IRC log for #neo900 on 20150922

00:20.52*** join/#neo900 modem (~modem@fsf/member/modem)
01:08.25*** join/#neo900 lobito (~lobito@190.177.221.93)
02:00.33*** join/#neo900 Humpelstilzchen (erik@f054029110.adsl.alicedsl.de)
02:46.22*** join/#neo900 wicket64 (~wicket@181.50.101.138)
03:59.05*** join/#neo900 nicksydney (~quassel@1.077.dsl.syd.iprimus.net.au)
06:32.54*** join/#neo900 jonsger (~Thunderbi@2a02:8070:791:2f00:5448:2eb1:10:6c24)
06:37.43*** join/#neo900 tomeff (~tomeff@ip-89-176-75-234.net.upcbroadband.cz)
06:49.22*** join/#neo900 delphi (ns-team@devbin/founder/trx)
07:07.42*** join/#neo900 Kabouik (~quassel@178.251.81.127)
07:45.13*** join/#neo900 PeperPots___ (sid1218@gateway/web/irccloud.com/x-bgcxoimhtiuvalge)
08:49.47*** join/#neo900 Kabouik (~quassel@178.251.81.127)
08:59.41*** join/#neo900 stefek99 (sid41457@gateway/web/irccloud.com/x-bbjdipcsnkwktnwg)
09:01.32*** join/#neo900 mzki (~koza@89-72-165-101.dynamic.chello.pl)
09:50.44*** join/#neo900 XDS2010 (sid1218@gateway/web/irccloud.com/x-enryigmvleljgijs)
10:13.55*** join/#neo900 Kabouik (~quassel@178.251.81.127)
10:16.37*** join/#neo900 SylvieLorxu (~TheLastPr@dhcp-077-251-165-191.chello.nl)
11:19.20*** join/#neo900 arossdotme-planb (~zxy@79-69-192-143.dynamic.dsl.as9105.com)
11:19.58*** join/#neo900 l_bratch (~l_bratch@212.9.8.20)
12:02.55*** join/#neo900 sparetire_ (~sparetire@unaffiliated/sparetire)
12:14.39*** join/#neo900 Kabouik (~quassel@178.251.81.127)
12:32.54*** join/#neo900 vakkov (~vakkov@s3n104.brunel.ac.uk)
12:54.36*** join/#neo900 merlin1991 (~merlin@Maemo/community/cssu/merlin1991)
13:01.45*** join/#neo900 vakkov (~vakkov@s3n104.brunel.ac.uk)
13:12.03*** join/#neo900 itbaron (~kvirc@a88-115-8-208.elisa-laajakaista.fi)
13:31.23*** join/#neo900 jonsger (~Thunderbi@2a02:8070:791:2f00:5448:2eb1:10:6c24)
13:37.59*** join/#neo900 brendafdez (~Brenda@unaffiliated/brendafdez)
14:13.55*** join/#neo900 vakkov (~vakkov@ic-s221n18.brunel.ac.uk)
15:23.35*** join/#neo900 tomeff (~tomeff@ip-78-102-111-158.net.upcbroadband.cz)
15:29.19*** join/#neo900 Pali (~pali@Maemo/community/contributor/Pali)
15:36.09*** join/#neo900 arcean (~arcean@nat1-3.finemedia.pl)
16:33.38DocScrutinizer05email inquiry >> 2 Could you list which things will contain proprietary software/binary blobs?<<  I honestly don't know if I'm able to explain to people that we don't even know which of the chips we use contain some contain any proprietary software. There's definitely some software in the 9-axis accelerometer, and afaik even Nokia's ALS has some software. The mixed signal programmable matrix chip SLG46721V (http://www.silego.com/buy/
16:33.40DocScrutinizer05index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=56&products_id=323) evidently has some limited amount of software built in. --- What was the question?
16:36.00DocScrutinizer05the CPU has some hardcoded 'proprietary' bootloader in ROM that's unknown detail.
