Documentation/cpu-freq/cpu-drivers.txt - linux-imx - Git at Google

      CPU frequency and voltage scaling code in the Linux(TM) kernel


 		         L i n u x    C P U F r e q

 			   C P U   D r i v e r s

 		       - information for developers -


 		    Dominik Brodowski  <linux@brodo.de>
 		Rafael J. Wysocki <rafael.j.wysocki@intel.com>
 		   Viresh Kumar <viresh.kumar@linaro.org>


    Clock scaling allows you to change the clock speed of the CPUs on the
     fly. This is a nice method to save battery power, because the lower
             the clock speed, the less power the CPU consumes.


 Contents:
 ---------
 1.   What To Do?
 1.1  Initialization
 1.2  Per-CPU Initialization
 1.3  verify
 1.4  target/target_index or setpolicy?
 1.5  target/target_index
 1.6  setpolicy
 1.7  get_intermediate and target_intermediate
 2.   Frequency Table Helpers


 1. What To Do?
 ==============

 So, you just got a brand-new CPU / chipset with datasheets and want to
 add cpufreq support for this CPU / chipset? Great. Here are some hints
 on what is necessary:


 1.1 Initialization
 ------------------

 First of all, in an __initcall level 7 (module_init()) or later
 function check whether this kernel runs on the right CPU and the right
 chipset. If so, register a struct cpufreq_driver with the CPUfreq core
 using cpufreq_register_driver()

 What shall this struct cpufreq_driver contain?

  .name - The name of this driver.

  .init - A pointer to the per-policy initialization function.

  .verify - A pointer to a "verification" function.

  .setpolicy _or_ .fast_switch _or_ .target _or_ .target_index - See
  below on the differences.

 And optionally

  .flags - Hints for the cpufreq core.

  .driver_data - cpufreq driver specific data.

  .resolve_freq - Returns the most appropriate frequency for a target
  frequency. Doesn't change the frequency though.

  .get_intermediate and target_intermediate - Used to switch to stable
  frequency while changing CPU frequency.

  .get - Returns current frequency of the CPU.

  .bios_limit - Returns HW/BIOS max frequency limitations for the CPU.

  .exit - A pointer to a per-policy cleanup function called during
  CPU_POST_DEAD phase of cpu hotplug process.

  .stop_cpu - A pointer to a per-policy stop function called during
  CPU_DOWN_PREPARE phase of cpu hotplug process.

  .suspend - A pointer to a per-policy suspend function which is called
  with interrupts disabled and _after_ the governor is stopped for the
  policy.

  .resume - A pointer to a per-policy resume function which is called
  with interrupts disabled and _before_ the governor is started again.

  .ready - A pointer to a per-policy ready function which is called after
  the policy is fully initialized.

  .attr - A pointer to a NULL-terminated list of "struct freq_attr" which
  allow to export values to sysfs.

  .boost_enabled - If set, boost frequencies are enabled.

  .set_boost - A pointer to a per-policy function to enable/disable boost
  frequencies.


 1.2 Per-CPU Initialization
 --------------------------

 Whenever a new CPU is registered with the device model, or after the
 cpufreq driver registers itself, the per-policy initialization function
 cpufreq_driver.init is called if no cpufreq policy existed for the CPU.
 Note that the .init() and .exit() routines are called only once for the
 policy and not for each CPU managed by the policy. It takes a struct
 cpufreq_policy *policy as argument. What to do now?

 If necessary, activate the CPUfreq support on your CPU.

 Then, the driver must fill in the following values:

 policy->cpuinfo.min_freq _and_
 policy->cpuinfo.max_freq -	the minimum and maximum frequency
 				(in kHz) which is supported by
 				this CPU
 policy->cpuinfo.transition_latency   the time it takes on this CPU to
 				switch between two frequencies in
 				nanoseconds (if appropriate, else
 				specify CPUFREQ_ETERNAL)

 policy->cur			The current operating frequency of
 				this CPU (if appropriate)
 policy->min,
 policy->max,
 policy->policy and, if necessary,
 policy->governor		must contain the "default policy" for
 				this CPU. A few moments later,
 				cpufreq_driver.verify and either
 				cpufreq_driver.setpolicy or
 				cpufreq_driver.target/target_index is called
 				with these values.
 policy->cpus			Update this with the masks of the
 				(online + offline) CPUs that do DVFS
 				along with this CPU (i.e.  that share
 				clock/voltage rails with it).

