Configuring Radio Calibration

Context

The radio calibration function can dynamically adjust channels, bandwidth, and transmit power of APs managed by the same AC to ensure that the APs work at the optimal performance.

There are three radio calibration modes, which apply to coverage hole compensation, coverage hole compensation reversal, and partial radio calibration:

Auto mode: The device periodically implements global radio calibration at regular intervals (the interval is specified by interval and the default interval is 1440 minutes, and the start time for radio calibration is 03:00:00).

In auto mode, the device continuously detects neighbors and updates neighbor information. When a radio calibration interval is reached, global radio calibration is triggered.
Manual mode: The device does not proactively perform radio calibration. You need to run the calibrate manual startup [ { ap-group group-name }&<1-4> | ap-id ap-list ] command to trigger global calibration or partial calibration based on the AP or AP group.
Schedule mode: The device triggers global radio calibration at a time specified by the parameter time.

The three modes cannot be configured simultaneously. You can choose any of the modes as required. Schedule mode is recommended, which can be specified using the calibrate enable schedule time time-value [ time-range time-range-name ] command. You can configure the device to perform radio calibration in off-peak hours, for example, between 00:00 am and 06:00 am.

Before radio calibration, you can adjust radio calibration parameters based on the wireless environment to achieve the optimal calibration effect.

Enable DFS smart selection. When an AP switches its working channel upon detecting radar signals, it randomly selects a channel allowed by the country code. The selected channel may be the same as or adjacent to the working channel of surrounding 5 GHz radios, thereby causing severe interference and poor network access experience. By default, the DFS smart selection function is enabled so that the AP switches to a 5 GHz channel with the minimum interference, preventing interference.
Configure the noise floor threshold for triggering radio calibration. The noise floor threshold for triggering radio calibration can be used to determine whether the environment noise is normal. When detecting a noise floor value higher than the threshold, an AP reports a high noise floor message to the AC. The AC then performs radio calibration to avoid channels with high noise floor values to improve user experience. When configuring the radio calibration policy, select noise-floor. Otherwise, the function cannot take effect.
Configure the Transmit Power Control (TPC) coverage threshold. When radio calibration is enabled, the TPC coverage threshold is different depending on AP deployment scenarios because the AP deployment distance or height differs. To ensure the optimal coverage effect, adjust the TPC coverage threshold based on the actual AP deployment situations. A large threshold indicates a wider transmit power range that can be adjusted through TPC.
Configure the maximum and minimum power values for radio calibration.
After radio calibration is enabled, an AP uses the algorithm to calculate the transmit power to be adjusted based on detected neighbor information. If the transmit power to be adjusted calculated using the TPC algorithm is too large, signal interference between APs may occur. If the transmit power calculated using the TPC algorithm is too small, radio coverage requirements may not be met.

You can adjust the maximum and minimum calibration powers using the calibrate max-tx-power and calibrate min-tx-power commands. The valid power after radio calibration is between the two values.
Configure the bit error rate (BER) threshold. If the MAC layer of a radio does not receive any ACK packet after sending a packet at the lowest rate, it considers that an error occurs. The BER threshold determines whether the radio environment is normal. When the BER of a radio reaches the threshold, the system considers that the radio environment deteriorates. When this occurs, the system may start radio calibration or take measures to avoid signal interference.

Pre-configuration Tasks

Before configuring radio calibration, perform the task of WLAN Service Configuration Guide.

Configuration Notes

Global radio calibration is implemented on all APs.
Radio calibration does not take effect on radios enabled with WDS or Mesh functions.
Radio calibration is not applicable to scenarios where APs cannot detect each other, for example, APs use directional antennas, are far from each other, or have obstacles between them.
Radio calibration is not applicable to high-density, WDS/Mesh backhaul, rail transportation, or external directional-antenna scenarios.
Radios in monitoring mode do not participate in calibration.
Some functions are dependent on channel scanning, for example, radio calibration, smart roaming, and WIDS. After such a function is configured, a channel switchover during the scanning increases the users service data delay, which may affect wireless service experience.

