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Issue #670: Add Bluetooth and WiFi info to BE200 page.
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_cards_network/intel-be200-wifi-7.md

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@@ -9,28 +9,54 @@ github_issue: https://github.com/geerlingguy/raspberry-pi-pcie-devices/issues/67
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buy_link: https://amzn.to/3B02v0r
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videos: []
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---
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To get this card working on the Pi, you need to compile a custom kernel with the following kernel configuration option added:
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Since early 2025, Raspberry Pi OS includes the Intel `iwlwifi` driver, so all you need to do to enable this card is install the appropriate firmware.
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The firmware version will change over time as Pi OS is updated to newer kernels, but as of March 2025, running kernel 6.6.y, the instructions for installing the appropriate firmware are as follows:
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First, check the `dmesg` logs to see which firmware files are being loaded (and failing); run `dmesg | grep iwlwifi` to do so.
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Then, in the [linux-firmware](https://web.git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git/plain/) repository, search for that driver version.
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Download both the `ucode` and `pnvm` files for the firmware version that's missing, and make sure they end up in the `/lib/firmware` directory:
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```
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Device Drivers
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> Network device support
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> Wireless LAN
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> Intel Wireless WiFi Next Gen AGN - Wireless-N/Advanced-N/Ultimate-N (iwlwifi)
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> Intel Wireless WiFi MVM Firmware support
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cd /lib/firmware
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sudo wget -o - -q https://web.git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git/plain/iwlwifi-gl-c0-fm-c0-83.ucode
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sudo wget -o - -q https://web.git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git/plain/iwlwifi-gl-c0-fm-c0.pnvm
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```
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[Details on how to compile a kernel, you may want to look at cross-compiling for a significant speed bump](https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/linux_kernel.html#kernel)
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[Details on iwlwifi](https://wireless.docs.kernel.org/en/latest/en/users/drivers/iwlwifi.html)
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Then you also need to install the [latest Intel firmware for the BE200](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git):
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To physically connect the card to a Pi 5, you may need to buy an M.2 A+E key to PCI Express card adapter, like [Waveshare's PCIe to M.2 E-key HAT+](https://amzn.to/3XpXOpg). The Waveshare HAT includes adapters from the MHF4 to u.FL antenna connectors, and you can then use any standard SMA screw-on antenna with the HAT. Otherwise, you have to figure out how to get MHF4 to some form of antenna.
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At this point, I've only tried this as Wi-Fi 7 client - not as an AP. Others on GitHub have successfully used it in AP mode, but I'm not sure if that works across all bands or just some.
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## Bluetooth Support
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Bluetooth support requires a USB connection—not all M.2 adapter HATs supply this (though the Waveshare mentioned above does).
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With that, you will need to download the appropriate Bluetooth firmware for the WiFi card into `/lib/firmware/intel`. Search `dmesg | grep Bluetooth` and see if there are messages about missing firmware. Then go find that missing firmware in the [linux-firmware repository's `intel` section](https://web.git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git/plain/intel/) and download it, for example:
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```
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cd /lib/firmware/intel
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sudo wget -o - -q https://web.git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git/plain/intel/ibt-0291-0291.ddc
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sudo wget -o - -q https://web.git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git/plain/intel/ibt-0291-0291.sfi
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```
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$ sudo cp linux-firmware-20241110/iwl* /lib/firmware/
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$ sudo reboot
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Check for Bluetooth functionality:
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```
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# Shows active Bluetooth adapters
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sudo hciconfig
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# Disable built-in bluetooth and enable Intel Bluetooth
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sudo hciconfig hci1 down
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sudo hciconfig hci0 up
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To physically connect it to a Pi 5, you may need to buy an M.2 A+E key to PCI Express card adapter, like [this one from ThePiHut](https://thepihut.com/products/m-2-2242-e-key-top-for-raspberry-pi-5).
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Please note that the antenna connections use MHF4, not UHF - thus you likely need to order a pair of antennas (or adapter cables) as well.
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# If RF-kill blocks enabling the device, check why:
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rfkill list all
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Please note that 6 GHz support was only introduced to NetworkManager in v1.46 & v1.48, thus you'll have a better experience with an upgrade to Debian (testing): trixie (which includes NetworkManager v1.50)
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# Then unblock it if it's blocked:
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sudo rfkill unblock bluetooth
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At this point, I've only tried this as Wi-Fi 7 client - not as an AP.
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# Check for Bluetooth devices:
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bluetoothctl scan on
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```

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