How to install armbian in h618?

[Nick A]

I edited the broadcom kernel drivers.

 

/drivers/net/wireless/broadcom/brcm80211/include/brcm_hw_ids.h

 

#define BRCM_CC_43342_CHIP_ID    43342

 

/drivers/net/wireless/broadcom/brcm80211/brcmfmac/sdio.c

 

BRCMF_FW_DEF(43342, "brcmfmac43342-sdio");

BRCMF_FW_ENTRY(BRCM_CC_43342_CHIP_ID, 0xFFFFFFFF, 43342),

 

I made a patch for you. Copy the patch to build/patch/kernel/archive/sunxi-6.9/patches.armbian directory.

Edit build/patch/kernel/archive/sunxi-6.9/series.armbian and build/patch/kernel/archive/sunxi-6.9/series.conf to include the new patch.

 

Then copy firmware files below to your sdcard.

 

drivers-net-wireless-brcmfmac-add-43342-firmware.patch

43342_firmware.tar.gz

Edited September 18 by Nick A

[L Jumadi]

Greatt, after I recompile and write to new card (old one just not recognize in any device again) its offer to search Wifi hotspot after boot and can connect without copying your firmware files.. I guess its already there but need patch on your build cause I read it fixed on Rockchip forum by @jock thanks to all tv box supporter

[L Jumadi]

Exploring further my box, seems it using NAND type memory as cant detected by my current armbian.. read on forum it seems best way is to forget about it, no problem at least can run on sdcard fast enough and can use it than only for tv box :) Maybe just need to seek better sdcard as my last sdcard failed and the new one is same brand and size as old one :D

[Nick A]

Can post your nand chip... maybe we can figure out the problem.

[L Jumadi]

Strange enough what I suspect memory chip is labelled Sandisk SDINADF4-16G CHINA 8287DRKEQ0WZ can be wrong B instead of 8 and O instead of 0 in the numbering :) but I try google its maybe NAND version :)

[firepower]

I have ordered two TV boxes to run armbian Vontar H618 and Tanix TXs6 H616. Both 4GB ram + 64GB emmc.

Edited September 21 by firepower

[L Jumadi]

Furthermore.. when I try to light up tanix front LED either using https://github.com/arthur-liberman/linux_openvfd or

https://github.com/jefflessard/tm16xx-display/ I found kernel header install by armbian-config and actual kernel image is different in my box 6.7.12 vs 6.9.12 thus cant properly make or install. Is there any workaround? or need patch again and rebuilt image from start?

[firepower]

Sandisk SDINADF4-16G data sheet  16GB    eMMC eMMC 5.1

https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/669/SanDisk_10092017_iNAND-Family-Brochure-for-M_C_022-1217148.pdf

Edited September 21 by firepower

[firepower]

Clock LED Display Info

 http://nskhuman.ru/allwinner/fd650manual.php?np=1

 

driver

http://nskhuman.ru/allwinner/fd650_c.txt

 

Driver.txt

 

Edited September 21 by firepower

[Nick A]

 Vontar H618 and Tanix TXs6 H616 are supported by miniarch and armbian.  There are 3 different tanix_tx6s boards. Not sure which version is supported by armbian. But  you shouldn't have trouble porting over the other boards to armbian.

 

https://github.com/warpme/minimyth2/tree/master/script/bootloaders

board-h616.tanix_tx6s

board-h616.tanix_tx6s_axp313

board-h616.tanix_tx6s_lpddr3

 

Vontar is almost exactly the same as transpeed 8K618. I think the wifi chip is the only difference. 

 

https://github.com/warpme/minimyth2/blob/master/script/kernel/linux-6.10/files/0642-arm64-dts-allwinner-h616-add-Tanix-TX6s-TVbox.patch

https://github.com/warpme/minimyth2/blob/master/script/kernel/linux-6.10/files/0647-arm64-dts-allwinner-h618-add-vontar-h618-TVbox.patch

 

I haven't had time to play with the LED yet.

Edited September 22 by Nick A

[L Jumadi]

thanks @firepower @Nick A actually Im asking for kernel module compilation in Nick's armbian branch after install cause too advance kernel while header provide by armbian-config lag behind, I already try to seek 6.9.12 header in armbian repo but still dont find

[L Jumadi]

But.. I already found the solution.. I recompile again with 6.7.12 kernel (still using Nick's build and my current pacth) then, starting over 6-7hours redownload and compile. Hope not break something

[MMorales]

helllo @L Jumadi  I have the same problem as you. I have been looking for the 6.9 headers but was imposible to find.
Please can you please share your img or a little "howto" for compiling my own img.

