Commit e463c063 authored by Mauro Carvalho Chehab's avatar Mauro Carvalho Chehab Committed by Jonathan Corbet

usb/URB.txt: convert to ReST and update it

The URB doc describes the Kernel mechanism that do USB transfers.
While the functions are already described at urb.h, there are a
number of concepts and theory that are important for USB driver
developers.

Convert it to ReST and use C ref links to point to the places
at usb.h where each function and struct is located.

A few of those descriptions were incomplete. While here, update
to reflect the current API status.
Signed-off-by: default avatarMauro Carvalho Chehab <mchehab@s-opensource.com>
Acked-by: default avatarGreg Kroah-Hartman <gregkh@linuxfoundation.org>
Signed-off-by: default avatarJonathan Corbet <corbet@lwn.net>
parent 32a3bebc
Revised: 2000-Dec-05. USB Request Block (URB)
Again: 2002-Jul-06 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Again: 2005-Sep-19
NOTE: :Revised: 2000-Dec-05
:Again: 2002-Jul-06
:Again: 2005-Sep-19
:Again: 2017-Mar-29
The USB subsystem now has a substantial section in "The Linux Kernel API"
guide (in Documentation/DocBook), generated from the current source
code. This particular documentation file isn't particularly current or
complete; don't rely on it except for a quick overview.
.. note::
1.1. Basic concept or 'What is an URB?' The USB subsystem now has a substantial section at :ref:`usb-hostside-api`
section, generated from the current source code.
This particular documentation file isn't complete and may not be
updated to the last version; don't rely on it except for a quick
overview.
Basic concept or 'What is an URB?'
==================================
The basic idea of the new driver is message passing, the message itself is The basic idea of the new driver is message passing, the message itself is
called USB Request Block, or URB for short. called USB Request Block, or URB for short.
...@@ -19,10 +25,11 @@ called USB Request Block, or URB for short. ...@@ -19,10 +25,11 @@ called USB Request Block, or URB for short.
and deliver the data and status back. and deliver the data and status back.
- Execution of an URB is inherently an asynchronous operation, i.e. the - Execution of an URB is inherently an asynchronous operation, i.e. the
usb_submit_urb(urb) call returns immediately after it has successfully :c:func:`usb_submit_urb` call returns immediately after it has successfully
queued the requested action. queued the requested action.
- Transfers for one URB can be canceled with usb_unlink_urb(urb) at any time. - Transfers for one URB can be canceled with :c:func:`usb_unlink_urb`
at any time.
- Each URB has a completion handler, which is called after the action - Each URB has a completion handler, which is called after the action
has been successfully completed or canceled. The URB also contains a has been successfully completed or canceled. The URB also contains a
...@@ -35,53 +42,55 @@ called USB Request Block, or URB for short. ...@@ -35,53 +42,55 @@ called USB Request Block, or URB for short.
of data to (or from) devices when using periodic transfer modes. of data to (or from) devices when using periodic transfer modes.
1.2. The URB structure The URB structure
=================
Some of the fields in an URB are: Some of the fields in struct :c:type:`urb` are::
struct urb struct urb
{ {
// (IN) device and pipe specify the endpoint queue // (IN) device and pipe specify the endpoint queue
struct usb_device *dev; // pointer to associated USB device struct usb_device *dev; // pointer to associated USB device
unsigned int pipe; // endpoint information unsigned int pipe; // endpoint information
unsigned int transfer_flags; // ISO_ASAP, SHORT_NOT_OK, etc. unsigned int transfer_flags; // URB_ISO_ASAP, URB_SHORT_NOT_OK, etc.
// (IN) all urbs need completion routines // (IN) all urbs need completion routines
void *context; // context for completion routine void *context; // context for completion routine
void (*complete)(struct urb *); // pointer to completion routine usb_complete_t complete; // pointer to completion routine
// (OUT) status after each completion // (OUT) status after each completion
int status; // returned status int status; // returned status
// (IN) buffer used for data transfers // (IN) buffer used for data transfers
void *transfer_buffer; // associated data buffer void *transfer_buffer; // associated data buffer
int transfer_buffer_length; // data buffer length u32 transfer_buffer_length; // data buffer length
int number_of_packets; // size of iso_frame_desc int number_of_packets; // size of iso_frame_desc
// (OUT) sometimes only part of CTRL/BULK/INTR transfer_buffer is used // (OUT) sometimes only part of CTRL/BULK/INTR transfer_buffer is used
int actual_length; // actual data buffer length u32 actual_length; // actual data buffer length
// (IN) setup stage for CTRL (pass a struct usb_ctrlrequest) // (IN) setup stage for CTRL (pass a struct usb_ctrlrequest)
unsigned char* setup_packet; // setup packet (control only) unsigned char *setup_packet; // setup packet (control only)
// Only for PERIODIC transfers (ISO, INTERRUPT) // Only for PERIODIC transfers (ISO, INTERRUPT)
// (IN/OUT) start_frame is set unless ISO_ASAP isn't set // (IN/OUT) start_frame is set unless URB_ISO_ASAP isn't set
int start_frame; // start frame int start_frame; // start frame
int interval; // polling interval int interval; // polling interval
// ISO only: packets are only "best effort"; each can have errors // ISO only: packets are only "best effort"; each can have errors
int error_count; // number of errors int error_count; // number of errors
struct usb_iso_packet_descriptor iso_frame_desc[0]; struct usb_iso_packet_descriptor iso_frame_desc[0];
}; };
Your driver must create the "pipe" value using values from the appropriate Your driver must create the "pipe" value using values from the appropriate
endpoint descriptor in an interface that it's claimed. endpoint descriptor in an interface that it's claimed.
