Documentation/fb/uvesafb.txt - linux-imx - Git at Google


 uvesafb - A Generic Driver for VBE2+ compliant video cards
 ==========================================================

 1. Requirements
 ---------------

 uvesafb should work with any video card that has a Video BIOS compliant
 with the VBE 2.0 standard.

 Unlike other drivers, uvesafb makes use of a userspace helper called
 v86d.  v86d is used to run the x86 Video BIOS code in a simulated and
 controlled environment.  This allows uvesafb to function on arches other
 than x86.  Check the v86d documentation for a list of currently supported
 arches.

 v86d source code can be downloaded from the following website:
   http://dev.gentoo.org/~spock/projects/uvesafb

 Please refer to the v86d documentation for detailed configuration and
 installation instructions.

 Note that the v86d userspace helper has to be available at all times in
 order for uvesafb to work properly.  If you want to use uvesafb during
 early boot, you will have to include v86d into an initramfs image, and
 either compile it into the kernel or use it as an initrd.

 2. Caveats and limitations
 --------------------------

 uvesafb is a _generic_ driver which supports a wide variety of video
 cards, but which is ultimately limited by the Video BIOS interface.
 The most important limitations are:

 - Lack of any type of acceleration.
 - A strict and limited set of supported video modes.  Often the native
   or most optimal resolution/refresh rate for your setup will not work
   with uvesafb, simply because the Video BIOS doesn't support the
   video mode you want to use.  This can be especially painful with
   widescreen panels, where native video modes don't have the 4:3 aspect
   ratio, which is what most BIOS-es are limited to.
 - Adjusting the refresh rate is only possible with a VBE 3.0 compliant
   Video BIOS.  Note that many nVidia Video BIOS-es claim to be VBE 3.0
   compliant, while they simply ignore any refresh rate settings.

 3. Configuration
 ----------------

 uvesafb can be compiled either as a module, or directly into the kernel.
 In both cases it supports the same set of configuration options, which
 are either given on the kernel command line or as module parameters, e.g.:

  video=uvesafb:1024x768-32,mtrr:3,ywrap (compiled into the kernel)

  # modprobe uvesafb mode_option=1024x768-32 mtrr=3 scroll=ywrap  (module)

 Accepted options:

 ypan    Enable display panning using the VESA protected mode
         interface.  The visible screen is just a window of the
         video memory, console scrolling is done by changing the
         start of the window.  This option is available on x86
         only and is the default option on that architecture.

 ywrap   Same as ypan, but assumes your gfx board can wrap-around
         the video memory (i.e. starts reading from top if it
         reaches the end of video memory).  Faster than ypan.
         Available on x86 only.

 redraw  Scroll by redrawing the affected part of the screen, this
         is the default on non-x86.

 (If you're using uvesafb as a module, the above three options are
  used a parameter of the scroll option, e.g. scroll=ypan.)

 vgapal  Use the standard VGA registers for palette changes.

 pmipal  Use the protected mode interface for palette changes.
         This is the default if the protected mode interface is
         available.  Available on x86 only.

 mtrr:n  Setup memory type range registers for the framebuffer
         where n:
               0 - disabled (equivalent to nomtrr)
               3 - write-combining (default)

 	Values other than 0 and 3 will result in a warning and will be
 	treated just like 3.

 nomtrr  Do not use memory type range registers.

 vremap:n
         Remap 'n' MiB of video RAM.  If 0 or not specified, remap memory
         according to video mode.

 vtotal:n
         If the video BIOS of your card incorrectly determines the total
         amount of video RAM, use this option to override the BIOS (in MiB).

 <mode>  The mode you want to set, in the standard modedb format.  Refer to
         modedb.txt for a detailed description.  When uvesafb is compiled as
         a module, the mode string should be provided as a value of the
         'mode_option' option.

 vbemode:x
         Force the use of VBE mode x.  The mode will only be set if it's
         found in the VBE-provided list of supported modes.
         NOTE: The mode number 'x' should be specified in VESA mode number
         notation, not the Linux kernel one (eg. 257 instead of 769).
         HINT: If you use this option because normal <mode> parameter does
         not work for you and you use a X server, you'll probably want to
         set the 'nocrtc' option to ensure that the video mode is properly
         restored after console <-> X switches.