Thanks in advance.
(using a vontar h618 4-32 with transpeed-8k618-t  image)

Edited September 22 by MMorales

[Nick A]

Here's a step by step instructions to compile and create your own image. Make sure you "ctrl c" after the kernel patches are applied. The build erases the cached kernel source when completed. You want the patches applied before you stop the build. 

 

First link are the files I usually edit. Second link is how to make a patch and build your own image.

 

 

 

Edited September 22 by Nick A

[L Jumadi]

@MMorales You need all requirement to build armbian, Minimal Ubuntu Jammy (I before try with my puppy linux error need higher version python then I use newer Fossa Dog can not also then end up with Jammy on WSL windows 10)

If you use transpeed then need nick build, his main branch still 6.7 kernel but I'm still using edge branch then just  Edit ~/build/config/sources/families/include/sunxi4-common.inc I change KERNEL_MAYOR_MINOR and KERNELBRANCH in edge to 6.7 and 6.7.12

If you not yet have git package, you need to install it with:

    apt-get install git -y

To download to your home:

    cd ~

    git clone https://github.com/NickAlilovic/build.git --branch main --single-branch

    cd build

then you can just compile with menu need to seek transpeed board:

     ./compile.sh

or can just give some selection in command:

     ./compile.sh build BOARD=transpeed-8k618-t BRANCH=edge BUILD_DESKTOP=no BUILD_MINIMAL=no KERNEL_CONFIGURE=no RELEASE=jammy

I already have some experience in compiling and programming, so not to hard for me but maybe confusing for new one :)

 

[L Jumadi]

Oh after that maybe u asked for user password  and if you use WSL also have warning and counter, need to respond with keyboard to continue.. then compiling begin. My first one need around 7hours on old gen Intel i5, then only around 3hours for kernel alone. result you can find as image in ~/build/output/images/Armbian-unofficial*.img

then I guess you already know next step :) If there is any error can examine in ~/build/output/logs

[MMorales]

Very thanks @Nick A @L Jumadi for the explanation. I only want to access the led display to show the status of my phyton services but yes its a lot confusing understand this for anyone who dont have compiling experience. Anyway i will do my tries. 

 

[L Jumadi]

Ya tough not so important but LED display at least give information while we not attach display to this box, BTW my 1st try building 6.7.12 success but no display on my Tanix.. so I retry using Nick's main branch, still compiling now

 

[Nick A]

I think for openvfd LED to work you need these lines in your dts. You probably have to modify it with the correct GPIO settings for your box. You can find it in the android dts. I haven't tested this yet.

https://github.com/warpme/minimyth2/blob/master/script/kernel/linux-6.10/files/0568-arm64-dts-allwinner-tanix-tx6-enable-wifi-cpu-dvfs.patch

 

+	openvfd {
+		compatible = "open,vfd";
+		dev_name = "openvfd";
+		openvfd_gpio_clk = <&pio 3 25 (GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH|GPIO_OPEN_DRAIN)>; /* PD25 */
+		openvfd_gpio_dat = <&pio 3 26 (GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH|GPIO_OPEN_DRAIN)>; /* PD26 */
+		vfd_gpio_chip_name = "300b000.pinctrl";
+		openvfd_chars = [02 04 03 02 01];
+		openvfd_dot_bits = [00 01 03 02 04 05 06];
+		openvfd_display_type = <0x03000001>;
+		status = "okay";
+	};

 

Driver patches and service init script.

https://github.com/warpme/minimyth2/tree/master/script/kernel/openvfd

 

More info found in CoreELEC

https://discourse.coreelec.org/t/how-to-configure-vfd/427/43?page=3

 

vfd-configurations ( looking at these configurations you can set gpio here. I'll look more into it when I have time off.)

https://github.com/arthur-liberman/vfd-configurations

Edited September 23 by Nick A

[firepower]

The Vontar H618 arrived, but fault HDMI black screen with intermittent flash of screen, tested on Dell Monitor and LG TV.

Could not even check setting or install hardware info app 😢. Also got a wireless gyro air mouse remote which was not an air mouse. 🤬

Double disappointment. returning both for refund.

 

[Nick A]

Maybe it's a bad HDMI cable?  

[L Jumadi]

@MMorales I success building using Nick's main branch with all patch he give me before so wifi also work. But strangely when I install header it install 6.10 version :D but beacuse I already save deb version of header I can install it manually with dpkg -i and trying to compile @Jean-Francois Lessard version openvfd, make install success but his tool for create dts error with FDT_ERR_NOTFOUND, will try asked on his for assistance later on his thread

[firepower]

tested with two hdmi cables, same result

also cable worked with MXQpro4k TV box ok.

ordered a Tanix TX6 to replace the Vontar

So far

MXQpro4k was fake returned.

