stlc45xx: open source WLAN driver for N800 and N810

I'm excited to announce a new project called stlc45xx, an open source
WLAN driver for Nokia N800 and N810. It's using mac80211 stack
included in Linux since 2.6.22. Even though I currently classify the
driver as alpha quality I have managed to transfer 1.2 GB of data with
iperf.

Our aim is to run the project in community mode and all community
contribution is very welcomed. A git repository will be set up soon to
make it easier for the developers to work on the driver. The project
web page will contain more information as it comes available:

http://stlc45xx.garage.maemo.org/

I recommend anyone interested about the project joining
stlc45xx-devel. Unfortunately the garage project is closed currently,
but it will be opened as soon as possible.

I'm sending this from Helsinki-Vantaa airport on my way to Berlin. I
will be giving a presentation about stlc45xx at the Maemo Summit on
Friday 15:00. See you there!

Kalle Valo

Kalle Valo wrote:
> I'm excited to announce a new project called stlc45xx, an open source
> WLAN driver for Nokia N800 and N810.

Excellent news, many thanks Nokia :-) This saves our N8x0 tablets from
bitrotting. And hopefully 770 too. Now it actually makes sense to beat
linux-omap into working shape for all current tablets giving them extra
life for years.

> It's using mac80211 stack
> included in Linux since 2.6.22.

I wonder what kernel will Fremantle use. Would be nice to run it with
same kernel and switch between wi-fi stacks on the fly.

>
> Our aim is to run the project in community mode and all community
> contribution is very welcomed.

Will definitely try. 770 support comes to my mind first, current
stlc45xx_readXX/writeXX code uses SPI framework, 770 has the chip
connected over McBSP port. Should be posible to either resurrect direct
McBSP code back or maybe add its driver it into SPI framework.

Frantisek

Frantisek,

ok, you got me. "bitrotting"?

May I surmise that that is what happens to files, hw & software when you
throw them in the "bit bucket" aka "the trash-heap of digital history"?


Best Regards,



John Holmblad



Acadia Secure Networks, LLC

* *

<mailto:jholmblad@verizon.net>



Frantisek Dufka wrote:
> Kalle Valo wrote:
>
>> I'm excited to announce a new project called stlc45xx, an open source
>> WLAN driver for Nokia N800 and N810.
>>
>
> Excellent news, many thanks Nokia :-) This saves our N8x0 tablets from
> bitrotting. And hopefully 770 too. Now it actually makes sense to beat
> linux-omap into working shape for all current tablets giving them extra
> life for years.
>
>
>> It's using mac80211 stack
>> included in Linux since 2.6.22.
>>
>
> I wonder what kernel will Fremantle use. Would be nice to run it with
> same kernel and switch between wi-fi stacks on the fly.
>
>
>> Our aim is to run the project in community mode and all community
>> contribution is very welcomed.
>>
>
> Will definitely try. 770 support comes to my mind first, current
> stlc45xx_readXX/writeXX code uses SPI framework, 770 has the chip
> connected over McBSP port. Should be posible to either resurrect direct
> McBSP code back or maybe add its driver it into SPI framework.
>
> Frantisek
>
>
>

John Holmblad wrote:
> Frantisek,
>
> ok, you got me. "bitrotting"?
>
> May I surmise that that is what happens to files, hw & software when you
> throw them in the "bit bucket" aka "the trash-heap of digital history"?
>

Yes, this happens also to linux kernel and all software running on the
tablet. Having free wi-fi driver means open possibilities to have newer
systems ported to the tablet (like Android for instance) so people are
not permanently stuck with ancient software on the tablet.

Until now it was possible to use wi-fi on the tablet only with 2.6.16,
2.6.18 and 2.6.21 linux kernels (all quite old today) and only in
specifc configurations that do not break closed wi-fi driver module.

Frantisek

Kalle Valo wrote:
> I'm excited to announce a new project called stlc45xx, an open source
> WLAN driver for Nokia N800 and N810. It's using mac80211 stack
> included in Linux since 2.6.22. Even though I currently classify the
> driver as alpha quality I have managed to transfer 1.2 GB of data with
> iperf.

Excellent news! our sales and marketing will love you!

>
> Our aim is to run the project in community mode and all community
> contribution is very welcomed. A git repository will be set up soon to
> make it easier for the developers to work on the driver. The project
> web page will contain more information as it comes available:
>
> http://stlc45xx.garage.maemo.org/
>
> I recommend anyone interested about the project joining
> stlc45xx-devel. Unfortunately the garage project is closed currently,
> but it will be opened as soon as possible.
>
> I'm sending this from Helsinki-Vantaa airport on my way to Berlin. I
> will be giving a presentation about stlc45xx at the Maemo Summit on
> Friday 15:00. See you there!

hopefully these will be recorded for those on the other side of the planet.



--
Lorn 'ljp' Potter
Software Engineer, Systems Group, Trolltech, a Nokia company

Hi Kalle Valo and OSSO team.

Kalle Valo schrieb:
> I'm excited to announce a new project called stlc45xx, an open source
> WLAN driver for Nokia N800 and N810. It's using mac80211 stack
> included in Linux since 2.6.22. Even though I currently classify the
> driver as alpha quality I have managed to transfer 1.2 GB of data with
> iperf.
This is great news! And what is also great about this is that the
specification for the device is included.

> Our aim is to run the project in community mode and all community
> contribution is very welcomed. A git repository will be set up soon to
> make it easier for the developers to work on the driver. The project
> web page will contain more information as it comes available:
>
> http://stlc45xx.garage.maemo.org/

Very nice! AFAIK this is the first time that the community can help in
delivering a free core component. I really appreciate this!

What is also great is that DSME is going to be opened. The temptation is
big to ask for BME as well but for today let us be happy with the things
we got. :)

In talks to other people here at the summit the move to open those two
components was seen as a good step in the right direction.

Congrats to those who made it possible!

Regards
Robert