Procedure

Run system-view
The system view is displayed.
Run wlan
The WLAN view is displayed.
Configure automatic channel selection and automatic transmit power selection for APs.
Configuration based on the AP group
1. Run the ap-group name group-name command to enter the AP group view.
2. Run radio radio-id
  The radio view is displayed.
3. Run calibrate auto-channel-select enable
  Automatic channel selection is enabled.
  
  By default, the automatic channel selection function is enabled in the AP group radio view and not configured in the AP radio view.
4. Run calibrate auto-txpower-select enable
  Automatic transmit power selection is enabled.
  
  By default, the automatic transmit power selection function is enabled in the AP group radio view and not configured in the AP radio view.
5. (Optional) Run calibrate auto-bandwidth-selection enable
  Dynamic bandwidth selection (DBS) is enabled for the 5 GHz radio.
  
  By default, the DBS function is disabled in the AP group radio view and not configured in the AP radio view. This command takes effect only for 5 GHz radios.
6. Run quit
  The AP group view is displayed.
7. Run quit
  The WLAN view is displayed.
Configuration based on the AP
1. Run the ap-id ap-id, ap-mac ap-mac, or ap-name ap-name command to enter the AP view.
2. Run radio radio-id
  The radio view is displayed.
3. Run calibrate auto-channel-select enable
  Automatic channel selection is enabled.
  
  By default, the automatic channel selection function is enabled in the AP group radio view and not configured in the AP radio view.
4. Run calibrate auto-txpower-select enable
  Automatic transmit power selection is enabled.
  
  By default, the automatic transmit power selection function is enabled in the AP group radio view and not configured in the AP radio view.
5. (Optional) Run calibrate auto-bandwidth-selection enable
  DBS is enabled for the 5 GHz radio.
  
  By default, the DBS function is disabled in the AP group radio view and not configured in the AP radio view. This command takes effect only for 5 GHz radios.
6. Run quit
  The AP view is displayed.
7. Run quit
  The WLAN view is displayed.
Configure the DFS smart selection, noise floor threshold, TPC for APs.
1. Run rrm-profile name profile-name
  The RRM profile view is displayed.
2. (Optional) Run dfs smart-selection disable
  The DFS smart selection function is disabled.
  
  By default, the DFS smart selection function is enabled.
3. (Optional) Run dfs recover-delay delay-time
  The delay in switching back the DFS channel is set.
  
  By default, the delay in switching back the DFS channel is 0 minutes. That is, the channel is switched back to the manually planned channel when the legitimate aging time (30 minutes) expires.
4. (Optional) Run calibrate noise-floor-threshold threshold
  The noise floor threshold for triggering radio calibration is specified.
  
  The default noise floor threshold for triggering radio calibration is -75 dBm.
5. (Optional) Run calibrate tpc threshold threshold
  The TPC coverage threshold is configured.
  
  The default TPC coverage threshold is –60 dBm.
6. (Optional) Run calibrate max-tx-power power
  The maximum transmit power that can be adjusted through radio calibration is set.
  
  By default, the maximum transmit power that can be adjusted through radio calibration is 127 dBm.
7. (Optional) Run calibrate min-tx-power power
  The minimum transmit power that can be adjusted through radio calibration is set.
  
  By default, the minimum transmit power that can be adjusted through radio calibration is 9 dBm.
8. (Optional) Run calibrate retransmission-rate-threshold retransmission-rate-threshold
  The retransmission rate threshold is set.
  
  By default, the retransmission rate threshold is 60%.
9. (Optional) Run calibrate retransmission-rate-check interval interval traffic-threshold traffic-threshold
  The interval and traffic threshold for checking the retransmission rate are set.
  
