[Letux-kernel] [OpenOCD-devel] [PATCH]: d86217d board: add Skytone Alpha 400

[Lubomir Rintel]

On Sat, Oct 24, 2020 at 04:26:43PM +0200, H. Nikolaus Schaller wrote:
> Hi Lubomir,
> 
> > Am 24.10.2020 um 15:35 schrieb Lubomir Rintel <lkundrak at v3.sk>:
> > 
> > On Sat, Oct 24, 2020 at 08:53:13AM +0200, Daniel Glöckner wrote:
> >> Hi,
> >> 
> >> On Fri, Oct 23, 2020 at 07:13:37PM +0100, gerrit wrote:
> >>>    This adds the configuration for the MIPS subnotebook board that is known
> >>>    by many names -- Skytone Alpha 400 seems to be the OEM name. The unit
> >>>    I've tested this on was sold as "Elonex Onet+".
> >> 
> >> glad to see someone use my JZ4730 patches. Is there a public place
> >> where people are coordinating open source development for the Onet+?
> >> The Letux 400 mailing list unfortunately fell silent.
> 
> The specific list was replaced by the letux-kernel devel mailing
> list because the kernel tree now covers a big set of different devices in
> parallel. So there was no need any more for device specific lists (at least
> on kernel level).
> 
> I have CCed the list plus two GNUsteppers from whom I know that they
> are still interested in MIPS and this machine.
> 
> > 
> > I don't know. I guess you're referring to mipsbook-devel? It indeed
> > looks silent.
> 
> Yes, that list is silent as well.
> 
> > It's perhaps because the hardware, be it rather nifty, is
> > now slightly aged.
> > 
> > I've only recently got the machine and started to look around. I'd like
> > it to eventually run up to date software, notably mainline Linux.
> > I'm currently beating u-boot into shape and intend to try send out the
> > patches upstream soonish.
> > 
> > I've noticed that H. Nikolaus Schaller keeps rebasing his and Paul
> > Boddie's jz4730 patches in the letux-kernel tree [1].
> 
> We try to do our best...
> 
> > I've had to fix up
> > quite some issues to get the thing to build so I suspect they probably
> > don't run it?
> 
> Well, it is unfortunately on really low priority for me. I just would have
> to open my Letux 400 and solder a connector for the serial console and close the
> device again :) So that I can see what is happening during hand-over from 
> U-Boot to the kernel or if the kernel isn't booting to at least some login: prompt.

Yes. My machine (that's an Elonex Onet+ I think) actually had a connector
(a 4-pin molex picoblade or something similar), accessible from the battery
compartment soldered from factory, though not the JTAG one.

In any case, I've got a setup with both UART and the JTAG hooked on at
this point. I intend to get the thing booting as time permits. In the
other message I shot your way today [1] I shared what the situation
looks like at this point.

[1] https://lists.goldelico.com/pipermail/letux-kernel/2020-November/005856.html

> Unfortunately a lot of documentation about these devices has been lost.
> AFAIR there was Kwaak (some early public Wiki) and the wayback machine has archived
> some parts, but for example I could no longer find the photos about
> disassembly.
> 
> Another problem is that I am no longer experienced in the details how to
> boot from SD card... AFAIR there was some special key combination and if
> one get it wrong the system will overwrite flash where only JTAG could
> recover the bricked device.
> 
> A minor problem is that the remaining batteries are now all broken, but it
> works without, just with power supply.
> 
> > My intent was to send the patches their way and ask about
> > the status of the tree; adding them to Cc now so they can chime in.
> 
> Yes, please. Patches are always welcome!
> 
> > 
> > [1] https://git.goldelico.com/?p=letux-kernel.git;a=heads
> > 
> >> I found a few years ago that the FCC registration document for the
> >> Skytone Alpha 400 (FCC ID WMGALPHA400) simply points to the Sungworld
> >> SW-E700 (FCC ID WI3SW-E700). The Sungworld FCC database entry has a
> >> schematic attached.
> > 
> > I've got the schematic from here [2]. It looks like it's probably the
> > same one.
> 
> > 
> > [2] https://download.goldelico.com/letux-400/files/
> 
> Hardware-wise these devices (Skytone, Elonex, Letux and many more) seem
> to be the same.
> 
> > 
> >> Best regards,
> >> 
> >>  Daniel
> > 
> > Take care
> > Lubo
> 
> BR and take care,
> Nikolaus

Lubo