[PATCH v2 0/1] dt-bindings: connector: Add role‑switch provider phandle
From: Elson Serrao
Date: Tue Mar 24 2026 - 13:29:49 EST
Hi all,
This patch proposes a generic Devicetree mechanism for a USB connector to
reference the USB role‑switch provider when there is an intermediate,
block between the connector and the controller in the OF graph.
Problem
=======
OF‑graph links are strictly point‑to‑point via remote-endpoint, so a
consumer can only discover its immediate neighbor in the graph. When an
intermediate node sits between the USB connector and the controller, the
connector cannot identify the controller (the role‑switch provider) from
the graph alone.
Example (illustrative only)
===========================
On some Qualcomm SoCs, an Embedded USB Debug (EUD) block sits
electrically between USB‑C connectors and DWC3 controllers. EUD models
HS wiring only .
Below is a simplified diagram of the hardware paths:
EUD Block
+------------------------------+
| |
[Conn-0]-->[USB2PHY-0]---->|-------- Path 0 --------------|-->[USBCtrl-0]
| |
[Conn-1]-->[USB2PHY-1]---->|-------- Path 1 --------------|-->[USBCtrl-1]
| |
| +------------------+ |
| | EUD Debug Hub | |
| +------------------+ |
+------------------------------+
And the corresponding OF‑graph mapping
# Node: EUD (intermediate; graph-only for HS) (extending [1] to dual port)
EUD (eud@...)
└── ports
├─ port@0 (reg = <0>)
│ └─ endpoint ── remote-endpoint ──> USBCtrl-0
│
├─ port@1 (reg = <1>)
│ └─ endpoint ── remote-endpoint ──> Conn-0
│
├─ port@2 (reg = <2>)
│ └─ endpoint ── remote-endpoint ──> USBCtrl-1
│
└─ port@3 (reg = <3>)
└─ endpoint ── remote-endpoint ──> Conn-1
# Node: Connector 0
Conn-0: usb-connector
└── port
└─ port@0: endpoint --> remote-endpoint --> EUD:port@1
# Node: USB Controller 0
USBCtrl-0: usb@... (e.g., DWC3-0)
└── port
└─ port@0: endpoint --> remote-endpoint --> EUD:port@0
# Node: Connector 1
Conn-1: usb-connector
└── port
└─ port@0: endpoint --> remote-endpoint --> EUD:port@3
# Node: USB Controller 1
USBCtrl-1: usb@... (e.g., DWC3)
└── port
└─ port@0: endpoint --> remote-endpoint --> EUD:port@2
>From the OF‑graph structure alone, Conn‑0 cannot determine that
USBCtrl‑0 (and not USBCtrl‑1) is the correct role‑switch provider.
Proposal
========
Add an optional consumer→provider phandle on the connector:
usb-role-switch = <&controller>;
The provider remains the controller node, which already declares the
boolean 'usb-role-switch;' and registers the role‑switch device.
Thanks,
Elson Serrao
---
Changes in v2:
- Removed RFC tag following discussion and feedback.
- Link to v1: https://lore.kernel.org/all/20260223191042.825136-1-elson.serrao@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/
---
Elson Serrao (1):
dt-bindings: connector: Add role‑switch provider phandle
.../devicetree/bindings/connector/usb-connector.yaml | 8 ++++++++
1 file changed, 8 insertions(+)
--
2.34.1