Hi Nuttx, This is a follow-up to GitHub issue #15856 <https://github.com/apache/nuttx/issues/15856> initiated by raiden00pl. The discussion there provides useful context for this proposal.
*--- Summary ---* Currently, the IOCTL API for character-driven RF devices lacks a common interface across different modulation technologies, such as LoRa, FSK, and OOK. As a result, driver-specific IOCTL commands are created even when they could be shared across multiple radios. This fragmentation makes application portability more difficult to maintain. *--- Impact ---* This does require some changes to be made to 4 RF drivers. - My SX126x (New, experimental) - Raiden SX127x, - Linguini RN2xx3 (New, experimental) - nRF The three of us—Raiden, Linguini, and I—support this idea and are already involved in the development. Once implemented, this common API would make it easier for IoT applications to run on NuttX with minimal driver-specific modifications, reducing maintenance overhead and eliminating redundant implementations. *--- Breaking ---* This is considered a breaking change if the following IOCTL command may be changed: WLIOC_SETTXPOWER takes an integer value for dB. This can be changed to steps of 1/100 dB instead. Because the RN2xx3 and some radios can take smaller values. (*Open for discussion)* However, the RN2xx3 and SX126x drivers are marked experimental, so any modifications to these are *not* considered breaking. *--- Strategy ---* 1. Introduce new IOCTL commands without modifying legacy implementations. 2. Gradually migrate existing drivers to the new API while testing and documenting. 3. Remove legacy implementations To avoid breaking changes, we could retain the legacy APIs if desired and only remove the *experimental* ones. *--- Proposal API header ---* https://github.com/keever50/nuttx/blob/common_wireless_character_driver_API/include/nuttx/wireless/ioctl.h I collaborated with Raiden and Linguini on defining these IOCTL commands. Feedback and suggestions from the community would be greatly appreciated. *--- Note about "Experimental" ---* The SX126x and RN2xx3 drivers are marked as experimental, meaning users are explicitly warned that changes may occur in the near future. They were labeled as such before being merged. Looking forward to your thoughts! Best regards, Kevin (Keever50 on github)
