Anyone run a non-WiFi M.2 device (FPGA SDR) in the Laptop 16 WiFi (E-key) slot?

Framework Laptop 16
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I’m trying to use a Wavelet Lab uSDR (an M.2 2230 A+E-key, FPGA-based software-defined
radio that talks over USB 2.0 and/or PCIe) in the internal WiFi M.2 slot of my
Framework Laptop 16 (AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS, BIOS 0.0.4.4, Ubuntu 22.04). I specifically
want the WiFi slot because the internal antennas connect there.

The module gets power in the slot (PCB warm, status LED blinking), but it enumerates
on NEITHER bus:

  • nothing new in lsusb
  • nothing new in lspci (no PCIe link-training, nothing even after a forced PCIe rescan)
  • zero enumeration events/errors in dmesg

What I’ve already ruled out:

  • The module is good: it works fine on a USB-C adapter (enumerates as a USB device).
  • The slot is good: the original MediaTek WiFi+BT card worked fully in it, so both the
    slot’s PCIe lane (WiFi) and its USB 2.0 lines (Bluetooth) are functional.
  • BIOS “WiFi and Bluetooth device” is enabled; no rfkill block; BIOS updated to 04.04.
  • Tried two modules, reseated without antennas - no change.

So a WiFi card works in the slot, and the SDR works over USB-C, but the SDR refuses to
link (USB or PCIe) when it’s in the WiFi slot.

Questions for anyone who has tried similar things:

  1. Has anyone successfully run a non-WiFi M.2 device (FPGA card / SDR / etc.) in the
    Laptop 16’s WiFi E-key slot?
  2. Are there any known quirks with how the 16’s WiFi slot drives USB 2.0 / PCIe
    CLKREQ#/PERST# for devices that aren’t a recognized WiFi+BT card?
  3. Any BIOS/EC behavior that gates the slot’s USB or PCIe clock unless a known WiFi
    card is present?

Hardware details: Framework Laptop 16, AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS, BIOS 04.04.

Very Thanks!
Very regards,

e-nord

1 Like
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The FW 16. M.2 wifi slot is a E-key slot.
It cannot accept A+E cards

An A+E slot can accept A, E or A+E cards

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A+E cards are cards that are notched to work with an A-key slot or an E-key slot. I have four such cards in front of me and two of them inside Frameworks Laptop. The E-key slot can absolutely support an A+E keyed card.

@emil_nord I have tested an A+E-keyed non-wifi–but still network–card on the 7040-series platform and not seen any issue. Such a card is integral to the functioning of my Proxmox cluster. Unfortunately I don’t think that knowledge is going to help you very much more than suggesting that it should be possible.