[PATCH] Documentation: extcon: add documentation for Extcon subsystem

From: anish kumar
Date: Sat Nov 02 2024 - 22:54:56 EST


The Extcon (External Connector) subsystem driver lacked proper
documentation. This commit adds comprehensive documentation
explaining the purpose, key components, and usage of the Extcon
framework.

The new documentation includes:
- An overview of the Extcon subsystem
- Descriptions of key structures
- Explanations of core functions
- Information on the sysfs interface
- A usage example for driver developers

Signed-off-by: anish kumar <yesanishhere@xxxxxxxxx>
---
Documentation/driver-api/extcon.rst | 255 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Documentation/driver-api/index.rst | 1 +
MAINTAINERS | 1 +
3 files changed, 257 insertions(+)
create mode 100644 Documentation/driver-api/extcon.rst

diff --git a/Documentation/driver-api/extcon.rst b/Documentation/driver-api/extcon.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..d3217b9cdcd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Documentation/driver-api/extcon.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,255 @@
+=======================
+Extcon Device Subsystem
+=======================
+
+Overview
+========
+
+The Extcon (External Connector) subsystem provides a unified framework for
+managing external connectors in Linux systems. It allows drivers to report
+the state of external connectors and provides a standardized interface for
+userspace to query and monitor these states.
+
+Extcon is particularly useful in modern devices with multiple connectivity
+options, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. It helps manage various
+types of connectors, including:
+
+1. USB connectors (e.g., USB-C, micro-USB)
+2. Charging ports (e.g., fast charging, wireless charging)
+3. Audio jacks (e.g., 3.5mm headphone jack)
+4. Video outputs (e.g., HDMI, DisplayPort)
+5. Docking stations
+
+Real-world examples:
+
+1. Smartphone USB-C port:
+ A single USB-C port on a smartphone can serve multiple functions. Extcon
+ can manage the different states of this port, such as:
+ - USB data connection
+ - Charging (various types like fast charging, USB Power Delivery)
+ - Audio output (USB-C headphones)
+ - Video output (USB-C to HDMI adapter)
+
+2. Laptop docking station:
+ When a laptop is connected to a docking station, multiple connections are
+ made simultaneously. Extcon can handle the state changes for:
+ - Power delivery
+ - External displays
+ - USB hub connections
+ - Ethernet connectivity
+
+3. Wireless charging pad:
+ Extcon can manage the state of a wireless charging connection, allowing
+ the system to respond appropriately when a device is placed on or removed
+ from the charging pad.
+
+4. Smart TV HDMI ports:
+ In a smart TV, Extcon can manage multiple HDMI ports, detecting when
+ devices are connected or disconnected, and potentially identifying the
+ type of device (e.g., gaming console, set-top box, Blu-ray player).
+
+The Extcon framework simplifies the development of drivers for these complex
+scenarios by providing a standardized way to report and query connector
+states, handle mutually exclusive connections, and manage connector
+properties. This allows for more robust and flexible handling of external
+connections in modern devices.
+
+Key Components
+==============
+
+extcon_dev
+----------
+
+The core structure representing an Extcon device::
+
+ struct extcon_dev {
+ const char *name;
+ const unsigned int *supported_cable;
+ const u32 *mutually_exclusive;
+
+ /* Internal data */
+ struct device dev;
+ unsigned int id;
+ struct raw_notifier_head nh_all;
+ struct raw_notifier_head *nh;
+ struct list_head entry;
+ int max_supported;
+ spinlock_t lock;
+ u32 state;
+
+ /* Sysfs related */
+ struct device_type extcon_dev_type;
+ struct extcon_cable *cables;
+ struct attribute_group attr_g_muex;
+ struct attribute **attrs_muex;
+ struct device_attribute *d_attrs_muex;
+ };
+
+Key fields:
+
+- ``name``: Name of the Extcon device
+- ``supported_cable``: Array of supported cable types
+- ``mutually_exclusive``: Array defining mutually exclusive cable types
+ This field is crucial for enforcing hardware constraints. It's an array of
+ 32-bit unsigned integers, where each element represents a set of mutually
+ exclusive cable types. The array should be terminated with a 0.
+
+ For example:
+
+ ::
+
+ static const u32 mutually_exclusive[] = {
+ BIT(0) | BIT(1), /* Cable 0 and 1 are mutually exclusive */
+ BIT(2) | BIT(3) | BIT(4), /* Cables 2, 3, and 4 are mutually exclusive */
+ 0 /* Terminator */
+ };
+
+ In this example, cables 0 and 1 cannot be connected simultaneously, and
+ cables 2, 3, and 4 are also mutually exclusive. This is useful for
+ scenarios like a single port that can either be USB or HDMI, but not both
