[Hardware Hacking General] SouL Shadow:
This thread is for the research, development and discussion of open source tools (initially Linux) to communicate with and utilize the various proprietary interfaces available on Qualcomm devices.

Initial development is centered around the MSM8660 and MSM8960 devices, but should be applicable to nearly any Qualcomm device which includes a modem and USB port. Older devices with a Serial port may also work. Components to be supported: DMSS Download Protocol (QDL mode), Streaming Download Protocol (EHostDL), and parts of other HDLC structured Qualcomm protocols.

An expanded description, examples, references, and test programs to follow shortly.

Goals

To provide a partial Open Source (Linux) replacement for QPST and QXDM

To enable the full recovery of various Android devices based on supported Qualcomm SoC's

To gain a better understanding of the underlying hardware in Qualcomm based Android devices

Change Log:

2013-01-06

Initial creation to consolidate OT discussions from other threads.

2013-01-07

Expanded description

Added external thread and web links

Added #QDL_Dev on IRC Freenode for open discussion

2013-01-28

Updated a few posts to correct prior mistakes.

Internal Thread Links

coming soon...

External Thread Links

[REF][R&D] MSM8960 Info, Architecture and Bootloader(s) http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1856327

Lots of important information and Qualcomm PDF's. Should be considered required reading. By E:V:A

[REF][R&D] Building Bootloaders on Qualcomm Devices http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1978703

By E:V:A

[DEV][REF] El Grande Partition Table Reference http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1959445

The definitive resource for device partition information. By E:V:A

No JTAG [SOLVED][JTAG,BRICK]SHV-E160L Korean model http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1914359

R&D for unbricking/fully recovering a SHV-E160L and various helpful utilities. By Darkspr1te

External Web Links

Code Aurora Forum https://www.codeaurora.org/

Home to various Open Source projects related to Qualcomm technologies.

Gobi https://www.codeaurora.org/contribute/projects/gobi/

A Code Aurora Forum project fueled by Qualcomm which serves as a reference for these protocol implementations.

AnyClub Blog http://www.anyclub.org/

A blog with limited yet specific information regarding Qualcomm MSM, MDM, QRD and related products. Can get technical at times and references closed source and proprietary files/programs.

Join us for live discussion in #QDL_DEV on IRC Freenode

Credits/Thanks:

E:V:A for various reference threads which both sparked my interest and fueled my initial research.

Darkspr1te for his involvement with initial and ongoing development.

Ralekdev for providing additional insight in to msm8960 PBL

.

Yarrimapirate for creation of JET (Jewel Evita Toolkit) which served as my first hands-on with QDL and led me down the path to here.

Fuses for his emmc_recover program, which gave me my first glimpse of using HDLC to communicate with a Qualcomm based phone. Also for his typically brief and discouraging posts, which in turn drives my desire to prove him wrong :)

Captain_Throwback for providing firmware zips, testing, and more bricked phones then anyone else I've met.

others whom I'll add as I think of them.