  The default interval and traffic threshold for checking the retransmission rate are 1 minute and 1250 kbit/s, respectively.
10. Run quit
  Return to the WLAN view.
11. Run radio-2g-profile name profile-name or radio-5g-profile name profile-name
  The 2G or 5G radio profile view is displayed.
12. Run rrm-profile profile-name
  The RRM profile is bound to the 2G or 5G radio profile.
13. Run quit
  Return to the WLAN view.
Run calibrate enable { auto [ interval interval-value [ start-time start-time ] ] | manual | schedule time time-value [ time-range time-range-name ] }
The radio calibration mode is configured.

By default, the radio calibration mode is auto, the radio calibration interval is 1440 minutes, and the start time for radio calibration is 03:00:00.
(Optional) Run calibrate policy { rogue-ap | load | non-wifi | noise-floor }
The radio calibration policy is created.

By default, no radio calibration policy is created. Radio calibration policies can be used together. You can run the command multiple times to configure different radio calibration policies according to service requirements.

If the noise floor threshold for radio calibration is configured in the RRM profile, select noise-floor in the radio calibration policy. Otherwise, the function cannot take effect.
Radio calibration policies are classified into:

The noise floor, rogue AP and non-Wi-Fi policies take effect only in automatic radio calibration mode.

The non-Wi-Fi policy is only supported by APs that support spectrum analysis.
- Rogue AP policy: When rogue APs (out of control by an AC) exist on a network, set the radio calibration policy to rogue-ap. The device then immediately takes actions to avoid interference. This policy may lead to frequency channel switchovers. You are advised to use this policy under the instruction of technical support personnel.
- Non-Wi-Fi policy: When non-Wi-Fi interference occurs on a network, the device immediately takes actions to avoid interference.
- Noise floor policy: When the noise floor of APs is high due to special external interference, service experience may deteriorate. With this radio calibration policy, the device takes actions to avoid interference. When detecting that the noise floor of the current channel exceeds the threshold for three consecutive times, an AP notifies the AC of the high noise floor. The AC then allocates another channel to the AP and does not allocate the current channel to the AP in 30 minutes.
(Optional) Run calibrate sensitivity { high | medium | low | insensitivity | custom-threshold custom-threshold }
The radio calibration sensitivity is set for the device.

By default, the radio calibration sensitivity of the device is medium.
(Optional) Configure the calibration bandwidth and calibration channel set.
1. Run regulatory-domain-profile name profile-name
  The regulatory domain profile view is displayed.
2. Run dca-channel 5g bandwidth { 20mhz | 40mhz | 80mhz }
  The calibration bandwidth is configured.
  
  By default, the global calibration bandwidth is 20 MHz. This command takes effect only on the 5 GHz radio.
3. Run dca-channel { 2.4g | 5g } channel-set channel-value
  A calibration channel set is configured.
  
  By default, a calibration channel set contains channels 1, 6, and 11 on the 2.4 GHz radio and contains all channels supported by the corresponding country code on the 5 GHz radio. If the country code is CN, the default calibration channel set does not contain channels 36 to 64. When configuring a calibration channel set, you can specify channels as prompted.
  
  When configuring a calibration channel set, avoid using radar channels.
  
  The channels you configure must be supported by the terminals; otherwise, the terminals cannot discover wireless signals.
  
