Realtek RTL8723BS WiFi Driver Enters Tenth Year of Linux Kernel Cleanup Efforts

The Linux kernel development community persists in refining the Realtek RTL8723BS wireless driver, nine years after its initial integration into the kernel's staging area. Originally added in Linux 4.12 (2017), this driver supports 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 functionality via SDIO interface. Despite prolonged optimization efforts, the driver remains in staging status as of the Linux 7.0 merge window, signaling ongoing quality challenges.

Technical specifications reveal the complexity underlying the cleanup process. The RTL8723BS hardware operates on 40nm process technology with theoretical throughput of 150Mbps across its 2.4GHz band. Driver modernization efforts focus on eliminating legacy artifacts from Realtek's proprietary codebase, including a substantial Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) and operating system dependency layers that conflict with Linux kernel design principles. Recent changes involve systematic renaming conventions, memory management improvements, and API standardization.

During the Linux 7.0 development cycle, 87 of 119 staging patches (73%) targeted the RTL8723BS driver. This workload distribution highlights the driver's exceptional technical debt relative to other staging components like Greybus and VME_USER subsystems. Greg Kroah-Hartman noted the volume of changes, reflecting the community's commitment to refining even aging drivers.

Market analysis indicates why this cleanup persists: the RTL8723BS appeared in Intel's first-generation Compute Stick devices, various Intel Atom platforms, and ARM-based embedded systems between 2015-2020. An estimated 8-10 million devices shipped with this wireless solution during its production lifespan. While newer Wi-Fi 6/6E chips dominate current designs, ongoing Linux maintenance ensures compatibility for industrial equipment and legacy consumer devices still in operation.

Supply chain factors compound the challenge. Realtek ceased production of the RTL8723BS in 2021, shifting focus to 28nm and 16nm Wi-Fi 6 chips. However, the installed base necessitates continued driver support, particularly for embedded Linux deployments where hardware upgrades are impractical. This extended maintenance cycle demonstrates the hidden costs of vendor-specific driver implementations and underscores the Linux community's dedication to long-term hardware support, even for discontinued components. Current projections suggest the driver could exit staging status within 18-24 months based on recent progress rates.