NEC MPI4E Raspberry Pi Compute Module Setup Guide

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12.4 Enabling and disabling Wi-Fi at the hardware level

The Wi-Fi functionality of the Compute Module can be disabled at the hardware level by installing a

header jumper across the pins on the Interface Board labeled WF_nDisable. Disabling at the hardware

level overrides enabling Wi-Fi at the software level.

Do not jumper the header pins if the Wi-Fi functionality will be used. Note that Wi-Fi must also be enabled

at the software level, as well as selecting the external antenna. See the next section for details.

Use the raspi-config tool in Raspberry Pi OS to configure the wireless functions at the software level.

There is a green diagnostic LED located on the Interface Board labeled LED1007 that will illuminate when

the Wi-Fi module is enabled at the hardware level. This LED will be visible through the ventilation holes

on the back of the display when the board is installed.

12.5 Selecting the external antenna in software

The Compute Module 4 has a software defined antenna selection to select between the onboard antenna

and an external antenna connected via the U.FL connector.

The onboard antenna will be covered by the heat-sink and enclosed within the metal case of the display

and the signal will not radiate. Therefore, the external antenna must be selected in software.

To select the external antenna, edit the config.txt file in the boot folder/partition and edit or add the

following line:

dtparam=ant2

Make sure that there is not also a line in the file selecting the internal antenna ( dtparam=ant1 ).

12.6 Bluetooth functionality

At the time of writing, Bluetooth functionality is not yet certified for operation.

12.7 Troubleshooting wireless functionality

Problem: Operating system does not detect the Wi-Fi module

Solution:

• Check that the interface board type is the DS1-IF21CE type with wireless functionality enabled.

The type DS1-IF20CE interface board does not support wireless functionality.

• Check that a header jumper has not been installed across the pins on the Interface Board

labeled

WF_nDisable.

• Check if the green diagnostic LED located on the Interface Board labeled

LED1007 is illuminated,

indicating that the Wi-Fi module is enabled at the hardware level. This LED will be visible

through the ventilation holes on the back of the display when the board is installed.

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NEC MPI4E RaspberryPi 4 System on a Chip Solution