[Pkg-alsa-devel] Bug#614076: No Hope for the CS4630

[Karsten Malcher]

On Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:57:22 +0100, Elimar Riesebieter <riesebie at lxtec.de>
wrote:

>> Is the "OSS/free emulation" the BIOS part?
> 
> No, this is an emulation for the OpenSoundSystem.

Then the central problem keeps remaining - the BIOS / Firmware
 
>>
http://www.alsa-project.org/main/index.php/Matrix:Module-cs46xx#Autoloading_OSS.2Ffree_emulation
>> 
>> What is the difference using the "original" BIOS?
> 
> Which BIOS do you mean?

I mean the firmware or bios of the soundcard (cs46xx_image.h).

That's where all the problems started.
The first problem was that the kernel driver was missing the firmware file
(dmesg).
This was obviously included previous in ALSA.
Then i compiled one as described in the Debian Wiki.
But now the IEC859 support is missing.

The firmware file is the one with the missing right for redistribution.

Here the datasheet of the CS4630 chip:
http://www.datasheetcatalog.org/datasheet/Cirrus_Logic/mXxtsxu.pdf
It has a 420 MIPs DSP Architecture with internal memory.

---------------- Schnipp ----------------
"Separate RAM memories are included on-chip for
the SP program code (PROGRAM RAM), param-
eter data (PARAMETER RAM), and audio sample
data (SAMPLE RAM). Two ROM memories store
coefficients for sample rate conversion and audio
decompression algorithms (COEFFICIENT ROM)
and common algorithm code (PROGRAM ROM).
The RAM-based DSP architecture of the CS4630
ensures maximum system flexibility. The software
function/feature mix can be adapted to meet the re-
quirements of a variety of different applications,
such as DirectX™ games, DVD movie playback, or
DOS applications. This RAM-based architecture
also provides a means for future system upgrades,
allowing the addition of new or upgraded function-
ality through software updates."
---------------- Schnapp ----------------

I think THAT's the reason why Cirrus will never give the sources for the
chip!
In the firmware is defined much of the functionality of the chip.

I did have the same problems with the sources for the Fritz!Card.
AVM will not give the sources because the functions of the card are
limited in it.
More functions are sold with other products for much more money with the
same chips.
E.g. you can only plugin one Fritz!Card into one computer. It's only
limited by the driver.


See also here (german description of the DSP):
http://www.tomshardware.de/klangprobe-fuenf-soundkarten-geben-ihr-debuet,testberichte-354-3.html


> For further support please discuss this in a Debian User Mailing
> list.

No - i think this is still the central theme for this reported bug.
And it is still unsolved up to now.
The problems even get's more and more encircled.

Solving the problems for this chip would solve the problems for all
crystal chips.

> Elimar

Karsten
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