The KERNEL_MODULE_AUTOLOAD variable is used to list all kernel modules that need to be loaded automatically at boot. Modules that need load time arguments can be passed modprobe syntax by listing them in the KERNEL_MODULE_PROBECONF variable too, and the syntax provided as module_conf_<module-name> lines.

For example, to auto-load the Ethernet gadget driver at boot we could add the following to our kernel recipe:

KERNEL_MODULE_AUTOLOAD += "g_ether"
KERNEL_MODULE_PROBECONF += "g_ether"
module_conf_g_ether = "options g_ether iProduct=Wandboard iManufacturer=Technexion"