Re: [PATCH v3 1/3] dt-bindings: hwmon: Add Infineon TDA38640

[Naresh Solanki]

Hi Krzysztof,

On Tue, 15 Aug 2023 at 01:02, Krzysztof Kozlowski
<krzysztof.kozlowski@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> On 11/08/2023 18:00, Naresh Solanki wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > On Tue, 8 Aug 2023 at 19:58, Conor Dooley <conor@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >>
> >> On Tue, Aug 08, 2023 at 07:10:08AM -0700, Guenter Roeck wrote:
> >>> On 8/8/23 04:46, Conor Dooley wrote:
> >>>> On Wed, Aug 02, 2023 at 09:31:51PM +0200, Naresh Solanki wrote:
> >>>>> From: Patrick Rudolph <patrick.rudolph@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> The TDA38640 chip has different output control mechanisms depending on
> >>>>> its mode of operation. When the chip is in SVID mode, only
> >>>>> hardware-based output control is supported via ENABLE pin. However, when
> >>>>> it operates in PMBus mode, software control works perfectly.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> To enable software control as a workaround in SVID mode, add the DT
> >>>>> property 'infineon,en-svid-control'. This property will enable the
> >>>>> workaround, which utilizes ENABLE pin polarity flipping for output when
> >>>>> the chip is in SVID mode.
> >>>>
> >>>> Why do you need a custom property for this? How come it is not possible
> >>>> to determine what bus you are on?
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>> That is not the point. Yes, it can be detected if the control method is
> >>> PMBus or SVID. However, in SVID mode, SVID is supposed to control the
> >>> output, not PMBUs. This is bypassed by controlling the polarity of the
> >>> (physical) output enable signal. We do _not_ want this enabled automatically
> >>> in SVID mode. Its side effects on random boards using this chip are unknown.
> >>> Thus, this needs a property which specifically enables this functionality
> >>> for users who _really_ need to use it and (hopefully) know what they are
> >>> doing.
> >>
> >> Hmm, reading this it makes a lot more sense why this is a property - I
> >> guess I just struggled to understand the commit message here,
> >> particularly what the benefit of using the workaround is. I'm still
> >> having difficulty parsing the commit & property text though - its
> >> unclear to me when you would need to use it - so I will stay out
> >> of the way & let Rob or Krzysztof handle things.
> >
> > To provide context, my system employs a unique power sequence
> > strategy utilizing a BMC (Baseboard Management Controller),
> > rendering the reliance on the ENABLE pin unnecessary.
> > In this configuration, the ENABLE pin is grounded in the hardware.
> > While most regulators facilitate PMBus Operation for output control,
> > the TDA38640 chip, when in SVID mode, is constrained by the
> > ENABLE pin to align with Intel specifications.
> > My communication with Infineon confirmed that the recommended
> > approach is to invert the Enable Pin for my use case.
> >
> > Since this is not typically the use case for most setup & hence DT property
> > is must for enabling the special case.
> >
> > For further insight into my setup's power sequence strategy, you can
> > refer to the following link: https://github.com/9elements/pwrseqd
> >
>
> This justifies to me the property, but still you described desired
> driver behavior, not the hardware characteristic. Don't describe what
> you want to control, but describe the entire system.
I guess by entire system you mean how the regulators(including
TDA38640) connected & operated in our setup ?

Regards,
Naresh
>
> Best regards,
> Krzysztof
>