16:36.25DocScrutinizer05the PMIC probably also has some software inside
16:37.21DocScrutinizer05the LCD controller possibly has some software
16:38.05DocScrutinizer05the touchscreen controller evidently has a firmware
16:40.35DocScrutinizer05of course WLAN BT WWAN have firmware, luckily we presuably can update these
16:41.09DocScrutinizer05camera chip has some software I guess. Probably both of them
16:42.06DocScrutinizer05bq24xxx and bq27xxx both have software for sure
16:43.28DocScrutinizer05LP55321 probably has some software (microcode) to execute the LED pattern programs
16:47.12DocScrutinizer05thinking of it I realize I can't tell where 'software' starts and 'configuration' ends. Is a matrix with efuses already software? Or a mask programmed ROM? Or a hardwired sequence of sequential (or parallel) operations of the logic blocks in a CPLD or ASIC or standard IC
16:49.13edwinif its hardwired I'd say its not software cause you can't change it
16:49.48DocScrutinizer05I can't change either of the above mentioned, except maybe for the WLAN, WWAN, BT stuff
16:49.53edwinto be software I think it should be changable, and be able to run a Turing complete language
16:50.14DocScrutinizer05how would I know what's inside a chip?
16:50.40edwinis there a way to know if it has a firmware update interface?
16:50.53DocScrutinizer05hiw would I run a test for turing completeness against a chip like BQ27200?
16:51.00DocScrutinizer05no
16:51.03*** join/#neo900 modem (~modem@fsf/member/modem)
16:51.43DocScrutinizer05if those chips have any such firmware update interface then it's not documented by the chip manufacturer
16:53.16DocScrutinizer05some datasheets mention something like "don't write to registers 8 - 26 since that could destroy the chip"
16:53.49DocScrutinizer05is that a hidden firmware update feature? I don't know
16:53.49edwinso presumably they are some undocumented fuses or config registers, but hmm even 1 bit can suffice to update the firmware no?
16:55.55DocScrutinizer05I guess that question in that email is being asked without a clear idea what's the actual question
16:56.45DocScrutinizer05just like "how many of that foods do contain genes?"
16:57.44edwinI think classifying the chips based on what you know about them is the best you can do:
16:57.45edwin<PROTECTED>
16:57.45edwin<PROTECTED>
16:57.45edwin<PROTECTED>
16:57.45edwin<PROTECTED>
16:57.46edwin<PROTECTED>
16:57.47edwin<PROTECTED>
16:58.43DocScrutinizer05thanks, that makes sense. Yes
16:59.08edwinso for example AFAIK the raspberry Pi requires firmware to be uploaded for its GPU otherwise the thing won't even boot
16:59.14edwinthat'd be #1 there
16:59.29edwinmy Radeon GPU has a firmware obviously , and there is a way to update it
16:59.38edwinbut it works with the factory firmware and has open source drivers
16:59.44edwinso that'd be #2 there
17:00.11DocScrutinizer05so we have presumably 1 module that needs upload of some firmware: WLAN+BT. And we have one module that has on-board firmware that can get updated: WWAN cell modem
17:01.05edwinfor the FSF I think #1 would be a huge problem, #2 is probably something they can live it (perhaps if you cripple the update interface like on that laptop, although that wouldn't help much)
17:01.32edwinhow about the GPU? I think thats mentioned on the webpage already
17:01.58DocScrutinizer05we have a chip we will program permanently (SLG46721V) and we have a MCU we will also program permanently with a bootloader that allows user to upload own code for NFC
17:02.14DocScrutinizer05we don't care about FSF
17:02.59DocScrutinizer05GPU needs proprietary firmware for 3G part of opengl-es
17:03.07DocScrutinizer052G is FOSS afaik
17:03.14edwinif you don't need 3D it'll still boot though right?
17:03.20DocScrutinizer05yes
17:03.53edwingood point about FOSS for GPU, I think thats important to mention too
17:04.01edwinthere's a difference between firmware blob, and userspace blob
17:04.06edwinand kernel blob
17:04.51edwinif I got it right you'll only need firmware blobs for Neo900
17:05.05DocScrutinizer05there's particularly a difference between code that executes on linux CPU and data of unknown nature (maybe some program?) that I need to upload into a chip and never again will see it
17:05.08edwinno userspace or kernel blobs are required (with the exception of 3D?)
17:05.37DocScrutinizer05aaah, that's your definition. Yes
17:06.00DocScrutinizer05no blobs in linux userspace or kernel
17:06.19DocScrutinizer05only some data files to upload to a module, via a FOSS interface and driver
17:06.44DocScrutinizer05(with exception of 3D)
17:07.33edwinhaving open source firmware would of course be nice, but you can't really do anything about it. Are you aware of alternative chips which have open source firmware ?
