STRUCT PANEL_DESC(9)

🌸 NAME 🌸

struct panel_desc — bestie, it literally describes a simple panel. That's the whole vibe. This is the struct panel_desc(9) page from the Kernel API Manual, and we are getting into it 💅✨

✨ SYNOPSIS ✨

struct panel_desc {
    const struct drm_display_mode *modes;
    unsigned int num_modes;
    const struct display_timing *timings;
    unsigned int num_timings;
    unsigned int bpc;
    struct {
      unsigned int width;
      unsigned int height;
    } size;
    struct {
      unsigned int prepare;
      unsigned int enable;
      unsigned int disable;
      unsigned int unprepare;
    } delay;
    u32 bus_format;
    u32 bus_flags;
    int connector_type;
 };

🫶 Members 🫶

okay so here’s the member-by-member breakdown, and yes, every field is getting its moment 👑

• modes — pointer to an array of fixed modes that are appropriate for this panel. If there’s only one mode, then this can just be the address of the mode. NOTE: cannot be used with "timings", and also if this is specified then you cannot override the mode in the device tree.
• num_modes — the number of elements in the modes array. Counting era 🔢
• timings — pointer to an array of display timings. NOTE: cannot be used with "modes", and also these will be used to validate a device tree override if one is present.
• num_timings — the number of elements in the timings array. Again: counting ✨
• bpc — bits per color. slay.
• size — structure containing the physical size of this panel.
  • size.width — width (in mm) of the active display area.
  • size.height — height (in mm) of the active display area.
• delay — structure containing various delay values for this panel.
  • delay.prepare — time for the panel to become ready. The time (in milliseconds) that it takes for the panel to become ready and start receiving video data.
  • delay.enable — time for the panel to display a valid frame. The time (in milliseconds) that it takes for the panel to display the first valid frame after starting to receive video data.
  • delay.disable — time for the panel to turn the display off. The time (in milliseconds) that it takes for the panel to turn the display off (no content is visible).
  • delay.unprepare — time to power down completely. The time (in milliseconds) that it takes for the panel to power itself down completely.

This time is used to prevent a future "prepare" from starting until at least this many milliseconds has passed. If at prepare time less time has passed since unprepare finished, the driver waits for the remaining time.

• bus_format — see MEDIA_BUS_FMT_... defines. iykyk.
• bus_flags — see DRM_BUS_FLAG_... defines. also iykyk.
• connector_type — LVDS, eDP, DSI, DPI, etc. the connector’s whole personality 💫

🔎 SEE ALSO 🔎

Kernel file ./drivers/gpu/drm/panel/panel-simple.c — go read it, bestie, it’s right there 📖💖

mwah 💋 signing off from ./drivers/gpu/drm/panel, dated October 2026, for struct panel_desc(9) — periodt 🎀✨