aic8800d80/tests/issue71-mcu1-v3-profile/README.md

AIC8800DC/DW legacy MCU revision 1 support

The legacy-mcu1 branch is the maintained compatibility profile for older AIC8800DC/DW devices tracked in issue #71. It follows the same method as the successful issue #58 D80 profile: use a complete, matched legacy firmware and loader rather than mixing firmware generations.

The branch keeps the current USB transport, cfg80211 integration, device IDs, DKMS installer, and modern-kernel compatibility. For AIC8800DC/DW it restores the complete firmware directory and matching loader from immediately before SDK V5 commit d66e5cb. That loader includes the MCU1 cache fix and flash DPD validation used by the reporter's previously working driver.

The first issue #71 test proved that the DPD result stored in flash was valid, but the V5 main application still timed out at DBG_START_APP_REQ. Test commit d999571 restored the complete profile matching the reporter's known-good firmware hashes, after which the reporter confirmed that the TX1U Nano worked.

Install

git fetch origin
git switch legacy-mcu1
git pull --ff-only
sudo ./install.sh
sudo poweroff

After shutdown, unplug the TX1U Nano or remove host power for at least 10 seconds before reconnecting and booting.

Verify

git rev-parse --short HEAD
md5sum /lib/firmware/aic8800DC/fmacfw_patch_8800dc_u02.bin
md5sum /lib/firmware/aic8800DC/fmacfw_patch_tbl_8800dc_u02.bin
lsusb
lsusb -t
iw dev
sudo journalctl -k -b --no-pager | tee issue71-v3-profile.log
sudo journalctl -k -b --no-pager | grep -iE 'issue71|chip_id|chip_mcu_id|chip_sub_id|DPD|calib|patch.*tbl|start app|firmware version|interface|wlan|timed-out|err_lmac'

Expected firmware values and log markers include:

bfd8ea1d174242e7ec823813b6c5d849  fmacfw_patch_8800dc_u02.bin
7b5fde609392c2e6c2c5874838dda718  fmacfw_patch_tbl_8800dc_u02.bin
chip_id=7, chip_mcu_id=1, chip_sub_id=1
issue71: using complete pre-SDK-V5/V3 DC/DW firmware and loader profile
issue71: legacy V3 flash DPD result is valid
misc ram valid, skip calib process
FMACFW_PATCH_TBL_8800DC_U02_DESCRIBE_BASE = 187c00
Start app: 00150000, 5
Firmware Version: ...
New interface create wlan0

There should be no command timeout, err_lmac_reqs, or failed USB probe after the main application starts.

Confirm scanning, association, DHCP, gateway and Internet reachability, real traffic, and clean initialization after a USB unplug/replug cycle.

Roll back

git switch main
git pull --ff-only
sudo ./install.sh
sudo poweroff

Cold-power-cycle the adapter again before booting the rollback result.