  Only the AirEngine 9700D-M (including the mapping RUs), AirEngine 8760-X1-PRO, AirEngine 8760R-X1, AirEngine 8760R-X1E, AirEngine 6760-X1, AirEngine 6760-X1E, AirEngine 6760R-51, AirEngine 6760R-51E, AirEngine 5760-51, AirEngine 5760-22W, AD9430DN-12 (including the mapping RUs), AD9430DN-24 (including the mapping RUs), AD9431DN-24X (including the mapping RUs), AP1050DN-S, AP2030DN, AP2030DN-S, AP2050DN, AP2050DN-E, AP2050DN-S, AP2051DN, AP2051DN-E, AP2051DN-S, AP3010DN-V2, AP3030DN, AP4030DN, AP4030DN-E, AP4030TN, AP4050DN, AP4050DN-E, AP4050DN-HD, AP4050DN-S, AP4051DN, AP4051DN-S, AP4051TN, AP4130DN, AP4151DN, AP430-E, AP5030DN, AP5030DN-S, AP5050DN-S, AP5130DN, AP6050DN, AP6052DN, AP6150DN, AP7030DE, AP7050DE, AP7050DN-E, AP7052DE, AP7052DN, AP7152DN, AP8030DN, AP8050DN, AP8050DN-S, AP8050TN-HD, AP8082DN, AP8130DN, AP8130DN-W, AP8150DN, AP8182DN, AP4050DE-M, AP4050DE-M-S, AP4050DE-B-S, AP3050DE, AP7060DN, AP2051DN-L-S, WA375DD-CE, AP5510-W-GP, AirEngine 5760-10, AP9131DN, AP9132DN, and AP9330DN support 80 MHz calibration bandwidth.
  
  When configuring 40 MHz or 80 MHz calibration bandwidth, check whether channels of the corresponding bandwidth exist under the country code.
  
  To ensure a good calibration effect, you are advised to configure at least three calibration channels.
  
  To prevent signal interference, ensure that adjacent APs work in non-overlapping channels. The 2.4 GHz frequency band has overlapping channels. When configuring calibration channels, you are advised to configure a non-overlapping calibration channel set containing channels 1, 6, and 11 or containing channels 1, 5, 9, and 13.
  
  The manually configured channel can take effect only when automatic channel selection is disabled. The channel that actually takes effect is also subject to AP capabilities and local laws and regulations of countries.
  
  The manually configured 5 GHz calibration bandwidth can take effect only when automatic channel selection is enabled and the DBS function of the 5 GHz radio is disabled.
4. Run quit
  Return to the WLAN view.
(Optional) Run calibrate environment-deterioration-blacklist threshold threshold
The blacklist threshold for the number of times the channel environment deteriorates is configured.

By default, the blacklist threshold for the number of times the channel environment deteriorates is 16.

The device collects the average number of environment deterioration times on each channel on a daily basis to identify channels with poor radio environment quality. Upon the next calibration, the device performs interference penalty on these channels (by avoiding these channels as much as possible) based on the number of environment deterioration times. If the number of times the environment of a channel deteriorates exceeds the threshold, the channel is added to the calibration blacklist. The device will skip this channel when performing radio calibration next time.

If the number of environment deterioration times on more than half of calibration channels exceeds the threshold, the device performs interference penalty on all channels in the next calibration but does not add the channels to the blacklist.
Configure the Dynamic Frequency Assignment (DFA) function.
1. (Optional) Run calibrate flexible-radio manual-recognize
  Redundant radio identification is manually triggered.
2. Run calibrate flexible-radio { auto-switch | auto-off }
  The global DFA function is enabled and the mode for processing a redundant radio is configured.
  
  By default, global DFA is disabled.
3. Enter the radio view.
  - Enter the AP group radio view.
    1. Run the ap-group name group-name command to enter the AP group view.
    2. Run the radio radio-id command to enter the radio view.
    3. (Optional) Run calibrate flexible-radio disable
      
      The DFA function of the specified radio is disabled.
      
      By default, DFA is enabled.
    4. Run quit
      Return to the AP group view.
  - Enter the AP radio view.
    1. Run the ap-id ap-id, ap-mac ap-mac, or ap-name ap-name command to enter the AP view.
    2. Run the radio radio-id command to enter the radio view.
    3. (Optional) Run calibrate flexible-radio disable
      
      The DFA function of the specified radio is disabled.
      
      By default, DFA is enabled.
    4. Run quit
      Return to the AP view.
4. Run quit
  Return to the WLAN view.
Configure the air scan function for radio calibration.
The configured air scan profile applies to the radio calibration, smart roaming, spectrum analysis, WLAN location, and WIDS functions.
1. Run air-scan-profile name profile-name
  An air scan profile is created and the air scan profile view is displayed.
2. Run undo scan-disable
  The air scan function is enabled.
  