 nocrtc  Do not use CRTC timings while setting the video mode.  This option
         has any effect only if the Video BIOS is VBE 3.0 compliant.  Use it
         if you have problems with modes set the standard way.  Note that
         using this option implies that any refresh rate adjustments will
         be ignored and the refresh rate will stay at your BIOS default (60 Hz).

 noedid  Do not try to fetch and use EDID-provided modes.

 noblank Disable hardware blanking.

 v86d:path
         Set path to the v86d executable. This option is only available as
         a module parameter, and not as a part of the video= string.  If you
         need to use it and have uvesafb built into the kernel, use
         uvesafb.v86d="path".

 Additionally, the following parameters may be provided.  They all override the
 EDID-provided values and BIOS defaults.  Refer to your monitor's specs to get
 the correct values for maxhf, maxvf and maxclk for your hardware.

 maxhf:n     Maximum horizontal frequency (in kHz).
 maxvf:n     Maximum vertical frequency (in Hz).
 maxclk:n    Maximum pixel clock (in MHz).

 4. The sysfs interface
 ----------------------

 uvesafb provides several sysfs nodes for configurable parameters and
 additional information.

 Driver attributes:

 /sys/bus/platform/drivers/uvesafb
   - v86d (default: /sbin/v86d)
     Path to the v86d executable. v86d is started by uvesafb
     if an instance of the daemon isn't already running.

 Device attributes:

 /sys/bus/platform/drivers/uvesafb/uvesafb.0
   - nocrtc
     Use the default refresh rate (60 Hz) if set to 1.

   - oem_product_name
   - oem_product_rev
   - oem_string
   - oem_vendor
     Information about the card and its maker.

   - vbe_modes
     A list of video modes supported by the Video BIOS along with their
     VBE mode numbers in hex.

   - vbe_version
     A BCD value indicating the implemented VBE standard.

 5. Miscellaneous
 ----------------

 Uvesafb will set a video mode with the default refresh rate and timings
 from the Video BIOS if you set pixclock to 0 in fb_var_screeninfo.


 --
  Michal Januszewski <spock@gentoo.org>
  Last updated: 2009-03-30

  Documentation of the uvesafb options is loosely based on vesafb.txt.

	uvesafb - A Generic Driver for VBE2+ compliant video cards
	==========================================================

	1. Requirements
	---------------

	uvesafb should work with any video card that has a Video BIOS compliant
	with the VBE 2.0 standard.

	Unlike other drivers, uvesafb makes use of a userspace helper called
	v86d. v86d is used to run the x86 Video BIOS code in a simulated and
	controlled environment. This allows uvesafb to function on arches other
	than x86. Check the v86d documentation for a list of currently supported
	arches.

	v86d source code can be downloaded from the following website:
	http://dev.gentoo.org/~spock/projects/uvesafb

	Please refer to the v86d documentation for detailed configuration and
	installation instructions.

	Note that the v86d userspace helper has to be available at all times in
	order for uvesafb to work properly. If you want to use uvesafb during
	early boot, you will have to include v86d into an initramfs image, and
	either compile it into the kernel or use it as an initrd.

	2. Caveats and limitations
	--------------------------

	uvesafb is a _generic_ driver which supports a wide variety of video
	cards, but which is ultimately limited by the Video BIOS interface.
	The most important limitations are:

	- Lack of any type of acceleration.
	- A strict and limited set of supported video modes. Often the native
	or most optimal resolution/refresh rate for your setup will not work
	with uvesafb, simply because the Video BIOS doesn't support the
	video mode you want to use. This can be especially painful with
	widescreen panels, where native video modes don't have the 4:3 aspect
	ratio, which is what most BIOS-es are limited to.
	- Adjusting the refresh rate is only possible with a VBE 3.0 compliant
	Video BIOS. Note that many nVidia Video BIOS-es claim to be VBE 3.0
	compliant, while they simply ignore any refresh rate settings.