 For setting some of these values (cpuinfo.min[max]_freq, policy->min[max]), the
 frequency table helpers might be helpful. See the section 2 for more information
 on them.


 1.3 verify
 ----------

 When the user decides a new policy (consisting of
 "policy,governor,min,max") shall be set, this policy must be validated
 so that incompatible values can be corrected. For verifying these
 values cpufreq_verify_within_limits(struct cpufreq_policy *policy,
 unsigned int min_freq, unsigned int max_freq) function might be helpful.
 See section 2 for details on frequency table helpers.

 You need to make sure that at least one valid frequency (or operating
 range) is within policy->min and policy->max. If necessary, increase
 policy->max first, and only if this is no solution, decrease policy->min.


 1.4 target or target_index or setpolicy or fast_switch?
 -------------------------------------------------------

 Most cpufreq drivers or even most cpu frequency scaling algorithms
 only allow the CPU frequency to be set to predefined fixed values. For
 these, you use the ->target(), ->target_index() or ->fast_switch()
 callbacks.

 Some cpufreq capable processors switch the frequency between certain
 limits on their own. These shall use the ->setpolicy() callback.


 1.5. target/target_index
 ------------------------

 The target_index call has two arguments: struct cpufreq_policy *policy,
 and unsigned int index (into the exposed frequency table).

 The CPUfreq driver must set the new frequency when called here. The
 actual frequency must be determined by freq_table[index].frequency.

 It should always restore to earlier frequency (i.e. policy->restore_freq) in
 case of errors, even if we switched to intermediate frequency earlier.

 Deprecated:
 ----------
 The target call has three arguments: struct cpufreq_policy *policy,
 unsigned int target_frequency, unsigned int relation.

 The CPUfreq driver must set the new frequency when called here. The
 actual frequency must be determined using the following rules:

 - keep close to "target_freq"
 - policy->min <= new_freq <= policy->max (THIS MUST BE VALID!!!)
 - if relation==CPUFREQ_REL_L, try to select a new_freq higher than or equal
   target_freq. ("L for lowest, but no lower than")
 - if relation==CPUFREQ_REL_H, try to select a new_freq lower than or equal
   target_freq. ("H for highest, but no higher than")

 Here again the frequency table helper might assist you - see section 2
 for details.

 1.6. fast_switch
 ----------------

 This function is used for frequency switching from scheduler's context.
 Not all drivers are expected to implement it, as sleeping from within
 this callback isn't allowed. This callback must be highly optimized to
 do switching as fast as possible.

 This function has two arguments: struct cpufreq_policy *policy and
 unsigned int target_frequency.


 1.7 setpolicy
 -------------

 The setpolicy call only takes a struct cpufreq_policy *policy as
 argument. You need to set the lower limit of the in-processor or
 in-chipset dynamic frequency switching to policy->min, the upper limit
 to policy->max, and -if supported- select a performance-oriented
 setting when policy->policy is CPUFREQ_POLICY_PERFORMANCE, and a
 powersaving-oriented setting when CPUFREQ_POLICY_POWERSAVE. Also check
 the reference implementation in drivers/cpufreq/longrun.c

 1.8 get_intermediate and target_intermediate
 --------------------------------------------

 Only for drivers with target_index() and CPUFREQ_ASYNC_NOTIFICATION unset.

 get_intermediate should return a stable intermediate frequency platform wants to
 switch to, and target_intermediate() should set CPU to that frequency, before
 jumping to the frequency corresponding to 'index'. Core will take care of
 sending notifications and driver doesn't have to handle them in
 target_intermediate() or target_index().

 Drivers can return '0' from get_intermediate() in case they don't wish to switch
 to intermediate frequency for some target frequency. In that case core will
 directly call ->target_index().

