm pigtails (20 cm) and antennae connected, no SFP: -85 dBm pigtails, antennae, SFP: -89 dBm With shielding on both sides: no pigtails, no SFP: -90 dBm pigtails and antennae added: -87 dBm pigtails and antennae, SFP: -90 dBm everything put in the stock metal housing: -82 dBm The…

BPI-R4 WiFi range

I designed a 3D-printable die set for pressing EMI shield cans from (preferably, laser-cut) blanks. The model and the instructions are on MakerWorld. Some final tweaks to the DXF drawings of the blanks (included in the project). Again, adding EMI shielding to the BE14 won’t do much for mitigating the internally generated interference. Regardless, it’s a good idea when using a plastic case. The top shield can also provides a flat surface to mount a large heatsink on. [3] [7] [8]

I’m afraid hopes are pretty low… I hope I’m wrong.

[Lorem_amicus (Michael Fischer)]

Your opinion is based on an understandable impression, but I believe the underlying assumption is incorrect:

Shielding starts at the PCB level and ends with the shielding cans; it does not start with them:

The old V1.1 design was completely different from the V2.1 design. It could not have been fixed simply by adding shielding cans, as Betonmischer demonstrated.

The visible separation of the different Wi-Fi chips is only one part of the overall design.

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To me, it looks as though Banana Pi’s business model positions its router boards as a way to promote its OEM/ODM services:

→ Their products therefore have to prove what the company is capable of.

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For some time now, I have had the impression that considerably more effort is being put into the board designs.

Nevertheless, the actual results will show whether my impression is right or wrong.

Hope dies last!

[oli]

any news regarding results?

[T4ASICK]

I hope his family will allow him to take be14 tests)

[Xiaomi_ax3600]

Good morning, I apologize, but I haven’t been feeling well mentally for the past two weeks, and I haven’t had the tests done yet.

I hope I’m feeling better next week and I’ll do the tests, but right now I’m not mentally ready due to problems at home and my wife’s health.

Please excuse me; I’ll do them as soon as I’m feeling better. I know you’re waiting, but I really haven’t had the strength.

I’m sorry.

I hope to be able to do them soon.

Best regards

[T4ASICK]

Oh, I’m so sorry I didn’t even think the situation could be so difficult when I wrote this. Take your time; your health/family’s health and the situation at home are more important than any tests (especially the be14 tests). I hope everything gets better🙏

[Xiaomi_ax3600]

Good afternoon. Thank you for your kind words; things are going better, but until now, I didn’t even feel like writing.

I will run the tests when I can.

Thank you for the support and your understanding.

[KFO (MJZ)]

Bro Take your time , family is always first . I pray for her to be in a good health and feeling

I already placed the order for the new BPI-R4 Wifi 7 same as you for testing