11:21 <hedie> hi there. I would like to build u-boot and a kernel (mainline, not 3.4) for my self developed board containing a A13-Chip. Is there still a need for the FEX-File when using Mainline Kernel? Cause on this page: https://linux-sunxi.org/New_Device_howto under Step 3 there is written: "to retrieve the bootinfo and .fex files." im confused. I thought the fex files are only needed in case of legacy 3.4 kernel?

11:25 <megi> hedie: no need

11:25 <hedie> Great! Thanks. Since there is no need for FEX-File i think all the necessary DDR-Settings are configured directly within the config file of the U-Boot?

11:26 <hedie> Is there any documentation which shows what kind of parameters can be configured? Somethign like that but for U-Boot settings? https://linux-sunxi.org/Fex_Guide

11:26 <megi> some are some are probably hardcoded in C code

11:27 <hedie> ok, then i must change the settings directly on the C-Code which i create under boards/my_board..

11:28 <megi> depends on what exactly you want to change

11:28 <megi> frequency, zq, and maybe some other params can be set in config file

11:28 <hedie> actually i dont know what i will have to change

11:29 <hedie> since the board is completly new designed (HW, DDR3 Chip)

11:29 <hedie> i dont know if i need to change skews and delays...

11:29 <hedie> what would you propose?

11:29 <megi> I don't know

11:29 <hedie> actually i thought that olimex would be a good starting point

11:29 <hedie> https://www.olimex.com/wiki/A13-SOM-building-latest-Debian

11:30 <hedie> but it turned out, that they also use FEX-Files

11:30 <hedie> so i actually looking for a simple board which uses the Devicetree

11:30 <hedie> to be used as an example

11:30 <megi> yeah, find some similar board in mainline u-boot and copy the config and start from there

11:31 <hedie> yes i will try that.

11:31 <megi> then the same for Linux dts

11:31 <hedie> thanks for your help :) i will now start to create a new wiki page, as the wiki told me ;)

11:31 <megi> :)

12:31 <hedie> I have found the file dram_sun5i_auto.c in the mainline u-boot

12:31 <hedie> does this file means, that there is no need to specify delay timings for my board? Is it a real "auto-config"? :)

17:58 <diego71> dram settings are defined in u-boot, and can be changed with make menuconfig

17:59 <diego71> there is some information at https://linux-sunxi.org/A10_DRAM_Controller_Calibration

17:59 <diego71> (maybe to much :) )

19:08 <damex> hello, is there a recommendation about board to get? all i care for is more memory, raspberry pi formfactor (mounts for stacking boards) and being usb powered. waiting for libre.computer h5 board to arrive, but need more variety.

19:09 <KotCzarny> librepi fits your description

19:11 <damex> KotCzarny: well, https://libre.computer/products/boards/all-h3-cc/ that one? already waiting for that one to arrive. maybe a recommendation of some other boards to get?

19:11 <KotCzarny> h5 one has 2gb of ram

19:13 <smaeul> the most memory you can get in a rpi form factor is the 3GB Pine H64

19:14 <smaeul> but it isn't (directly) usb powered

19:15 <damex> smaeul: pine h64 looks good, but that barrel plug for power is not so great.

19:15 <KotCzarny> barrel for power is better

19:15 <KotCzarny> grab a good 5v power source and just get bunch of leads for cheap

19:16 <KotCzarny> microusb connection to the board is so tiny it limits available amps

19:16 <damex> i don't have any empty AC slots, but i have plenty 2.4a (seem to be plenty if you don't use usb/media features) usb ports to power up that boards

19:17 <smaeul> so get a USB A <--> barrel cable

19:17 <damex> smaeul: they are all very long and hard to come by

19:18 <KotCzarny> aliexpress has them all

19:18 <KotCzarny> short, long

19:18 <smaeul> there's also a 2mm pitch header for 5v input

19:18 <KotCzarny> and cheap for a bunch

19:18 <smaeul> KotCzarny: or you can grab a microUSB cable and a soldering iron :)

19:18 <KotCzarny> smaeul: anyone sticking to microusb gets into 'i cant solder' book for me

19:19 <KotCzarny> but still, microusb jack connection on the board has tiny leads

19:20 <damex> well, i would highly prefer PoE over microusb or barrel plug :)

19:21 <damex> my whole lab is like 25cm ethernet and microUSB/usbC cables. that is also limiting to 4 devices per switch (edgerouter-X) and powerbank :/

19:21 <KotCzarny> you can ghetto poe-to-barrel plug if the cable isnt too long

19:21 <KotCzarny> but you would need pseudo poe on the other side too

19:22 <KotCzarny> unless you ghetto add 48->5 converted at the board's end

19:22 <smaeul> KotCzarny: who's suggesting soldering now? :P

19:22 <KotCzarny> :)

19:22 <KotCzarny> maybe there are ready made solutions on ae ?

19:23 <KotCzarny> who knows, lets check

19:23 <damex> https://store.pine64.org/?product=rock64-poe-splitter that one? so messy

19:23 <KotCzarny> https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32741502485.html

19:23 <KotCzarny> not cheap tho

19:24 <KotCzarny> and limited current

19:25 <damex> well, one from pine64 store has 2.4a

19:25 <KotCzarny> but nice solution for the solderless folks

19:26 <damex> its better to have PoE hat like raspbery pi has

19:27 <KotCzarny> the plug i have pasted is jsut like a hat

19:27 <KotCzarny> without needing the hat

19:27 <KotCzarny> and how much is the rpi hat?

19:27 <damex> its far from a HAT. it will have that adapter hanging ourside of the board

19:27 <KotCzarny> lab is usually hidden in some storage

19:28 <damex> KotCzarny: 20~25 usd shipped i think

19:28 <damex> KotCzarny: well, not that one :)

19:29 <KotCzarny> yeah, just wanted the price reference

19:44 <damex> http://linux-sunxi.org/Xunlong_Orange_Pi_3 is that board have different mounting locations compared to rpi? seem to be very close/very similar. i don't see any document about dimensions between that mounting holes it has

19:45 <damex> it seems like it could be powered from microUSB and has 2gb ram