# Interfaces

Source: [https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70014-30/topic/thermal-interfaces.html](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70014-30/topic/thermal-interfaces.html)

The thermal architecture includes the `sysfs` interface, which is used
        to read thermal zone configurations and cooling actions applied on CPU. User space clients
        use `sysfs` interface to communicate with cooling map interface.

For more information on `sysfs` interface, see [index: kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/Documentation/driver-api/thermal/sysfs-api.rst?h=v6.6).

- **[Thermal zone](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70014-30/topic/thermalzone.html)**  

The thermal zone connects Tsens hardware information, temperature thresholds, and         mitigation actions. The thermal framework creates node IDs for each thermal zone rule         defined in the device tree.
- **[Cooling devices](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70014-30/topic/coolingdevices.html)**  

Devices whose performance can be controlled to reduce heat dissipation are referred         to as cooling devices. CPU cores are cooling devices as their performance can be lowered to         reduce heat dissipation.
- **[Notification to user space](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70014-30/topic/notificationtouserspace.html)**  

The thermal core framework uses the `Netlink` interface to provide         sensor temperature notifications to user space. User space applications use             `Netlink` library API to get notifications of sensor temperature and take         required action.

**Parent Topic:** [Thermal management](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70014-30/topic/thermalmanagement.html)

Last Published: Jul 15, 2024

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