how can i use new features of software RAID while kernel update is not allowed?

Hi, all:
I have an embedded system which use IOP331, kernel version is
2.6.15.4. If I want to use the latest kernel, I must count on patch
for that version of kernel which is provided by intel. But
unfortunately, the patch development is behind kernel development.
Since RAID is a part of kernel and new features has been added to it
continously, so how can I use these new features in this case. Any
suggestions?

-- 
The simplest is not all best but the best is surely the simplest!