Request for an update for RadxaCM5-uConsole Images

uConsole
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Recently I recieved the uConsole and a Radaxa CM5 for it (16/128GB), with the Hackergadgets upgrade and an I/O board for the Radaxa on their way.

I’ve taken some time for a couple of days of untangling the state of the art for this setup in the forums, read every post and replies and downloaded several OS images, but since we’re a bit disorganized I have a little uncertainty.

I’m just a backend dev and don’t know much about electronics, but from what I’ve read the Radxa-uConsole combo has been used very successfully and satisfyingly.
Here’s what I know as the latest and my questions on it for anyone could provide on any of them, correct/update me if I’m wrong:

1. There is a new Display for the uConsole that required driver updates, which rendered much of the already offered images outdated.
I found some replies referencing top contributor @Rex’s updates but I think these were for Raspberry/Clockwork chips, not Radxa.

I’m used to being able to follow a single git repository but the files I’m tracing are on Google and Mega drives that are over a year old and don’t match many of the update-requiring timings.
I’ve looked into a couple git repositories of the community but these are not really worked on or updated since at least about a year or even 2 years ago. Everything seems to be done or uploded on MEGA or Google, and some links are now dead.

So first I hope contributors don’t mind me asking them to point to where their latest Radxa-purposed debian-based OS images and work permanently are.

2. I’ve read that to flash the image on the Radaxa eMMC the I/O board will be required which I would like to spare, even if I’ve covered it, just to understand how convenient/accessible the device is or what it would take to make it more so.

Couldn’t one flash it booting from an SD or USB as in a conventional computer? If not why?

3. I know the Radxa CM5 has no integrated wifi/bluetooth like the Raspberry Compute Modules. I will be using an external TP-Link nano USB, I’m hoping drivers for it won’t be a lot of friction.

However the uConsole comes with an antenna for WiFi. Since the Raspberry Compute Modules already have wireless integrations, I’m wondering what case the uConsole’s antenna would be of use for, is it for Clockwork’s Compute Modules? Can I spare it?

Lastly, I’ve read on the status for several users on peripherals other than the display; headphone jack, clockwork’s 4G module, etc.
I know all peripherals have worked on older images but I assume some don’t work on newer ones, like the display.

I’d very much appreciate an update for the status of modules and features like this in case one of them may not work for any one’s contributor’s work so I can anticipate and learn where to look for drivers and updates or for the latest ingredients for an updated image.

Thank you for anyone who takes a minute into this post, I like getting obsessed about these things, start learning and hopefully bring in my own adaptations in the future. “Matthew 9:37”

Thanks again, have a good time.

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My current image for the Radxa CM5 only works for the first two screen revisions, not the latest. I’ve been meaning to update the kernel to the latest driver and put out a new image but ive been real busy. The little free time I have is being eaten up by other projects.

You could take the latest uConsole panel driver from my RPi kernel and replace the current one in my radxa kernel and recompile and add it to my current radxa image. you shouldn’t need to worry about the dtoverlays as I already have them setup in my current image.

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Screw it, I’m going to push my other project aside I’ll try to get a new image out tonight with an updated panel driver for you to test. I don’t have a new panel so I’m not 100% sure if it’s going to work.

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LOL, you are a nerd’s nerd, sir.

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That’s incredible Thank You, I’ll be refreshing the site.

I understand your limitations but that’s what’s cool about open source, I’ll definitely do what I can to scaffold your efforts soon.

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Compiling the updated kernel now.

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Ran into some problems the 6.1 kernel would not compile the same driver we not have for kernel 6.12 on the RPi side. So I’m trying to bump the kernel up to 7.0. radxa kernel support is lacking though so it’s taking a bit longer.

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i’ve sent an image link to someone for testing before i release it for the new screen.

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You’re simply the best!

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Hey Rex, will the new kernel possibly feature mt7921 drivers for the hackergadgets Wi-Fi dongle?

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no but i will enable that driver if the image i sent to test works

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I made an OS directory to try to make getting started with the uConsole a little easier. Later kernels will have been released more recently. It recommends you use Rex’s OS images anyway.

The above is quoting my hardware directory which I hope can be a useful starting point for learning more about the uConsole.

No other peripherals have the same compatibility issues as the screens as no other peripheral has changed models over the manufacture run. Everything should be compatible at least with Rex’s images.

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Send me the image, i will test it.