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Linux kernel to get drivers for Z-Wave and LoRa

Summary

In January 2019 SUSE developer Andreas Färber published an experimental Linux driver for the home automation protocol Z-Wave. Färber called it a proof of concept, tested with the Pine64 Z-Wave module and written without documentation of the UART protocol. Drivers for the LoRa radio protocol had also been in the works for some months.

Ideas

  • IoT radio protocols could be supported directly in the kernel.
  • Missing documentation forces developers to feel their way forward.
  • A kernel driver would treat Z-Wave devices like network interfaces.

Insights

  • Proprietary protocols slow down free implementations through missing specifications.
  • Whether a protocol belongs in the kernel or in user space is an architectural decision.

Facts

  • Testing was done with the Pine64 Z-Wave module.
  • Z-Wave is used to control devices remotely in home automation.
  • LoRa and LoRaWAN are said to reach ranges of up to 10 kilometres; this code was not in the main branch yet either.

References

Critique

  • The report does not say what advantage a kernel driver brings over existing user space solutions.

Recommendations

  • For Z-Wave and LoRa, use proven user space stacks such as Z-Wave JS or ChirpStack.
  • For home automation, prefer open, documented protocols.

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