Re: [PATCH] counter: add COUNTER_FUNCTION_DISABLE for energy saving

[David Lechner <david@lechnology.com>]

On 11/25/24 5:02 PM, Rafael V. Volkmer wrote:
> Add `COUNTER_FUNCTION_DISABLE` to the `counter_function` enum in the
> counter API. This allows file operations to signal other drivers to
> disable hardware resources, reducing energy consumption in
> power-sensitive scenarios.
> 
> Previously, tests with Texas Instruments' eQEP modules revealed that
> hardware resources remained active unless the driver was removed,
> offering no user command to stop the count. This approach exposed the
> fragility of these resources.
> 
> To address this, introduce a new enum option in the counter API to
> receive commands for disabling the hardware. This ensures the hardware
> enters an idle, power-saving state when not in use.

How does this work without an additional patch to modify the TI eQEP
counter driver to handle this new enum value? For example, I would
expect that this enum value would be added to ti_eqep_position_functions
and case statements added in ti_eqep_function_read(),
ti_eqep_function_write() and ti_eqep_action_read() to handle the new
option.
> 
> Signed-off-by: Rafael V. Volkmer <rafael.v.volkmer@gmail.com>
> ---
>  include/uapi/linux/counter.h | 1 +
>  1 file changed, 1 insertion(+)
> 
> diff --git a/include/uapi/linux/counter.h b/include/uapi/linux/counter.h
> index 008a691c254b..6f9a6ef878cf 100644
> --- a/include/uapi/linux/counter.h
> +++ b/include/uapi/linux/counter.h
> @@ -145,6 +145,7 @@ enum counter_function {
>  	COUNTER_FUNCTION_QUADRATURE_X2_A,
>  	COUNTER_FUNCTION_QUADRATURE_X2_B,
>  	COUNTER_FUNCTION_QUADRATURE_X4,
> +	COUNTER_FUNCTION_DISABLE,
>  };
>  
>  /* Signal values */