Add A311D2/T7 SoC analysis, patch framework, automated build system, and complete image creation tools for kernel 6.18.3

[Copilot]

Khadas VIM4 (Amlogic A311D2/T7 SoC) lacks mainline kernel support. Analyzed Khadas 5.15.y kernel to identify gaps and provide patch foundation for 6.18.3, plus automated build system and complete image creation tools for testing.

Key Findings

A311D2/T7 is entirely absent from mainline:

• New SoC family, incompatible with existing A311D (G12B-based)
• 8-core: 4×A73 + 4×A53, Mali-G52 MP4, 5 TOPS NPU
• Requires ~3000-10000 LOC: clock controller (~2000), pinctrl (~1000), power domains (~500), reset (~300)

Deliverables

Analysis Documentation

• AMLOGIC_A311D2_ANALYSIS.md: Architecture, missing components, implementation phases
• ZUSAMMENFASSUNG.md: German summary with effort estimates (165-210h total)
• PROJECT_SUMMARY.txt: Executive overview
• BUILD_GUIDE.md: Comprehensive German build guide
• CREATE_COMPLETE_IMAGE.md: Complete guide for creating bootable images (German)

Patch Framework (patches-6.18.3/)

Provides templates and guidance for actual implementation:

• kvim4_defconfig: Board configuration with A311D2-specific options
• meson-t7-khadas-vim4-minimal.dts: Minimal device tree (CPU/RAM/UART only, register addresses flagged as unverified)
• HOWTO_CREATE_PATCHES.md: Step-by-step implementation guide
• FILE_SUMMARY.md: Complete inventory of required files from Khadas 5.15.y

Automated Build System

Ready-to-use build infrastructure for testing:

• build-vim4-kernel.sh: Automated build script that downloads kernel 6.18.3, applies patches, configures, and builds
• quick-setup.sh: Quick setup without building for faster iteration
• README_BUILD.md: Bilingual quick reference guide

Single command to build: ./build-vim4-kernel.sh

Output artifacts in build/output/:

• Image / Image.gz: Kernel images
• meson-t7-khadas-vim4.dtb: Device tree blob
• modules/: Kernel modules

Complete Image Creation Tools

Tools for creating bootable SD card images:

• create-complete-image.sh: Creates bootable SD card image with proper partitions, filesystem, kernel, and boot configuration
• image-helper.sh: Interactive helper script to guide users through image creation options
• CREATE_COMPLETE_IMAGE.md: Comprehensive guide covering two approaches:
  • Minimal boot image (kernel only, for development)
  • Complete bootable image (with root filesystem, recommended for testing)
  • Detailed steps for modifying Armbian images
  • Custom Debian/Ubuntu creation with debootstrap

Image creation output:

• 2GB SD card image with boot (FAT32) and root (ext4) partitions
• Compressed image (~300-500MB)
• U-Boot boot script template
• Basic filesystem structure

Implementation Phases

1. Minimal boot (5-10h): Device tree bindings + minimal DTS → console
2. Stub drivers (10-20h): Clock/pinctrl framework
3. Basic function (50-80h): Full drivers → storage/network/GPIO
4. Full support (100+h): USB/display/thermal

Limitations

Framework is not bootable without driver implementation. Register addresses in DTS are placeholders requiring verification. Build system produces compilable kernel but boot success not guaranteed without drivers. Minimal image (kernel-only) will not boot to usable system without root filesystem. For testing, recommended to use complete image approach with Armbian base. Intended as analysis foundation and developer roadmap for testing and development.

Testing Requirements:

• Serial console access required
• Backup boot system recommended (SD card)
• U-Boot configuration needs manual adjustment
• For complete bootable system, use Armbian modification approach (see CREATE_COMPLETE_IMAGE.md)

References

• Khadas kernel 5.15.y: https://github.com/khadas/linux/tree/khadas-vims-5.15.y
• Common drivers: https://github.com/khadas/common_drivers/tree/khadas-vims-5.15.y

Original prompt

Das vim4 mit den prozessor Amlogic A311D2 läuft nicht mit den mainline kernel. Es gibt in diesen repository ein kernel 5.15 der mit den prozessor funktioniert vergleiche die version mit den orginal source und analysiere was geändert wurde damit der prozessor funktioniert. Versuche anschließen ein patch für den aktuellen 6.18.3 zu erstellen

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[cantcode89]

@copilot kannst du den 6.18.3 kernel hinzufügen so das wir ein image bauen können mit den bereits erarbeiteten patches. ich würde das image dan testen

[Copilot]

@copilot kannst du den 6.18.3 kernel hinzufügen so das wir ein image bauen können mit den bereits erarbeiteten patches. ich würde das image dan testen

Kernel 6.18.3 Build-System hinzugefügt! 🎉

Verwendung:

# Schnelles Setup (nur Download & Patch)
./quick-setup.sh

# Vollständiger Build (30-60 Min)
./build-vim4-kernel.sh

Ergebnis: build/output/Image + meson-t7-khadas-vim4.dtb

Wichtig:

• Serial Console erforderlich für Testing
• Kernel kompiliert, aber Boot nicht garantiert (Treiber fehlen)
• Siehe BUILD_GUIDE.md für Details

Commit: 705cd63

[cantcode89]

@copilot wie baue ich das komplette image?

[Copilot]

@copilot wie baue ich das komplette image?

Es gibt 2 Optionen für ein komplettes Image:

Option 1: Minimales Image (nur Kernel, kein Userspace):

./build-vim4-kernel.sh
sudo ./create-complete-image.sh

⚠️ Bootet NICHT vollständig (kein Init), nur für Kernel-Debug

Option 2: Vollständiges Image (EMPFOHLEN):

./build-vim4-kernel.sh
./image-helper.sh  # Zeigt interaktive Anleitung

Dann Armbian-Image modifizieren (siehe CREATE_COMPLETE_IMAGE.md)

Schnellste Methode: Armbian VIM3/VIM4 Image nehmen, Kernel+DTB ersetzen aus build/output/, auf SD-Karte schreiben.

Siehe CREATE_COMPLETE_IMAGE.md für detaillierte Schritte.

Commit: 25508d1