[Discontinued][ROM+KERNEL][WIP] CM11 with CAF 3.4.0 kernel [September 17, 2014]

[Sultanxda]

Due to modem-induced crashes that I am unable to fix, this is discontinued.

This is an unofficial CyanogenMod 11 ROM with the first 3.4 kernel for any Galaxy S2 variant. The kernel is based off of the most advanced kernel source available from Qualcomm (CAF) for MSM8660/MSM8960 CPU architectures. Please note that this kernel is still a work-in-progress, so you may experience some issues while using it.

ROM features:

• Fully-functional camera and camcorder
• Fixed available front-facing-camera camcorder resolutions (so it can record at higher resolutions)
• Disabled LPA (as it isn't functioning correctly on MSM8x60)
• Enabled Qualcomm BSP (Board Support Package)
• Enabled Qualcomm bionic optimizations
• Uses CAF media HAL (media-caf)
• USB mass storage mode (disabled by default; enable it in Settings -> Storage)

Kernel features:

• First-ever 3.4 kernel for any Galaxy S2 variant
• Based off of the latest CAF kk_2.7 kernel source available (source tag: AU_LINUX_ANDROID_KK_2.7_RB1.04.04.04.007.067)
• Uses Qualcomm's latest drivers and enhancements available for our architecture
• Performance is over 9,000
• Upgraded the amount of REAL RAM by 44MB (userspace now has 829MB of RAM, as seen in Settings->About Phone)
• Removed LOTS of excessive debugging and other garbage (a lighter kernel is a faster kernel)
• Newest WiFi drivers from Samsung's Galaxy S5 kernel
• WiFi direct works
• WiFi hotspot works
• No 5-second delay in camcorder
• Fixed cable-type 6 charging wakelocks (cable-type 6 = unknown charger)
• Fixed slow charging speed with some chargers
• Ultra-fast charging over USB (up to 1200mA, regular fast charge in all other kernels is 900mA)
• Increased maximum current for AC charging to 1200mA (it is 900mA in all other kernels)
• Improved screen colors via HTC MDP color enhancement (screen colors are less saturated)
• Note that the kernel does not contain advanced features like overclocking at the moment as overall stability has yet to be confirmed. Overclocking will be added in the future if feedback is positive after the first few weeks of testing.

Screenshot:

Source code:
My manifest (cm-11.0 branch): https://github.com/sultanxda/Android
Kernel source (cm-11.0 branch): https://github.com/sultanxda/sultan-kernel-skyrocket-pure-CAF-3.4
Vendor binaries (cm-11.0 branch): https://github.com/sultanxda/android_vendor_samsung_celox
Device trees (cm-11.0 branch):

• https://github.com/sultanxda/android_device_samsung_msm8660-common
• https://github.com/sultanxda/android_device_samsung_celox-common
• https://github.com/sultanxda/android_device_samsung_skyrocket
• https://github.com/sultanxda/android_device_samsung_qcom-common

Known issues:

• Mobile data
• In-call microphone
• USB OTG (plugging in a USB OTG device crashes the phone)
• Modem init takes 1 minute longer than it should
• Modem init fails if the device is put to sleep before mobile network is detected when you first turn on the device (If the device is completely powered off and you turn it on, unlock the device and wait for mobile network to be detected before putting the device to sleep. Once mobile network is detected for the first time after boot, you can forget about this bug)
• Device does not always reboot successfully when the kernel crashes
• Overall stability is not guaranteed as this is a work-in-progress

Credits (in no particular order):

• Team Chopsticks
• CyanogenMod and its contributors
• CAF (Code Aurora Forum)
• PA for the gapps
• bryan2894
• Flemmard
• If I forgot you, slap me and force me to use an iPhone

Downloads:

Mirror 1 (AndroidFileHost):
ROM: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=19081
Gapps: http://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=15801
Kernel standalone installer (this installs only the kernel): https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=19120
This kernel can be flashed over my other CyanogenMod 11 ROM if you want nightly ROM updates

