Hi,
Ok, so there is already the iec958 plugin, but wouldn't it be nice to have an 'Emulated IEC958-Card' driver that implements implements all the possible components of the IEC958-cum-AES/EBU specification. The user could have the look and feel of a real card via ALSA control and audio i/f .... User Data can be provided too (which lacks in the iec958 plugin ?)
This driver might be boon for low-end embedded devices which have neither IEC958 controller in the SoC nor a codec chip that supports it. In fact the SPDIF controller of one SoC that I know implements only a subset of the standard with limitations.
The only requirement for the emulated-iec958 card would be a shifter with deep enough fifo, that can shift out bits at around 6Mbps (for 48KHz Stereo). And most SoCs have such a resource available that can be put to the use -- OMAP has McBSP, Samsung's and other SoCs can leverage a SPI controller.
Any suggestions welcome.
Regards, Jassi
PS: I start the topic upon insistence from Angat yadi.brar01@gmail.com, a grad student who wanted to implement the feature for his univ project on his beagle board.