usb8997 (Murata LBEE5XV1YM) Firmware Crash on Scan — Reproducible on Multiple Driver Stacks (moal/ml

[rikins]

Hello NXP team,

We're encountering a consistent and reproducible crash on the Murata LBEE5XV1YM module (Marvell usb8997 chipset) during scan operations, and would appreciate your insights or access to alternate firmware/debug builds.

Environment Overview

• Chipset: Marvell usb8997 (Murata LBEE5XV1YM)

• Firmware: nxp/usbusb8997_combo_v4.bin

• Kernel: 5.15.0-136-generic

• Drivers tested:

  • Custom out-of-tree moal.ko / mlan.ko

  • In-kernel default mwifiex_usb

• Platform: x86_64 Ubuntu (USB host, no hub)

Issue Summary

The module crashes and resets (USB disconnect) immediately after initiating a Wi-Fi scan.
This happens:

• With both minimal and full scans (e.g., iw dev ... scan freq 2412)

• On both moal/mlan and mwifiex_usb stacks

• Regardless of BT being disabled (fully tested)

• With power management settings already adjusted (autosuspend=-1, power/control = on)

The crash only occurs when issuing a scan, otherwise the firmware boots and interfaces initialize cleanly.

Key Log Snippet

Crash immediately follows scan start:

wlan: wlx9c50d1e343a4 START SCAN
DNLD_CMD: 0x107 (scan request)
...
Card is removed: -71
usb 3-5: USB disconnect, device number X
mlan_shutdown_fw.....

Debug Steps Taken

• Verified firmware loads correctly and interface comes up (wlx...)

• Disabled BT (crash still occurs)

• Tested both default (mwifiex) and MOAL driver stacks → same issue

• Scan fails even with restricted frequency scan (scan freq 2412)

• Regulatory domain forced to US (iw reg set US) → crash still occurs

• Crash is always triggered during scan cmd (0x107)

• drvdbg=0xffffffff set for full trace (no obvious root violation surfaced)

• USB power management verified: not in autosuspend; persistent power

Ask

1. Could you confirm if this is a known firmware issue with usb8997_combo_v4.bin?

2. Is there a stable or debug version of firmware we can test (with scan stability improvements)?

3. Are there known workarounds or module parameter changes that can mitigate this scan crash?

Below is how i load my driver:

// load the driver
sudo insmod mlan.ko

sudo insmod moal.ko fw_name=mrvl/usbusb8997_combo_v4.bin cal_data_cfg=none cfg80211_wext=0xf drv_mode=2 drvdbg=0xffffffff

PFA:
1. driver_file.zip (which has mlan.ko and moal.ko)
2. dmesg_log.txt and detailed_dmesg_log.txt (with drvdbg=0xffffffff)
3. fw bin = usbusb8997_combo_v4.bin

We're currently aiming to identify the root cause (RC) and resolution (RCA) as soon as possible, since this issue is currently blocking our integration of the Murata LBEE5XV1YM module into our platform.

We truly appreciate your support and guidance on this — thank you in advance!

Regards,
RS

[weidong_sun · Accepted solution]

Dear @rikins ,

It is not feasible to use default driver in linux Kernel.

you have 2 ways to get NXP 88W8997 driver:

1.. Getting mass market driver from github.

But usb driver for 88W8997 is not for mass market, so driver on github doesn't support your application.

2. Downloading driver from nxp website.

I checked USB drivers on website,  the following driver covers 5.15.x kernel version.

NXP_L_USB-USB-8997-U16-X86-W8997-W16.197.121.p1-16.26.121.p1-MXM5X16505.p7.2_V4-GPL.zip

Link is :

https://www.nxp.com/products/wireless-connectivity/wi-fi-plus-bluetooth-plus-802-15-4/2-4-5-ghz-dual...

The driver is Secure File,  customer needs to following these 2 steps to get it.

--NDA is required.

--Applying for access rights

After NDA is done, begin to apply for access rights like this:

www.nxp.com--login---My NXP Account---Secure Files--fill out information--submit--wait for approval from product manager.

Thanks!

Regards,

weidong

[rikins]

Hi @weidong_sun ,

Thanks for your input. we'll follow the said instructions for usb8997. I appreciate it!!

Doubt:
Is this only specific to usb? I hope pcie and sd will work fine.

Please lmk about the working steps of sd8997 for arm arch.

What I have tried is:
1. cloned the https://github.com/nxp-imx/mwifiex.git repo.
2. cross compiled it for my toolchain. (SD8997=y)
3. Use sdsd8997_combo_v4.bin (PFA)

Are the above steps correct? Please lmk if i have overlooked anything.

Regards,
RS

[weidong_sun]

Dear @rikins ,

See below, please!

1. Driver on github

Here is the document for the driver on github.

https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/release-note/RN00104.pdf

the driver supports the following soc and interfaces:

So you can see the driver doesn't support 8997 usb, but it supports SDIO for wifi and UART for Bluetooth on 8997, also support PCIe for WiFi and UART for Bluetooth on 8997.

2. Steps to get the driver on github

① Driver code
# git clone https://github.com/nxp-imx/mwifiex.git
# cd mwifiex
# git tag

……
android-15.0.0_1.0.0
automotive-11.0.0_2.1.0
……
automotive-14.0.0_2.1.0-imx95-er
automotive-14.0.0_2.3.0
……
lf-5.15.71-2.2.1
lf-5.15.71-2.2.2
lf-6.1.1-1.0.0
lf-6.1.22-2.0.0
lf-6.1.36-2.1.0
lf-6.1.55-2.2.0
lf-6.1.55-2.2.1
lf-6.1.55-2.2.2
lf-6.6.23-2.0.0
lf-6.6.3-1.0.0
lf-6.6.36-2.1.0
lf-6.6.52-2.2.0

Assume you are using linux kernel 6.6.52.

#  git checkout lf-6.6.52_2.2.0

② Firmware & wifi_mod_para.conf

https://github.com/nxp-imx/imx-firmware/tree/lf-6.6.52_2.2.0/nxp

--FwImage_8997, 

         --->pcieuart8997_combo_v4.bin, PCIe wifi & uart bluetooth firmware together.

--FwImage_8997_SD

        --->sdiouart8997_combo_v4.bin, SDIO wifi & uart bluetooth firmware together.

The driver doesn't support sdio wifi & sdio for bluetooth.

Thanks!

Regards,

weidong

[rikins]

Noted, thanks!