XDA:DevDB Information
CyanogenMod 11 with CAF 3.4.0 kernel, ROM for the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket SGH-I727

Contributors
Sultanxda
ROM OS Version: 4.4.x KitKat
ROM Kernel: Linux 3.4.x

Version Information
Status: Beta

Created 2014-09-16
Last Updated 2014-11-29

 

[Sultanxda]

Reserved

Changelog:

September 17, 2014:
ROM:
*Latest upstream CyanogenMod changes
*Fixed Bluetooth

Kernel:
Sultan kernel CAF 3.4 Pure v1.0.1:
*Fixed Bluetooth clock name

September 16, 2014:
ROM:
*Initial release

Kernel:
*Initial release

 

[Sultanxda]

Reserved

TAKE THAT, SHAMSUNG!

#rekt

 

[_Jax_]

Amazing!!! Can't wait to try it out. Hopefully you sort out Bluetooth as well.

Thank you!!!!!!

 

[xonelith]

Downloading now. I'll test it later tonight when I don't need my BT

 

[xxboarderxx]

Wow this is amazing... But what does over 9000 performance mean? What is the performance now when I'm running your other ROM + 1.3.4 kernel?

I mean, the current ROM of yours is running great so am I gonna see even more improvement in speed?

X

Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

 

[Sultanxda]

Wow this is amazing... But what does over 9000 performance mean? What is the performance now when I'm running your other ROM + 1.3.4 kernel?

I mean, the current ROM of yours is running great so am I gonna see even more improvement in speed?

X

Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Make a nandroid and try it

Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

 

[xxboarderxx]

Make a nandroid and try it

Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

This is exactly what I am doing right now!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

 

[xonelith]

It's definitely more responsive and smooth. Didn't think that was possible based results with your previous kernel. Is there some sort of app that can actually test the responsiveness so I can see a comparison (not just here, but compared to other kernels)? Or is it only based on 'feel'?

I initially tried a dirty flash, but after 5 or 6 mins in the boot animation, i just ended up doing a clean flash and all installed perfectly.

I'm not sure what a USB OTG is, but the only thing I noticed with USB, is the mass storage wasn't recognized; only MTP.

 

[Sultanxda]

It's definitely more responsive and smooth. Didn't think that was possible based results with your previous kernel. Is there some sort of app that can actually test the responsiveness so I can see a comparison (not just here, but compared to other kernels)? Or is it only based on 'feel'?

I initially tried a dirty flash, but after 5 or 6 mins in the boot animation, i just ended up doing a clean flash and all installed perfectly.

I'm not sure what a USB OTG is, but the only thing I noticed with USB, is the mass storage wasn't recognized; only MTP.

USB OTG = USB On-The-Go

USB OTG allows you to plug in regular USB flash drives and keyboards to your phone via a USB OTG cable. The performance increase can definitely be quantified. Just try a benchmark like Antutu or something; however, keep in mind that some kernels use different CPU governors and governor configurations than others (as well as different hotplug methods), so your benchmark results will probably be inconsistent. Benchmark results will be consistent if you want to compare this kernel with my 3.0 kernel. Also keep in mind that there are some performance aspects that a benchmark cannot measure.

I just tested USB mass storage and it worked on my computer (my computer is running Linux). I'll go try mass storage mode with a Winblows computer to double-check.

 

[xonelith]

USB OTG = USB On-The-Go

USB OTG allows you to plug in regular USB flash drives and keyboards to your phone via a USB OTG cable. The performance increase can definitely be quantified. Just try a benchmark like Antutu or something; however, keep in mind that some kernels use different CPU governors and governor configurations than others (as well as different hotplug methods), so your benchmark results will probably be inconsistent. Benchmark results will be consistent if you want to compare this kernel with my 3.0 kernel. Also keep in mind that there are some performance aspects that a benchmark cannot measure.

