Embedded Open-Source Linux Design

Course Description

This intermediate-level, two-day course provides embedded systems developers with experience in creating an embedded open-source Linux operating system on a Xilinx development board. The course offers students hands-on experience from building the environment to booting the system using a basic, single-processor System on Chip (SoC) design with Linux 2.6 from the Xilinx kernel tree.

This course introduces embedded Linux components, use of open-source components, environment configurations, network components, and debugging/profiling options for embedded Linux platforms. The primary focus is on embedded Linux development in conjunction with the Xilinx tool flow.

Release Date

June 2009

Level

Embedded Hardware 4

Training Duration

2 days

Who Should Attend?

Embedded software developers interested in customizing an open-source Linux kernel for a Xilinx embedded processor system.

Prerequisites

• Experience in C or C++ programming
• Basic understanding of VHDL or Verilog design
• Basic microprocessor design experience and understanding of MicroBlaze™ or PowerPC® processor architecture
• Knowledge of operating system architecture
• Experience using a Linux command-line shell for common file operations

Software Tools

• ISE® Design Suite: Embedded or System Edition 11.1

Hardware

• Architecture: Virtex®-5 FPGA*
• Demo board: Virtex-4 FPGA ML403 or Virtex-5 FPGA ML507 board*

* This course focuses on the Spartan-6 and Virtex-6 architectures. Check with your local Authorized Training Provider for the specifics of the in-class lab board or other customizations.

Skills Gained

After completing this comprehensive training, you will know how to:

• Set up a Linux development environment
• Configure a Xilinx FPGA for a Linux operating system
• Describe the toolchain for developing an embedded Linux operating system
• Determine the scheduling requirements for an embedded Linux operating system and apply them to the FPGA configuration
• Analyze the system requirements for Inter-Process Communication and configure the FPGA
• Analyze the system requirements for memory management and apply them to the system
• Develop and add Linux drivers to the system

Course Outline

Day 1

• Course Agenda and Introduction
• Building the Environment
• Lab 1: Building the Environment
• Basic Linux System
• Lab 2: Basic Linux System

Day 2

• Booting and Debugging
• Lab 3: Boot Loader
• Peripherals and Drivers
• Lab 4: Peripherals and Drivers
• Embedded Linux Memory Manager
• Processes, Scheduling, and Timing

Lab Descriptions

• Lab 1: Building the Environment – On a virtual machine environment, download and build a Linux development system that integrates Xilinx tools and open-source components. Includes the use of build scripts.
• Lab 2: Basic Linux System – Configure the kernel; build the kernel without a root file system; download and start the kernel with xmd; try basic debugging techniques; build a minimal rootfs, rebuild Linux with a minimal rootfs; and boot Linux and login.
• Lab 3: Boot Loader – Analyze the starting point of the kernel; analyze the boot messages; add the first-stage boot loader; add U-Boot, boot Linux with U-Boot; and boot Linux with an NFS rootfs.
• Lab 4: Peripherals and Drivers – Program a Hello World kernel module; compile external kernel modules; and create a simple gpio driver.

Customer Reviews 

• The hands-on labss in this course were very helpful.
  
  
  
• Excellent class if you're interested. I would highly recommend it.