17:07.46DocScrutinizer05no
17:08.03DocScrutinizer05seems there are none. Atheros WLAN isn't meant for embedded
17:08.22DocScrutinizer05their embedded series is notably not FOSS
17:09.09DocScrutinizer05http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1483000#post1483000
17:10.34edwinI think the only place where it might seem you have a choice is the GPU, different GPUs have various reverse engineered drivers in various states. But changing the GPU means you have to change the CPU and the whole SoC...
17:15.56edwinhttp://listas.gnu.org.ve/pipermail/powervr-devel/2015-July/000156.html
17:16.04edwinmaybe the GPU is not so hopeless after all
17:16.30DocScrutinizer05I know
17:18.45edwinDocScrutinizer05: 2G is FOSS afaik
17:18.45edwin^you probably meant 2D
17:18.56DocScrutinizer05yes
17:19.14edwinbbl
17:34.48WizzupThere is a 2d unit in the neo900?
17:38.56DocScrutinizer05the PVR library is only 2D in FOSS version, afaik
17:39.26DocScrutinizer05there's a 3D unit in Neo900 resp OMAP3: called PowerVR GX530(?)
17:43.36Wizzupchecks elinux.org/N900
17:45.02DocScrutinizer05<PROTECTED>
17:45.23DocScrutinizer05pvrsrvkm omaplfb
17:45.55Wizzupah, if you use a specific ddx
17:46.04DocScrutinizer05ddx?
17:46.25Wizzupdevice dependent x driver (like xf86-video-foo)
17:46.39DocScrutinizer05o.O
17:47.39DocScrutinizer05how's SGX530 existence and the driver library for OpenGL-ES related to X?
17:48.00DocScrutinizer05related maybe, not depending on X anyway
17:48.20Wizzupwell, I'm confused regardless. for some gpus you need to use a specific ddx to get accel
17:48.23DocScrutinizer05some special X11 might depend on OpenGL
17:48.23Wizzuplike with xf86-video-radeon
17:48.39WizzupI mean, I expect the 2D to not be done using opengl/opengles?
17:48.47WizzupSome units have dedicated 2d units
17:48.52WizzupI guess the powervr does 2d as well
17:49.06WizzupI mostly know too little about the situation - don't mind me :D
17:50.08DocScrutinizer05yes, you need to use a enabled game to make use of the Okulus rift. That doesn't mean okulus rift depends on that game
17:50.33Wizzuphuh? :)
17:50.57DocScrutinizer05when you want to use 3D under X11, you might need a special X11 that supports acceleration from SGX530 hardware via OpenGL-ES library
17:51.34DocScrutinizer05and then you need a special app that makes use of the 3D accel provided by the special X11
17:51.41WizzupA X11 driver, not a special Xorg X11, but yes
17:53.30*** join/#neo900 Mentalysion (~quassel@ipservice-092-209-014-213.092.209.pools.vodafone-ip.de)
17:54.12DocScrutinizer05I don't know if OpenGL-ES lib actually might have dependencies on X11
17:54.19*** join/#neo900 SylvieLorxu (~TheLastPr@dhcp-077-251-165-191.chello.nl)
17:54.28DocScrutinizer05I doubt it though
17:56.17WizzupLinux graphics situation is not trivial. You can do 3d without X, but it's not typical
17:56.29WizzupI just wondered what part in the neo900 would do the accelerated *2D*
17:56.35DocScrutinizer05yes, of course
17:56.47Wizzupbut perhaps you were not talking about accelerated 2d
17:56.53Wizzupand just about mode setting/output
17:57.01DocScrutinizer05I talked about PVR
17:57.20DocScrutinizer05which has only 2D FOSS OpenGL-ES lib
17:57.38Wizzupthat surprises me :-) cool
17:57.59DocScrutinizer05since we don't ship OS, I can't say who does what with the PVR
17:58.04WizzupNot sure what 2d opengl-es is, though
17:59.29WizzupOpenGL and OpenGL-ES are both 3D acceleration APIs. While it is true you can use them for 2D acceleration (GLAMOR, or mplayer video scaling), it doesn't happen too often
17:59.52WizzupTypically one does accelerated graphics in X, although for some time DirectFB was an interesting alternative
17:59.52DocScrutinizer05*sigh*
17:59.58WizzupWhat am I missing here?