 NOTE: ->target_index() should restore to policy->restore_freq in case of
 failures as core would send notifications for that.


 2. Frequency Table Helpers
 ==========================

 As most cpufreq processors only allow for being set to a few specific
 frequencies, a "frequency table" with some functions might assist in
 some work of the processor driver. Such a "frequency table" consists of
 an array of struct cpufreq_frequency_table entries, with driver specific
 values in "driver_data", the corresponding frequency in "frequency" and
 flags set. At the end of the table, you need to add a
 cpufreq_frequency_table entry with frequency set to CPUFREQ_TABLE_END.
 And if you want to skip one entry in the table, set the frequency to
 CPUFREQ_ENTRY_INVALID. The entries don't need to be in sorted in any
 particular order, but if they are cpufreq core will do DVFS a bit
 quickly for them as search for best match is faster.

 By calling cpufreq_table_validate_and_show(), the cpuinfo.min_freq and
 cpuinfo.max_freq values are detected, and policy->min and policy->max
 are set to the same values. This is helpful for the per-CPU
 initialization stage.

 cpufreq_frequency_table_verify() assures that at least one valid
 frequency is within policy->min and policy->max, and all other criteria
 are met. This is helpful for the ->verify call.

 cpufreq_frequency_table_target() is the corresponding frequency table
 helper for the ->target stage. Just pass the values to this function,
 and this function returns the of the frequency table entry which
 contains the frequency the CPU shall be set to.

 The following macros can be used as iterators over cpufreq_frequency_table:

 cpufreq_for_each_entry(pos, table) - iterates over all entries of frequency
 table.

 cpufreq_for_each_valid_entry(pos, table) - iterates over all entries,
 excluding CPUFREQ_ENTRY_INVALID frequencies.
 Use arguments "pos" - a cpufreq_frequency_table * as a loop cursor and
 "table" - the cpufreq_frequency_table * you want to iterate over.

 For example:

 	struct cpufreq_frequency_table *pos, *driver_freq_table;

 	cpufreq_for_each_entry(pos, driver_freq_table) {
 		/* Do something with pos */
 		pos->frequency = ...
 	}
	CPU frequency and voltage scaling code in the Linux(TM) kernel


	L i n u x C P U F r e q

	C P U D r i v e r s

	- information for developers -


	Dominik Brodowski <linux@brodo.de>
	Rafael J. Wysocki <rafael.j.wysocki@intel.com>
	Viresh Kumar <viresh.kumar@linaro.org>



	Clock scaling allows you to change the clock speed of the CPUs on the
	fly. This is a nice method to save battery power, because the lower
	the clock speed, the less power the CPU consumes.


	Contents:
	---------
	1. What To Do?
	1.1 Initialization
	1.2 Per-CPU Initialization
	1.3 verify
	1.4 target/target_index or setpolicy?
	1.5 target/target_index
	1.6 setpolicy
	1.7 get_intermediate and target_intermediate
	2. Frequency Table Helpers



	1. What To Do?
	==============

	So, you just got a brand-new CPU / chipset with datasheets and want to
	add cpufreq support for this CPU / chipset? Great. Here are some hints
	on what is necessary:


	1.1 Initialization
	------------------

	First of all, in an __initcall level 7 (module_init()) or later
	function check whether this kernel runs on the right CPU and the right
	chipset. If so, register a struct cpufreq_driver with the CPUfreq core
	using cpufreq_register_driver()

	What shall this struct cpufreq_driver contain?

	.name - The name of this driver.

	.init - A pointer to the per-policy initialization function.

	.verify - A pointer to a "verification" function.

	.setpolicy _or_ .fast_switch _or_ .target _or_ .target_index - See
	below on the differences.

	And optionally

	.flags - Hints for the cpufreq core.

	.driver_data - cpufreq driver specific data.

	.resolve_freq - Returns the most appropriate frequency for a target
	frequency. Doesn't change the frequency though.

	.get_intermediate and target_intermediate - Used to switch to stable
	frequency while changing CPU frequency.

	.get - Returns current frequency of the CPU.

