A couple of years ago, Intel released the Thunderbolt port , allowing anyone to integrate it. Previously, it was necessary to pay royalties to integrate this type of connector. USB4, for example, will now be based on this type of connection interface, which is very interesting news. We now also know that ARM supports Thunderbolt under the Linux operating system.
While there is still no ARM SoC on the market that support Thunderbolt, the announcement is already very interesting. The announcement has a lot to do with USB4 already being fully based on the Thunderbolt standard, hence the importance of the announcement. But also, Linux 5.8 integrates support for this interface for processors other than x86 architecture.
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Intel developed Thunderbolt with x86 architecture processors in mind, the ones we use in desktop computers. Now by editing a line of code, the imposed artificial limitation is modified. The Kconfig build configuration had code that made Thunderbolt contingent for the x86-based kernel.
It is necessary that the Thunderbolt interface be compatible with non-x86 processors and under Open Source operating systems. The first tests under the ARM-based SolidRun HoneyComb workstation have been positive. For this, a Gigabyte 'Titan Ridge' Thunderbolt 3 PCIe has been integrated.
This card makes use of the Intel JHL7540 TB3 controller, which worked correctly complemented with a 72-core ARM Cortex-A16. All this working under a Linux distribution with kernel support for the Thunderbolt interface.
Thus any distribution that is based on Linux 5.8 will be able to offer full integration for Thunderbolt. Thus, the foundations are laid for the future support of the USB4 standard, which will already be based on the interface initially developed by Intel. In addition, it can be integrated into tablets or smartphones, something very important, since most are based on ARM solutions.
Source: Phoronix
