DRM/panel: Bringing Linux DRM Display Panel support in the modern age

Hi,

Since the introduction of the first Samsung DSI panel, the Linux DRM panel
API has been a crucial piece of software for enabling displays across
diverse architectures, but it has not evolved alongside modern graphics stacks.
Currently, the API lacks atomic DRM API support and the ability to adapt
power setups during mode changes.
Furthermore, it fails to support advanced Display Driver IC (DDIC) features
that modern hardware heavily relies on, including:
- Standby and advanced power states
- Advanced color management
- Dynamic rate switching
- Command mode self-refresh

This lack of evolution has led to severe fragmentation between upstream
and vendor downstream trees for advanced devices support, creating a heavy
maintenance burden and making native hardware support incredibly difficult.

The goal would be to outline these architectural limitations and trigger a
discussion on how to collaboratively modernize the panel API.
By standardizing advanced DDIC capabilities and fully embracing the atomic DRM API,
we hope to establish a unified path forward for the entire Linux community.

Submitting this via the Kernel Summit track as we don't have a separate DRM micro-conference this year.

Neil
-- 
Neil Armstrong <[email protected]>
Senior Kernel Engineer - Linaro
https://linaro.org/