Qualcomm Finally Adds Snapdragon X Elite Firmware to Linux, but the Wait Was Unbearable

In a move that will bring a collective sigh of relief to the Linux community, Qualcomm has finally upstreamed critical firmware for its Snapdragon X Elite processor. The firmware in question? The long-awaited QUPv3 firmware for the Snapdragon X1 Elite “x1e80100” SoC, which has now been merged into the linux-firmware.git repository.

For those unfamiliar, the Snapdragon X Elite has been a beacon of hope for ARM-based computing on Linux. However, its journey has been marred by one significant hurdle: the lack of upstreamed firmware. Until now, users have had to resort to extracting firmware files from a Windows 11 on ARM partition—a process that was not only cumbersome but also alienating for Linux enthusiasts who value open-source principles.

The Firmware Fiasco: A Year and a Half of Waiting

The Snapdragon X Elite made its debut over a year and a half ago, promising to revolutionize ARM-based computing with its cutting-edge performance and efficiency. Yet, despite the hype, Linux users have been left in the lurch, grappling with the lack of essential firmware support. This has been particularly frustrating given that Qualcomm has already announced the Snapdragon X2 series, leaving X Elite users feeling like they’ve been left behind.

The process of extracting firmware from Windows partitions using tools like qcom-firmware-extract has been a stopgap solution at best. While it has made life marginally easier, it’s far from ideal. The fact that it took this long for Qualcomm to upstream the necessary firmware is a testament to the company’s sluggish approach to open-source collaboration.

What’s New: QUPv3 Firmware Joins linux-firmware.git

The latest development sees the qcom/x1e80100/qupv3fw.elf binary added to the linux-firmware.git repository. This firmware is crucial for the Qualcomm Universal Peripheral (QUP) hardware, which manages serial interfaces on the SoC, including SPI, I2C/I3C, and UART. In simpler terms, this firmware is essential for the proper functioning of various hardware components, making its inclusion in the upstream repository a significant win for Linux users.

The Bigger Picture: Still Work to Be Done

While this is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, it’s important to note that this is just one piece of the puzzle. There are still several other firmware files that need to be upstreamed to fully unlock the potential of the Snapdragon X Elite on Linux. The lack of these files continues to hamper the overall user experience, leaving many to wonder why Qualcomm hasn’t prioritized this sooner.

Moreover, the fact that it took over a year and a half for this firmware to be upstreamed raises questions about Qualcomm’s commitment to the open-source community. With the Snapdragon X2 series already on the horizon, one can’t help but wonder if X Elite users will continue to be treated as second-class citizens.

What This Means for the Future

The inclusion of QUPv3 firmware in linux-firmware.git is a positive sign, but it’s also a reminder of how far we still have to go. For Linux to truly thrive on ARM-based devices like the Snapdragon X Elite, companies like Qualcomm need to prioritize open-source collaboration. This means not only upstreaming firmware but also ensuring that it’s done in a timely manner.

As the Linux community continues to push for better support on ARM devices, it’s crucial that hardware manufacturers step up to the plate. The Snapdragon X Elite has the potential to be a game-changer, but only if it’s given the support it deserves.

Conclusion

The addition of QUPv3 firmware to linux-firmware.git is a welcome development, but it’s also a stark reminder of the challenges that still lie ahead. For now, Linux users can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that one less hurdle stands in their way. But as we look to the future, it’s clear that there’s still much work to be done.

Here’s hoping that Qualcomm—and other hardware manufacturers—take note and prioritize open-source collaboration moving forward. After all, the future of ARM-based computing on Linux depends on it.

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• SPI, I2C, UART
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