There have been some notable updates for the Linux kernel this week, including staging updates, driver core, and char/misc merges.
Driver core, staging, and char/misc merges
USB and Thunderbolt updates for Linux 6.15-rc1
Thunderbolt and USB driver updates, core api updates, and other small driver updates and fixes
Among the changes announced by Greg Kroah-Hartman, the leader of the kernel’s maintenance team, are the USB and Thunderbolt driver updates for Linux 6.15. These updates, as Greg stated, are quite extensive and include:
Thunderbolt driver and core api updates for new hardware and features
usb-storage const array cleanups
typec driver updates
dwc3 driver updates
xhci driver updates and bugfixes
small USB documentation updates
usb cdns3 driver updates
usb gadget driver updates
other small driver updates and fixes
When we delve deeper into the patches, we find the addition of support for the Parade PS8830 USB Type-C Retimer. This re-timer is used in several Snapdragon X Elite laptops and allows for DisplayPort 4-lanes, DisplayPort 2-lanes + USB3, and USB3 modes of operation.
Parade PS8830 USB Type-C Retimer
Name: Parade PS8830
Usage: Re-timer for USB4, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt 4
Controlled via: I2C
Used in: Snapdragon X Elite laptops
DisplayPort 4-lanes support
DisplayPort 2-lanes + USB3
USB3 modes of operation
This new driver is named ps883x and in its initial form, it supports DisplayPort 4-lanes, DisplayPort 2-lanes + USB3, and USB3 modes of operation. The rest of the USB/Thunderbolt changes in Linux 6.15 are relatively small and random.
“I have added the following changes to the USB/Thunderbolt driver updates for 6.15-rc1:
– Thunderbolt driver and core api updates for new hardware and features
– usb-storage const array cleanups
– typec driver updates
– dwc3 driver updates
– xhci driver updates and bugfixes
– small USB documentation updates
– usb cdns3 driver updates
– usb gadget driver updates
– other small driver updates and fixes
These changes have been merged to Linux 6.15 Git.”
The DWC3 driver has seen the DT bindings added for Rockchip RK3562 SoC support. There is also a DT addition for the USB DWC3 for the Samsung Exynos 7870 and Exynos 990. This is part of the broader effort to improve the Linux kernel’s support for various devices. The rest of the changes
The rest of the USB/Thunderbolt changes in Linux 6.15 are relatively small and random. They include updates to the typec driver, dwc3 driver, xhci driver, and others. While these changes are significant in their own right, they do not represent a major overhaul of the USB and Thunderbolt support in the Linux kernel.