	3. Configuration
	----------------

	uvesafb can be compiled either as a module, or directly into the kernel.
	In both cases it supports the same set of configuration options, which
	are either given on the kernel command line or as module parameters, e.g.:

	video=uvesafb:1024x768-32,mtrr:3,ywrap (compiled into the kernel)

	# modprobe uvesafb mode_option=1024x768-32 mtrr=3 scroll=ywrap (module)

	Accepted options:

	ypan Enable display panning using the VESA protected mode
	interface. The visible screen is just a window of the
	video memory, console scrolling is done by changing the
	start of the window. This option is available on x86
	only and is the default option on that architecture.

	ywrap Same as ypan, but assumes your gfx board can wrap-around
	the video memory (i.e. starts reading from top if it
	reaches the end of video memory). Faster than ypan.
	Available on x86 only.

	redraw Scroll by redrawing the affected part of the screen, this
	is the default on non-x86.

	(If you're using uvesafb as a module, the above three options are
	used a parameter of the scroll option, e.g. scroll=ypan.)

	vgapal Use the standard VGA registers for palette changes.

	pmipal Use the protected mode interface for palette changes.
	This is the default if the protected mode interface is
	available. Available on x86 only.

	mtrr:n Setup memory type range registers for the framebuffer
	where n:
	0 - disabled (equivalent to nomtrr)
	3 - write-combining (default)

	Values other than 0 and 3 will result in a warning and will be
	treated just like 3.

	nomtrr Do not use memory type range registers.

	vremap:n
	Remap 'n' MiB of video RAM. If 0 or not specified, remap memory
	according to video mode.

	vtotal:n
	If the video BIOS of your card incorrectly determines the total
	amount of video RAM, use this option to override the BIOS (in MiB).

	<mode> The mode you want to set, in the standard modedb format. Refer to
	modedb.txt for a detailed description. When uvesafb is compiled as
	a module, the mode string should be provided as a value of the
	'mode_option' option.

	vbemode:x
	Force the use of VBE mode x. The mode will only be set if it's
	found in the VBE-provided list of supported modes.
	NOTE: The mode number 'x' should be specified in VESA mode number
	notation, not the Linux kernel one (eg. 257 instead of 769).
	HINT: If you use this option because normal <mode> parameter does
	not work for you and you use a X server, you'll probably want to
	set the 'nocrtc' option to ensure that the video mode is properly
	restored after console <-> X switches.

	nocrtc Do not use CRTC timings while setting the video mode. This option
	has any effect only if the Video BIOS is VBE 3.0 compliant. Use it
	if you have problems with modes set the standard way. Note that
	using this option implies that any refresh rate adjustments will
	be ignored and the refresh rate will stay at your BIOS default (60 Hz).

	noedid Do not try to fetch and use EDID-provided modes.

	noblank Disable hardware blanking.

	v86d:path
	Set path to the v86d executable. This option is only available as
	a module parameter, and not as a part of the video= string. If you
	need to use it and have uvesafb built into the kernel, use
	uvesafb.v86d="path".

	Additionally, the following parameters may be provided. They all override the
	EDID-provided values and BIOS defaults. Refer to your monitor's specs to get
	the correct values for maxhf, maxvf and maxclk for your hardware.

	maxhf:n Maximum horizontal frequency (in kHz).
	maxvf:n Maximum vertical frequency (in Hz).
	maxclk:n Maximum pixel clock (in MHz).

	4. The sysfs interface
	----------------------

	uvesafb provides several sysfs nodes for configurable parameters and
	additional information.

	Driver attributes:

	/sys/bus/platform/drivers/uvesafb
	- v86d (default: /sbin/v86d)
	Path to the v86d executable. v86d is started by uvesafb
	if an instance of the daemon isn't already running.

	Device attributes:

	/sys/bus/platform/drivers/uvesafb/uvesafb.0
	- nocrtc
	Use the default refresh rate (60 Hz) if set to 1.

	- oem_product_name
	- oem_product_rev
	- oem_string
	- oem_vendor
	Information about the card and its maker.

	- vbe_modes
	A list of video modes supported by the Video BIOS along with their
	VBE mode numbers in hex.

	- vbe_version
	A BCD value indicating the implemented VBE standard.

	5. Miscellaneous
	----------------

	Uvesafb will set a video mode with the default refresh rate and timings
	from the Video BIOS if you set pixclock to 0 in fb_var_screeninfo.


	--
	Michal Januszewski <spock@gentoo.org>
	Last updated: 2009-03-30

	Documentation of the uvesafb options is loosely based on vesafb.txt.