  By default, the air scan function is enabled.
3. Run scan-channel-set { country-channel | dca-channel | work-channel }
  An air scan channel set is configured.
  
  By default, an air scan channel set contains all channels supported by the corresponding country code of an AP.
  
  If the radio working mode is set to monitor, the AP scans all channels supported by the country code.
4. Run scan-interval scan-time
  The air scan interval is set.
  
  By default, the air scan interval is 10000 ms.
5. Run scan-period scan-time
  The air scan period is set.
  
  By default, the air scan period is 60 ms.
6. Run quit
  Return to the WLAN view.
7. Run radio-2g-profile name profile-name or radio-5g-profile name profile-name
  The 2G or 5G radio profile view is displayed.
8. Run air-scan-profile profile-name
  The air scan profile is bound to the 2G or 5G radio profile.
9. Run quit
  Return to the WLAN view.
(Optional) Configure the Big Data calibration function.
1. The KPI information report function needs to be configured.
  For details, see KPI Information Report Configuration. The collected information must contain neighbor device data (neighbor-device-data), radio monitoring data (radio-data), and STA data (terminal-data).
2. Run undo calibrate reference data-analysis
  The global Big Data calibration function is enabled.
  
  By default, Big Data calibration is enabled.
3. Configure Big Data calibration for APs.
  Configuration based on the AP group
  1. Run ap-group name group-name
    The AP group view is displayed.
  2. Run radio radio-id
    The radio view is displayed.
  3. Run calibrate reference data-analysis enable
    Big Data calibration is enabled on the radio interface of the AP group.
    
    By default, Big Data calibration is disabled on radio interfaces of APs but enabled on radio interfaces in an AP group.
  4. Run quit
    Return to the AP group view.
  Configuration based on the AP
  1. Run ap-id ap-id, ap-mac ap-mac, or ap-name ap-name
    The AP view is displayed.
  2. Run radio radio-id
    The radio view is displayed.
  3. Run calibrate reference data-analysis enable
    Big Data calibration is enabled on the radio interface of the AP.
    
    By default, Big Data calibration is disabled on radio interfaces of APs but enabled on radio interfaces in an AP group.
  4. Run quit
    Return to the AP view.
4. Run quit
  Return to the WLAN view.
Bind the radio profile and regulatory domain profile to an AP group or AP. For the detailed procedure of binding a radio profile, see Binding a Radio Profile.
Configuration based on the AP group
1. Run the ap-group name group-name command to enter the AP group view.
2. Run regulatory-domain-profile profile-name
  The regulatory domain profile is bound to the AP group.
Configuration based on the AP
1. Run the ap-id ap-id, ap-mac ap-mac, or ap-name ap-name command to enter the AP view.
2. Run regulatory-domain-profile profile-name
  The regulatory domain profile is bound to the AP.

Verifying the Configuration

Run the display wlan calibrate channel-set ap-group { name ap-group-name | all } command to check the calibration channel and bandwidth that take effect.
Run the display regulatory-domain-profile name profile-name command to check the configured calibration channel set and calibration bandwidth.
Run the display ap config-info { ap-name ap-name | ap-id ap-id } command to check whether the automatic channel selection and transmit power selection functions are enabled for AP.
Run the display air-scan-profile name profile-name command to check the air scan profile configuration.
Run the display radio-2g-profile name profile-name command to check the RRM profile and air scan profile bound to a 2G radio profile.
Run the display radio-5g-profile name profile-name command to check the RRM profile and air scan profile bound to a 5G radio profile.
Run the display flexible-radio status command to check the status and switching result of the redundant radio.
Run the display flexible-radio switch-record command to check the switching record of the redundant radio.

Follow-up Procedure

In any mode, you can run the calibrate manual startup command to trigger the calibration. In manual mode, the device implements radio calibration only after the calibrate manual startup command is executed.