atomisp kernel driver(s)

[Patrik Gfeller <patrik.gfeller@gmail.com>]

Hello Mauro et al,

I've recently switched to Linux, and I'm very impressed. Almost 
everything thing works out of the box. Only the webcam on my device does 
not. I did some digging and if I'm right an atomisp driver would be 
required. Is this correct? Below the output of lspci:

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Atom/Celeron/Pentium Processor 
x5-E8000/J3xxx/N3xxx Series SoC Transaction Register (rev 36) 00:02.0 
VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Atom/Celeron/Pentium 
Processor x5-E8000/J3xxx/N3xxx Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 36) 
00:03.0 Multimedia controller: Intel Corporation Atom/Celeron/Pentium 
Processor x5-E8000/J3xxx/N3xxx Series Imaging Unit (rev 36) 00:0a.0 
Non-VGA unclassified device: Intel Corporation Device 22d8 (rev 36) 
00:0b.0 Signal processing controller: Intel Corporation 
Atom/Celeron/Pentium Processor x5-E8000/J3xxx/N3xxx Series Power 
Management Controller (rev 36) 00:14.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation 
Atom/Celeron/Pentium Processor x5-E8000/J3xxx/N3xxx Series USB xHCI 
Controller (rev 36) 00:1a.0 Encryption controller: Intel Corporation 
Atom/Celeron/Pentium Processor x5-E8000/J3xxx/N3xxx Series Trusted 
Execution Engine (rev 36) 00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 
Atom/Celeron/Pentium Processor x5-E8000/J3xxx/N3xxx Series PCI Express 
Port #1 (rev 36) 00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 
Atom/Celeron/Pentium Processor x5-E8000/J3xxx/N3xxx Series PCU (rev 36) 
01:00.0 Network controller: Qualcomm Atheros QCA9377 802.11ac Wireless 
Network Adapter (rev 31)

According to the history it looks like the driver was removed from the 
kernel in 2018 and replaced with a dummy driver (to make sure power save 
works).

Is there a chance that the atomisp driver will return to the kernel? 
There are quite a few older tablets and 2in1 devices that would benefit. 
Unfortunately I do not understand the removed code (my coding skills are 
very basic) and can thus not help to change what ever is necessary to 
make it fit for the kernel :-( (does not sound like a beginner project). 
However - I would be glad to help out to help testing an ISP driver.

However - even without the cam it is a very impressing operating system 
which I enjoy very much. I would like to thank all of you for your work 
that benefits so many people!

All the best and stay healthy.

With kind regards,

Patrik Gfeller <patrik.gfeller@gmail.com>