Vontar H618 was faulty returned

waiting for Tanix TX6s and Tanix TX6 dont think Tanix TX6s will ship, it all COD so no loss if not ship

 

 

Edited September 24 by firepower

[MMorales]

@L Jumadi yesterday i tried to reflash my vontar with the previous nick image (V20240726) wich has 6.7.12 kernel and source. After that i could advance some steps with the vfd tutorial but i got some error in the way. Anyway thanks very much to you and @Nick A for the help. 
 

[Nick A]

MMorales which image boots on your box? Can you post the error message?

[MMorales]

@Nick A 
This is the image which i was using: https://github.com/NickAlilovic/build/releases/download/v20240909/Armbian-unofficial_24.11.0-trunk_Transpeed-8k618-t_bookworm_edge_6.9.12_server.tar.gz 

After burning the microsd I copy brcmfmac4334-sdio.bin from https://github.com/LibreELEC/brcmfmac_sdio-firmware to /lib/firmware/brcm/brcmfmac4334-sdio.transpeed,8k618-t.bin renaming it in the sdcard.

Doing this everythings works unless bluetooth and led display.
the device is a Vontar h618 4g 32gb with FD650B-S chip for the led display.

 

Yesterday i reflash finally this vontar with the original android firmware and install to my parents for tv watching. i will order this time a transpeed h618 4g 64g 

Edited September 24 by MMorales

[hexdump]

@MMorales - be careful with using the original android as some of those boxes are full of malware - see: https://github.com/DesktopECHO/T95-H616-Malware

 

best wishes - hexdump

[MMorales]

thanks @hexdump i followed the tutorial and i've cleaned it with that tutorial and uninstalled a lot of apps i dont use and its so minimal now. 
 

Another thing i did is:
I found this tool https://github.com/PabloCastellano/extract-dtb?tab=readme-ov-file
and this: https://pypi.org/project/fdt/
and with that i got some dts files extrating from the official rom.
 

 

01_dtbdump_,sun50iw9.dts

 

in that file i found some lines : 

Quote

 

  fd628_dev@0 {
                pins = "PI11", "PI12";
                function = "gpio_out";
                drive-strength = <0x14>;
                phandle = <0x6E>;
            };

 

            compatible = "allwinner,fd628_dev";
            fd628_gpio_clk = <0x23 0x8 0xB 0x0>;
            fd628_gpio_dat = <0x23 0x8 0xC 0x0>;
            fd628_dev_pin = "/soc@3000000/pinctrl@300b000/fd628_dev@0";

 

 

so i can be sure the dts lines for vfs in vontar & transpeed with h618 are these:

openvfd {
    compatible = "open,vfd";
    dev_name = "openvfd";
    openvfd_gpio_clk = <&pio 8 11 (GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH|GPIO_OPEN_DRAIN)>;
    openvfd_gpio_dat = <&pio 8 12 (GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH|GPIO_OPEN_DRAIN)>;
    vfd_gpio_chip_name = "0300b000.pinctrl";
    openvfd_chars = [02 01 02 03 04];
    openvfd_dot_bits = [00 01 03 02 04 05 06];
    openvfd_display_type = <0x03000000>;
    status = "okay";
};

 

 

 

Edited September 25 by MMorales

[firepower]

Revieved my Tanix TX6 H616 4GB + 32GB

PCB: CS_H616_TX6S_B4_V4.4A

RAM: K4B4G0446D

EMMC: E32GDSAA1ABE00

WIFI: SP6330-X0

PMIC: AXP313A

LED IC: FD650B-S

 

Work OK and specs are correct, No display on my monitor but works on my LG TV. I have ordered a new HDMI to DVI cable to replace my HDMI to DVI adapter, and ordered a HDMI to DP adapter. hopefully can get my monitor to work with HDMI.  I added Rx Tx Gnd 5V connector for serial coms. There is also EMMC/CLK and GND test points on bottom of PCB. To open use a guitar pick or spudger to prise bottom case off. Comparing the PCB with the Tanix TX68 i posted previously , seem identical PCB part number just different cpu and wifi and emmc used.

 

Edited September 26 by firepower

[L Jumadi]

@MMorales @Nick AI can find my LED setting in my DTB

fd650 {
     compatible = "oranth,fd650";
     status = "okay";
     fd650_gpio_clk = <0x53 0x08 0x0b 0x01 0xffffffff 0xffffffff 0x00>;
     fd650_gpio_dat = <0x53 0x08 0x0c 0x01 0xffffffff 0xffffffff 0x00>;
                };

I already success compile arthur-libermann openvfd and setting dtb overlay for it but cant found config in

https://github.com/arthur-liberman/vfd-configurations

Can I get help to convert this info to proper vfd.conf, maybe just for gpio clk and dat.. so I can try further? tks