1.3. How to get an URB? How to get an URB?
==================
URBs are allocated with the following call URBs are allocated by calling :c:func:`usb_alloc_urb`::
struct urb *usb_alloc_urb(int isoframes, int mem_flags) struct urb *usb_alloc_urb(int isoframes, int mem_flags)
...@@ -91,7 +100,7 @@ you want to schedule. For CTRL/BULK/INT, use 0. The mem_flags parameter ...@@ -91,7 +100,7 @@ you want to schedule. For CTRL/BULK/INT, use 0. The mem_flags parameter
holds standard memory allocation flags, letting you control (among other holds standard memory allocation flags, letting you control (among other
things) whether the underlying code may block or not. things) whether the underlying code may block or not.
To free an URB, use To free an URB, use :c:func:`usb_free_urb`::
void usb_free_urb(struct urb *urb) void usb_free_urb(struct urb *urb)
...@@ -100,78 +109,84 @@ returned to you in a completion callback. It will automatically be ...@@ -100,78 +109,84 @@ returned to you in a completion callback. It will automatically be
deallocated when it is no longer in use. deallocated when it is no longer in use.
1.4. What has to be filled in? What has to be filled in?
=========================
Depending on the type of transaction, there are some inline functions Depending on the type of transaction, there are some inline functions
defined in <linux/usb.h> to simplify the initialization, such as defined in ``linux/usb.h`` to simplify the initialization, such as
fill_control_urb() and fill_bulk_urb(). In general, they need the usb :c:func:`usb_fill_control_urb`, :c:func:`usb_fill_bulk_urb` and
device pointer, the pipe (usual format from usb.h), the transfer buffer, :c:func:`usb_fill_int_urb`. In general, they need the usb device pointer,
the desired transfer length, the completion handler, and its context. the pipe (usual format from usb.h), the transfer buffer, the desired transfer
Take a look at the some existing drivers to see how they're used. length, the completion handler, and its context. Take a look at the some
existing drivers to see how they're used.
Flags: Flags:
For ISO there are two startup behaviors: Specified start_frame or ASAP.
For ASAP set URB_ISO_ASAP in transfer_flags.
If short packets should NOT be tolerated, set URB_SHORT_NOT_OK in - For ISO there are two startup behaviors: Specified start_frame or ASAP.
- For ASAP set ``URB_ISO_ASAP`` in transfer_flags.
If short packets should NOT be tolerated, set ``URB_SHORT_NOT_OK`` in
transfer_flags. transfer_flags.
1.5. How to submit an URB? How to submit an URB?
=====================
Just call Just call :c:func:`usb_submit_urb`::
int usb_submit_urb(struct urb *urb, int mem_flags) int usb_submit_urb(struct urb *urb, int mem_flags)
The mem_flags parameter, such as SLAB_ATOMIC, controls memory allocation, The ``mem_flags`` parameter, such as ``GFP_ATOMIC``, controls memory
such as whether the lower levels may block when memory is tight. allocation, such as whether the lower levels may block when memory is tight.
It immediately returns, either with status 0 (request queued) or some It immediately returns, either with status 0 (request queued) or some
error code, usually caused by the following: error code, usually caused by the following:
- Out of memory (-ENOMEM) - Out of memory (``-ENOMEM``)
- Unplugged device (-ENODEV) - Unplugged device (``-ENODEV``)
- Stalled endpoint (-EPIPE) - Stalled endpoint (``-EPIPE``)
- Too many queued ISO transfers (-EAGAIN) - Too many queued ISO transfers (``-EAGAIN``)
- Too many requested ISO frames (-EFBIG) - Too many requested ISO frames (``-EFBIG``)
- Invalid INT interval (-EINVAL) - Invalid INT interval (``-EINVAL``)
- More than one packet for INT (-EINVAL) - More than one packet for INT (``-EINVAL``)
After submission, urb->status is -EINPROGRESS; however, you should never After submission, ``urb->status`` is ``-EINPROGRESS``; however, you should
look at that value except in your completion callback. never look at that value except in your completion callback.
