Intel Submits USB4 Support to the Linux Kernel

[AleksandarK]

As we are nearing the launch of USB4, which will feature Thunderbolt 3 like speeds of up to 40 Gbps, PCIe and DisplayPort support within USB-C form factor, there are already drivers showing up to support the new standard and ensure the launch and transition to the newest USB version will go smoothly.

According to the finds of Phoronix, Intel's open-source engineers have been working on a patch to support the new standard in the Linux kernel. Being based on Thunderbolt 3, the bring-up of USB4 isn't very difficult as it allows for a lot of code reuse, making things easier for kernel developers. Only 22 patches were submitted that resulted in under 4,000 lines of new code in total. For now, the support is in the stage of a pull request, so it should go mainstream very soon, most likely with the release of Linux kernel 5.5, if other features like power management are worked out soon.


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[ncrs]

The proper name is: USB4 and not "USB 4.0" as stated in the official announcment by USB-IF.

 

[AleksandarK]

The proper name is: USB4 and not "USB 4.0" as stated in the official announcment by USB-IF.

Corrected! Thanks

 

[Sabishii Hito]

ASUS has no excuse now. Way too many of their expensive gaming laptops omit Thunderbolt 3 functionality on their USB-C ports.

 

[D.Crepit]

Now this is progress. Wonder if they can fix existing glitches in the Linux USB stack
while they're at it???

Just love when they can't see a device that they can see... or the mouse just hangs
while the driver figures out its been sent an interrupt to restart.

 

[somethinggeneric]

The proper name is: USB4 and not "USB 4.0" as stated in the official announcment by USB-IF.

Knowing USB-IF I'm surprised it isnt USB 3.2 x 2 + 6

 

[danbert2000]

"For now, the support is in the stage of a pull request, so it should go mainstream very soon"

Hah. If only that's how pull requests worked...

 

[windwhirl]

"For now, the support is in the stage of a pull request, so it should go mainstream very soon"

Hah. If only that's how pull requests worked...

Not my field, but I imagine things would break all the time, no?