18:00.13WizzupI just just don't understand 2D FOSS OpenGL-ES lib
18:00.15DocScrutinizer05the facts I mentioned above
18:00.24WizzupWhat is a 2D OpenGL-ES lib?
18:00.44DocScrutinizer05well, prolly a lib that has reduced functionality
18:01.25WizzupDo you have a link? Nevermind if the conversation seems useless, I just think there's some misunderstanding here
18:02.05DocScrutinizer05I got no link. And I don't think there's a missunderstanding.
18:03.04DocScrutinizer05ImageTech/TI provides a BLOB that does OpenGL-ES 2.0 with 3D functions, and afaik there's a FOSS version that only can do 2D functions
18:03.14WizzupOk, I challenge the existance of a 2D OpenGL-ES lib, since OpenGL(-ES) is inherently 3D
18:03.21Wizzupbut OK, sounds awesome.
18:03.27WizzupWould be nice if that exists.
18:03.38DocScrutinizer05headdesks
18:03.57WizzupI think you'll find that what I am saying is less odd than you think it is :-/
18:04.02DocScrutinizer05what's unclear in a lib that can't do the 3D-related function calls
18:05.28WizzupAny 2D done with OpenGL is inherently 3D, just a projection onto 2D. That is what is unclear.
18:05.31DocScrutinizer05I never had a look into it since I'm not a developer of that stuff and never used it either, but to me it's pretty obvious what it means when a math lib can't do real but only integer math, or a lib can't do the 3D stuff but only the 2D bits
18:06.53DocScrutinizer05for simplifying this, let's just assume that for arbitrary function calls in FOSS OpenGL-ES, Z<>0 is not allowed
18:07.18WizzupThat is possible, but I would find it very interesting if that was done
18:07.19*** join/#neo900 Mentalysion (~quassel@ipservice-092-209-014-213.092.209.pools.vodafone-ip.de)
18:07.23WizzupBut yeah, not impossible.
18:07.35Wizzupbut it would be quite odd
18:07.37DocScrutinizer05sorry, I'm busy
18:07.40Wizzupokay, np
18:08.33DocScrutinizer05what's odd in no Z-buffer supported, no shading, no perspective, no... dunno what shit - fog, younameit
18:09.45DocScrutinizer05find the FOSS OpenGL implementation for PowerVR and you'll find the details in the readme there, I'd guess
18:09.50ds2what about textures?
18:45.56*** join/#neo900 tomeff_ (~tomeff@ip-78-102-111-158.net.upcbroadband.cz)
18:51.01*** join/#neo900 paulk-collins (~paulk@gagarine.paulk.fr)
19:03.15edwinhow about render acceleration?
19:03.58edwinthat can be done either by the Xorg DDX, or through OpenGL by using glamor to translate the 2D RENDER calls to OpenGL calls
19:04.14edwinthere are also hardware overlays for video playback
19:04.23edwinand hardware decode of certain video formats
19:09.02edwinI suppose 2D accel refers to EXA, or SNA or something like that too: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EXA
19:09.08WizzupIf the DDX does that
19:15.27*** join/#neo900 Wizzup (~Wizzup@a82-161-36-93.adsl.xs4all.nl)
19:24.24*** join/#neo900 vakkov (~vakkov@ic-s221n18.brunel.ac.uk)
19:26.47*** join/#neo900 jonsger (~Thunderbi@2a02:8070:791:2f00:5448:2eb1:10:6c24)
19:58.36*** join/#neo900 arossdotme-planb (~zxy@79-69-203-127.dynamic.dsl.as9105.com)
21:10.38*** part/#neo900 brendafdez (~Brenda@unaffiliated/brendafdez)
22:24.28*** join/#neo900 misv_ (~ms@128.199.49.125)
22:29.00*** join/#neo900 dos1 (~dos1@unaffiliated/dos1)
22:29.00*** mode/#neo900 [+v dos1] by ChanServ
22:38.18*** join/#neo900 mzki (~koza@89-72-165-101.dynamic.chello.pl)
23:49.13*** join/#neo900 Oksana (~chatzilla@Maemo/community/council/Wikiwide)

Generated by irclog2html.pl Modified by Tim Riker to work with infobot.