	.bios_limit - Returns HW/BIOS max frequency limitations for the CPU.

	.exit - A pointer to a per-policy cleanup function called during
	CPU_POST_DEAD phase of cpu hotplug process.

	.stop_cpu - A pointer to a per-policy stop function called during
	CPU_DOWN_PREPARE phase of cpu hotplug process.

	.suspend - A pointer to a per-policy suspend function which is called
	with interrupts disabled and _after_ the governor is stopped for the
	policy.

	.resume - A pointer to a per-policy resume function which is called
	with interrupts disabled and _before_ the governor is started again.

	.ready - A pointer to a per-policy ready function which is called after
	the policy is fully initialized.

	.attr - A pointer to a NULL-terminated list of "struct freq_attr" which
	allow to export values to sysfs.

	.boost_enabled - If set, boost frequencies are enabled.

	.set_boost - A pointer to a per-policy function to enable/disable boost
	frequencies.


	1.2 Per-CPU Initialization
	--------------------------

	Whenever a new CPU is registered with the device model, or after the
	cpufreq driver registers itself, the per-policy initialization function
	cpufreq_driver.init is called if no cpufreq policy existed for the CPU.
	Note that the .init() and .exit() routines are called only once for the
	policy and not for each CPU managed by the policy. It takes a struct
	cpufreq_policy *policy as argument. What to do now?

	If necessary, activate the CPUfreq support on your CPU.

	Then, the driver must fill in the following values:

	policy->cpuinfo.min_freq _and_
	policy->cpuinfo.max_freq - the minimum and maximum frequency
	(in kHz) which is supported by
	this CPU
	policy->cpuinfo.transition_latency the time it takes on this CPU to
	switch between two frequencies in
	nanoseconds (if appropriate, else
	specify CPUFREQ_ETERNAL)

	policy->cur The current operating frequency of
	this CPU (if appropriate)
	policy->min,
	policy->max,
	policy->policy and, if necessary,
	policy->governor must contain the "default policy" for
	this CPU. A few moments later,
	cpufreq_driver.verify and either
	cpufreq_driver.setpolicy or
	cpufreq_driver.target/target_index is called
	with these values.
	policy->cpus Update this with the masks of the
	(online + offline) CPUs that do DVFS
	along with this CPU (i.e. that share
	clock/voltage rails with it).

	For setting some of these values (cpuinfo.min[max]_freq, policy->min[max]), the
	frequency table helpers might be helpful. See the section 2 for more information
	on them.


	1.3 verify
	----------

	When the user decides a new policy (consisting of
	"policy,governor,min,max") shall be set, this policy must be validated
	so that incompatible values can be corrected. For verifying these
	values cpufreq_verify_within_limits(struct cpufreq_policy *policy,
	unsigned int min_freq, unsigned int max_freq) function might be helpful.
	See section 2 for details on frequency table helpers.

	You need to make sure that at least one valid frequency (or operating
	range) is within policy->min and policy->max. If necessary, increase
	policy->max first, and only if this is no solution, decrease policy->min.


	1.4 target or target_index or setpolicy or fast_switch?
	-------------------------------------------------------

	Most cpufreq drivers or even most cpu frequency scaling algorithms
	only allow the CPU frequency to be set to predefined fixed values. For
	these, you use the ->target(), ->target_index() or ->fast_switch()
	callbacks.

	Some cpufreq capable processors switch the frequency between certain
	limits on their own. These shall use the ->setpolicy() callback.


	1.5. target/target_index
	------------------------

	The target_index call has two arguments: struct cpufreq_policy *policy,
	and unsigned int index (into the exposed frequency table).

	The CPUfreq driver must set the new frequency when called here. The
	actual frequency must be determined by freq_table[index].frequency.

	It should always restore to earlier frequency (i.e. policy->restore_freq) in
	case of errors, even if we switched to intermediate frequency earlier.

	Deprecated:
	----------
	The target call has three arguments: struct cpufreq_policy *policy,
	unsigned int target_frequency, unsigned int relation.