+ at the same time.
+
+ The Extcon core uses this information to prevent invalid combinations of
+ cable states, ensuring that the reported states are always consistent
+ with the hardware capabilities.
+
+- ``state``: Current state of the device (bitmap of connected cables)
+
+
+extcon_cable
+------------
+
+Represents an individual cable managed by an Extcon device::
+
+ struct extcon_cable {
+ struct extcon_dev *edev;
+ int cable_index;
+ struct attribute_group attr_g;
+ struct device_attribute attr_name;
+ struct device_attribute attr_state;
+ struct attribute *attrs[3];
+ union extcon_property_value usb_propval[EXTCON_PROP_USB_CNT];
+ union extcon_property_value chg_propval[EXTCON_PROP_CHG_CNT];
+ union extcon_property_value jack_propval[EXTCON_PROP_JACK_CNT];
+ union extcon_property_value disp_propval[EXTCON_PROP_DISP_CNT];
+ DECLARE_BITMAP(usb_bits, EXTCON_PROP_USB_CNT);
+ DECLARE_BITMAP(chg_bits, EXTCON_PROP_CHG_CNT);
+ DECLARE_BITMAP(jack_bits, EXTCON_PROP_JACK_CNT);
+ DECLARE_BITMAP(disp_bits, EXTCON_PROP_DISP_CNT);
+ };
+
+Core Functions
+==============
+
+.. kernel-doc:: drivers/extcon/extcon.c
+ :identifiers: extcon_get_state
+
+.. kernel-doc:: drivers/extcon/extcon.c
+ :identifiers: extcon_set_state
+
+.. kernel-doc:: drivers/extcon/extcon.c
+ :identifiers: extcon_set_state_sync
+
+.. kernel-doc:: drivers/extcon/extcon.c
+ :identifiers: extcon_get_property
+
+
+Sysfs Interface
+===============
+
+Extcon devices expose the following sysfs attributes:
+
+- ``name``: Name of the Extcon device
+- ``state``: Current state of all supported cables
+- ``cable.N/name``: Name of the Nth supported cable
+- ``cable.N/state``: State of the Nth supported cable
+
+Usage Example
+-------------
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ #include <linux/module.h>
+ #include <linux/platform_device.h>
+ #include <linux/extcon.h>
+
+ struct my_extcon_data {
+ struct extcon_dev *edev;
+ struct device *dev;
+ };
+
+ static const unsigned int my_extcon_cable[] = {
+ EXTCON_USB,
+ EXTCON_USB_HOST,
+ EXTCON_NONE,
+ };
+
+ static int my_extcon_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
+ {
+ struct my_extcon_data *data;
+ int ret;
+
+ data = devm_kzalloc(&pdev->dev, sizeof(*data), GFP_KERNEL);
+ if (!data)
+ return -ENOMEM;
+
+ data->dev = &pdev->dev;
+
+ /* Initialize extcon device */
+ data->edev = devm_extcon_dev_allocate(data->dev, my_extcon_cable);
+ if (IS_ERR(data->edev)) {
+ dev_err(data->dev, "Failed to allocate extcon device\n");
+ return PTR_ERR(data->edev);
+ }
+
+ /* Register extcon device */
+ ret = devm_extcon_dev_register(data->dev, data->edev);
+ if (ret < 0) {
+ dev_err(data->dev, "Failed to register extcon device\n");
+ return ret;
+ }
+
+ platform_set_drvdata(pdev, data);
+
+ /* Example: Set initial state */
+ extcon_set_state_sync(data->edev, EXTCON_USB, true);
+
+ dev_info(data->dev, "My extcon driver probed successfully\n");
+ return 0;
+ }
+
+ static int my_extcon_remove(struct platform_device *pdev)
+ {
+ struct my_extcon_data *data = platform_get_drvdata(pdev);
+
+ /* Example: Clear state before removal */
+ extcon_set_state_sync(data->edev, EXTCON_USB, false);
+
+ dev_info(data->dev, "My extcon driver removed\n");
+ return 0;
+ }
+
+ static const struct of_device_id my_extcon_of_match[] = {
+ { .compatible = "my,extcon-device", },
+ { },
+ };
+ MODULE_DEVICE_TABLE(of, my_extcon_of_match);
+
+ static struct platform_driver my_extcon_driver = {
+ .driver = {
+ .name = "my-extcon-driver",
+ .of_match_table = my_extcon_of_match,
+ },
+ .probe = my_extcon_probe,
+ .remove = my_extcon_remove,
+ };
+
+ module_platform_driver(my_extcon_driver);
+
+This example demonstrates:
+---------------------------
+
+- Defining supported cable types (USB and USB Host in this case).
+- Allocating and registering an extcon device.
+- Setting an initial state for a cable (USB connected in this example).
+- Clearing the state when the driver is removed.
diff --git a/Documentation/driver-api/index.rst b/Documentation/driver-api/index.rst
index 7f83e05769b4..16e2c4ec3c01 100644
--- a/Documentation/driver-api/index.rst
+++ b/Documentation/driver-api/index.rst
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ Subsystem-specific APIs
dmaengine/index
dpll
edac
+ extcon
firmware/index
fpga/index
frame-buffer
diff --git a/MAINTAINERS b/MAINTAINERS
index c27f3190737f..7a8739ed9d46 100644
--- a/MAINTAINERS
+++ b/MAINTAINERS
@@ -8572,6 +8572,7 @@ L: linux-kernel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
S: Maintained
T: git git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/chanwoo/extcon.git
F: Documentation/devicetree/bindings/extcon/
+F: Documentation/driver-api/extcon.rst
F: Documentation/firmware-guide/acpi/extcon-intel-int3496.rst
F: drivers/extcon/
F: include/linux/extcon.h
--
2.39.3 (Apple Git-146)