For isochronous endpoints, your completion handlers should (re)submit For isochronous endpoints, your completion handlers should (re)submit
URBs to the same endpoint with the ISO_ASAP flag, using multi-buffering, URBs to the same endpoint with the ``URB_ISO_ASAP`` flag, using
to get seamless ISO streaming. multi-buffering, to get seamless ISO streaming.
1.6. How to cancel an already running URB? How to cancel an already running URB?
=====================================
There are two ways to cancel an URB you've submitted but which hasn't There are two ways to cancel an URB you've submitted but which hasn't
been returned to your driver yet. For an asynchronous cancel, call been returned to your driver yet. For an asynchronous cancel, call
:c:func:`usb_unlink_urb`::
int usb_unlink_urb(struct urb *urb) int usb_unlink_urb(struct urb *urb)
It removes the urb from the internal list and frees all allocated It removes the urb from the internal list and frees all allocated
HW descriptors. The status is changed to reflect unlinking. Note HW descriptors. The status is changed to reflect unlinking. Note
that the URB will not normally have finished when usb_unlink_urb() that the URB will not normally have finished when :c:func:`usb_unlink_urb`
returns; you must still wait for the completion handler to be called. returns; you must still wait for the completion handler to be called.
To cancel an URB synchronously, call To cancel an URB synchronously, call :c:func:`usb_kill_urb`::
void usb_kill_urb(struct urb *urb) void usb_kill_urb(struct urb *urb)
It does everything usb_unlink_urb does, and in addition it waits It does everything :c:func:`usb_unlink_urb` does, and in addition it waits
until after the URB has been returned and the completion handler until after the URB has been returned and the completion handler
has finished. It also marks the URB as temporarily unusable, so has finished. It also marks the URB as temporarily unusable, so
that if the completion handler or anyone else tries to resubmit it that if the completion handler or anyone else tries to resubmit it
they will get a -EPERM error. Thus you can be sure that when they will get a ``-EPERM`` error. Thus you can be sure that when
usb_kill_urb() returns, the URB is totally idle. :c:func:`usb_kill_urb` returns, the URB is totally idle.
There is a lifetime issue to consider. An URB may complete at any There is a lifetime issue to consider. An URB may complete at any
time, and the completion handler may free the URB. If this happens time, and the completion handler may free the URB. If this happens
while usb_unlink_urb or usb_kill_urb is running, it will cause a while :c:func:`usb_unlink_urb` or :c:func:`usb_kill_urb` is running, it will
memory-access violation. The driver is responsible for avoiding this, cause a memory-access violation. The driver is responsible for avoiding this,
which often means some sort of lock will be needed to prevent the URB which often means some sort of lock will be needed to prevent the URB
from being deallocated while it is still in use. from being deallocated while it is still in use.
...@@ -181,24 +196,25 @@ when usb_unlink_urb is invoked. The general solution to this problem ...@@ -181,24 +196,25 @@ when usb_unlink_urb is invoked. The general solution to this problem
is to increment the URB's reference count while holding the lock, then is to increment the URB's reference count while holding the lock, then
drop the lock and call usb_unlink_urb or usb_kill_urb, and then drop the lock and call usb_unlink_urb or usb_kill_urb, and then
decrement the URB's reference count. You increment the reference decrement the URB's reference count. You increment the reference
count by calling count by calling :c:func`usb_get_urb`::
struct urb *usb_get_urb(struct urb *urb) struct urb *usb_get_urb(struct urb *urb)
(ignore the return value; it is the same as the argument) and (ignore the return value; it is the same as the argument) and
decrement the reference count by calling usb_free_urb. Of course, decrement the reference count by calling :c:func:`usb_free_urb`. Of course,
none of this is necessary if there's no danger of the URB being freed none of this is necessary if there's no danger of the URB being freed
by the completion handler. by the completion handler.
1.7. What about the completion handler? What about the completion handler?
==================================
The handler is of the following type: The handler is of the following type::
typedef void (*usb_complete_t)(struct urb *) typedef void (*usb_complete_t)(struct urb *)
I.e., it gets the URB that caused the completion call. In the completion I.e., it gets the URB that caused the completion call. In the completion
handler, you should have a look at urb->status to detect any USB errors. handler, you should have a look at ``urb->status`` to detect any USB errors.
Since the context parameter is included in the URB, you can pass Since the context parameter is included in the URB, you can pass
information to the completion handler. information to the completion handler.
...@@ -208,26 +224,33 @@ sixteen packets to transfer your 1KByte buffer, and ten of them might ...@@ -208,26 +224,33 @@ sixteen packets to transfer your 1KByte buffer, and ten of them might
have transferred successfully before the completion was called. have transferred successfully before the completion was called.