I just tested USB mass storage and it worked on my computer (my computer is running Linux). I'll go try mass storage mode with a Winblows computer to double-check.

Thanks!

I am using Windows. It's common to have intermittent recognition issues with USB. Sometimes it all works great and other times... well. However, normally it's both MTP and UMS. In this case MTP had no issues, even when switching back and forth between the 2.

 

[xxboarderxx]

Make a nandroid and try it

Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

So... I installed ROM with be kernel and I honestly do not feel any difference between this and the other one.

I'm sure benchmarks don't lie but I've based this on my purely qualitative observations.

This is why I ask what 9000 means and how is it relative to the other kernel.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

 

[anomalya]

Is the kernel standalone ready for release?

I saw it in the changelog but not in the downloads area.

 

[Sultanxda]

So... I installed ROM with be kernel and I honestly do not feel any difference between this and the other one.

I'm sure benchmarks don't lie but I've based this on my purely qualitative observations.

This is why I ask what 9000 means and how is it relative to the other kernel.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I guess you're not very picky about performance. I experienced a night vs. day performance difference. Games that would lag on the 3.0 kernel are now fluid for me. Apps are opening faster and the UI as a whole feels much more fluid.

From a coding standpoint, 3.4 makes 3.0 look weak. Some of the many, many improvements in 3.4 include completely new ARM drivers, Ion memory drivers, MMC drivers, power-management architecture, generic Linux drivers, etc.

Is the kernel standalone ready for release?

I saw it in the changelog but not in the downloads area.

This kernel is still in an experimental phase; installing it on another ROM would compromise feedback on its stability/functionality.

 

[anomalya]

This kernel is still in an experimental phase; installing it on another ROM would compromise feedback on its stability/functionality.

Understood. I was looking to install it on the latest CM11/SoCal's nightlies.

 

[xxboarderxx]

I guess you're not very picky about performance. I experienced a night vs. day performance difference. Games that would lag on the 3.0 kernel are now fluid for me. Apps are opening faster and the UI as a whole feels much more fluid.

From a coding standpoint, 3.4 makes 3.0 look weak. Some of the many, many improvements in 3.4 include completely new ARM drivers, Ion memory drivers, MMC drivers, power-management architecture, generic Linux drivers, etc.



This kernel is still in an experimental phase; installing it on another ROM would compromise feedback on its stability/functionality.

I think I am just not as observant as some of you. But then again, small changes are sometimes not noticeable to the 'untrained' person. It also is somewhat relative unless we are talking about a total game changer. I also don't game on my skyrocket so that could be another reason why I don't notice the difference that you do.

Don't get me wrong... Once the bugs are all worked out on this kernel, you can bet I will switch over if everyone else does because the majority are almost always right.

Thanks for sharing your work.
X

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

 

[Andrw0830]

Thanks @Sultanxda for the great work! Hope you continue making awesome modifications for the device. Let me know if you want me to help with some extensive testing.

 

[Sultanxda]

New build uploaded with Bluetooth fixed. @anomalya I have also added a download link to install only the kernel (no Aroma installer). The kernel is only compatible with my other CM11 ROM (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2718129). This is useful if you want to get nightly ROM updates and continue using the 3.4 kernel. Feedback is welcome if you decide to use this kernel over my other ROM.

 

[SoCalHTCFuze]

Bluetooth is fixed? () Are you sure¿ I'm gonna spank BT senseless and see.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA Free mobile app

 

[xonelith]

New build uploaded with Bluetooth fixed. @anomalya I have also added a download link to install only the kernel (no Aroma installer). The kernel is only compatible with my other CM11 ROM (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2718129). This is useful if you want to get nightly ROM updates and continue using the 3.4 kernel. Feedback is welcome if you decide to use this kernel over my other ROM.

Thanks. Downloading the kernel with the nightlies.

Messing around with it more tonight, and definitely a huge difference loading apps, but really noticeable on games. :highfive:

I'll mess with BT and GPS tomorrow.