[E3-hacking] Amstrad E3 support status for 2.6.32

[Janusz Krzysztofik]

Hi,

The kernel release 2.6.32 is almost out. I have just downloaded and tested 
2.6.32-rc7 successfully (I hope there will be no more fixes required).

After unpacking it, I run:

	ARCH=arm make ams_delta_defconfig

then build the kernel in a usual way.

Using old E3_release_v2.tar.gz with uImage replaced with the one just built 
(arch/arm/boot/uImage), I was able to boot the machine, log into the 
install-initrd, both from ttyS0 and framebuffer console, get access to a USB 
stick, verify on-board flash is accessible. I did not proceed with 
ams_delta_install, but I think it would run without problems.

Compared to that old 2.6.16-omap1 with ams_delta patches, 2.6.32 mainline 
kernel doesn't yet support the detachable keyboard (mailboard) and doesn't 
provide a driver for LCD contrast and backlight setting, but it has LED 
support introduced in 2.6.17. There is still no support for the camera (it 
was present once in 2.6.19). Full framebuffer/LCD driver, frozen in the OMAP 
tree for a long time, finally found it's wat into the mainline.

Old sound driver has been replaced with a new one, ASoC based. Both ALSA and 
OSS interface are fully usable. The new driver supports full duplex and 
handset/speakerphone switching using the hook switch and/or a mixer control. 
To get those features working, ldattach utility (sadly not present on the old 
initramfs) must be used in order to load a line discipline #19 onto the modem 
line (has been moved to ttyS3). The hook switch state can be simply detrmined 
by examining /sys/class/gpio/gpio4/value file contents, it also generates 
regular input events over the /dev/input/event1 device interface.

The kernel with ams_delta_defconfig applied supports both old distributions, 
like Familiar that E3_release_v2 was based on, and new, like Angstrom, that 
may require EABI + Thumb instructions turned on. Power management is turned 
on by default with not much visible results yet.

Starting with this kernel release, the machine, equipped with a network 
adapter and a suitable userspace software, can ultimately be used as an IP 
phone. Personally, I use asterisk combined with lirc for the purpose.

Thanks,
Janusz