NOTE: ***** WARNING ***** .. warning::
NEVER SLEEP IN A COMPLETION HANDLER. These are often called in atomic
context. NEVER SLEEP IN A COMPLETION HANDLER.
These are often called in atomic context.
In the current kernel, completion handlers run with local interrupts In the current kernel, completion handlers run with local interrupts
disabled, but in the future this will be changed, so don't assume that disabled, but in the future this will be changed, so don't assume that
local IRQs are always disabled inside completion handlers. local IRQs are always disabled inside completion handlers.
1.8. How to do isochronous (ISO) transfers? How to do isochronous (ISO) transfers?
======================================
Besides the fields present on a bulk transfer, for ISO, you also
also have to set ``urb->interval`` to say how often to make transfers; it's
often one per frame (which is once every microframe for highspeed devices).
The actual interval used will be a power of two that's no bigger than what
you specify. You can use the :c:func:`usb_fill_int_urb` macro to fill
most ISO transfer fields.
For ISO transfers you have to fill a usb_iso_packet_descriptor structure, For ISO transfers you also have to fill a :c:type:`usb_iso_packet_descriptor`
allocated at the end of the URB by usb_alloc_urb(n,mem_flags), for each structure, allocated at the end of the URB by :c:func:`usb_alloc_urb`, for
packet you want to schedule. You also have to set urb->interval to say each packet you want to schedule.
how often to make transfers; it's often one per frame (which is once
every microframe for highspeed devices). The actual interval used will
be a power of two that's no bigger than what you specify.
The usb_submit_urb() call modifies urb->interval to the implemented interval The :c:func:`usb_submit_urb` call modifies ``urb->interval`` to the implemented
value that is less than or equal to the requested interval value. If interval value that is less than or equal to the requested interval value. If
ISO_ASAP scheduling is used, urb->start_frame is also updated. ``URB_ISO_ASAP`` scheduling is used, ``urb->start_frame`` is also updated.
For each entry you have to specify the data offset for this frame (base is For each entry you have to specify the data offset for this frame (base is
transfer_buffer), and the length you want to write/expect to read. transfer_buffer), and the length you want to write/expect to read.
...@@ -237,25 +260,29 @@ It is allowed to specify a varying length from frame to frame (e.g. for ...@@ -237,25 +260,29 @@ It is allowed to specify a varying length from frame to frame (e.g. for
audio synchronisation/adaptive transfer rates). You can also use the length audio synchronisation/adaptive transfer rates). You can also use the length
0 to omit one or more frames (striping). 0 to omit one or more frames (striping).
For scheduling you can choose your own start frame or ISO_ASAP. As explained For scheduling you can choose your own start frame or ``URB_ISO_ASAP``. As
earlier, if you always keep at least one URB queued and your completion explained earlier, if you always keep at least one URB queued and your
keeps (re)submitting a later URB, you'll get smooth ISO streaming (if usb completion keeps (re)submitting a later URB, you'll get smooth ISO streaming
bandwidth utilization allows). (if usb bandwidth utilization allows).
If you specify your own start frame, make sure it's several frames in advance If you specify your own start frame, make sure it's several frames in advance
of the current frame. You might want this model if you're synchronizing of the current frame. You might want this model if you're synchronizing
ISO data with some other event stream. ISO data with some other event stream.
1.9. How to start interrupt (INT) transfers? How to start interrupt (INT) transfers?
=======================================
Interrupt transfers, like isochronous transfers, are periodic, and happen Interrupt transfers, like isochronous transfers, are periodic, and happen
in intervals that are powers of two (1, 2, 4 etc) units. Units are frames in intervals that are powers of two (1, 2, 4 etc) units. Units are frames
for full and low speed devices, and microframes for high speed ones. for full and low speed devices, and microframes for high speed ones.
The usb_submit_urb() call modifies urb->interval to the implemented interval You can use the :c:func:`usb_fill_int_urb` macro to fill INT transfer fields.
value that is less than or equal to the requested interval value.
The :c:func:`usb_submit_urb` call modifies ``urb->interval`` to the implemented
interval value that is less than or equal to the requested interval value.
In Linux 2.6, unlike earlier versions, interrupt URBs are not automagically In Linux 2.6, unlike earlier versions, interrupt URBs are not automagically
restarted when they complete. They end when the completion handler is restarted when they complete. They end when the completion handler is
called, just like other URBs. If you want an interrupt URB to be restarted, called, just like other URBs. If you want an interrupt URB to be restarted,
your completion handler must resubmit it. your completion handler must resubmit it.
s
...@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ Linux USB API ...@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ Linux USB API
bulk-streams bulk-streams
callbacks callbacks
dma dma
URB
power-management power-management
hotplug hotplug
persist persist
......
.. _usb-hostside-api:
=========================== ===========================
The Linux-USB Host Side API The Linux-USB Host Side API
=========================== ===========================
......
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