	The CPUfreq driver must set the new frequency when called here. The
	actual frequency must be determined using the following rules:

	- keep close to "target_freq"
	- policy->min <= new_freq <= policy->max (THIS MUST BE VALID!!!)
	- if relation==CPUFREQ_REL_L, try to select a new_freq higher than or equal
	target_freq. ("L for lowest, but no lower than")
	- if relation==CPUFREQ_REL_H, try to select a new_freq lower than or equal
	target_freq. ("H for highest, but no higher than")

	Here again the frequency table helper might assist you - see section 2
	for details.

	1.6. fast_switch
	----------------

	This function is used for frequency switching from scheduler's context.
	Not all drivers are expected to implement it, as sleeping from within
	this callback isn't allowed. This callback must be highly optimized to
	do switching as fast as possible.

	This function has two arguments: struct cpufreq_policy *policy and
	unsigned int target_frequency.


	1.7 setpolicy
	-------------

	The setpolicy call only takes a struct cpufreq_policy *policy as
	argument. You need to set the lower limit of the in-processor or
	in-chipset dynamic frequency switching to policy->min, the upper limit
	to policy->max, and -if supported- select a performance-oriented
	setting when policy->policy is CPUFREQ_POLICY_PERFORMANCE, and a
	powersaving-oriented setting when CPUFREQ_POLICY_POWERSAVE. Also check
	the reference implementation in drivers/cpufreq/longrun.c

	1.8 get_intermediate and target_intermediate
	--------------------------------------------

	Only for drivers with target_index() and CPUFREQ_ASYNC_NOTIFICATION unset.

	get_intermediate should return a stable intermediate frequency platform wants to
	switch to, and target_intermediate() should set CPU to that frequency, before
	jumping to the frequency corresponding to 'index'. Core will take care of
	sending notifications and driver doesn't have to handle them in
	target_intermediate() or target_index().

	Drivers can return '0' from get_intermediate() in case they don't wish to switch
	to intermediate frequency for some target frequency. In that case core will
	directly call ->target_index().

	NOTE: ->target_index() should restore to policy->restore_freq in case of
	failures as core would send notifications for that.


	2. Frequency Table Helpers
	==========================

	As most cpufreq processors only allow for being set to a few specific
	frequencies, a "frequency table" with some functions might assist in
	some work of the processor driver. Such a "frequency table" consists of
	an array of struct cpufreq_frequency_table entries, with driver specific
	values in "driver_data", the corresponding frequency in "frequency" and
	flags set. At the end of the table, you need to add a
	cpufreq_frequency_table entry with frequency set to CPUFREQ_TABLE_END.
	And if you want to skip one entry in the table, set the frequency to
	CPUFREQ_ENTRY_INVALID. The entries don't need to be in sorted in any
	particular order, but if they are cpufreq core will do DVFS a bit
	quickly for them as search for best match is faster.

	By calling cpufreq_table_validate_and_show(), the cpuinfo.min_freq and
	cpuinfo.max_freq values are detected, and policy->min and policy->max
	are set to the same values. This is helpful for the per-CPU
	initialization stage.

	cpufreq_frequency_table_verify() assures that at least one valid
	frequency is within policy->min and policy->max, and all other criteria
	are met. This is helpful for the ->verify call.

	cpufreq_frequency_table_target() is the corresponding frequency table
	helper for the ->target stage. Just pass the values to this function,
	and this function returns the of the frequency table entry which
	contains the frequency the CPU shall be set to.

	The following macros can be used as iterators over cpufreq_frequency_table:

	cpufreq_for_each_entry(pos, table) - iterates over all entries of frequency
	table.

	cpufreq_for_each_valid_entry(pos, table) - iterates over all entries,
	excluding CPUFREQ_ENTRY_INVALID frequencies.
	Use arguments "pos" - a cpufreq_frequency_table * as a loop cursor and
	"table" - the cpufreq_frequency_table * you want to iterate over.

	For example:

	struct cpufreq_frequency_table pos, driver_freq_table;

	cpufreq_for_each_entry(pos, driver_freq_table) {
	/* Do something with pos */
	pos->frequency = ...
	}