Embedded Linux with ARM

Abstract

Embedded Linux is the use of Linux in embedded computer systems such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants, media players, set-top boxes, and other consumer electronics devices, networking equipment, machine control, industrial automation, navigation equipment and medical instruments. According to survey conducted by Venture Development Corporation, Linux was used by 18% of embedded engineers.

Linux is the version of Linux running on processors with a Memory Management Unit (MMU). Processors without MMU can run a modified version of Linux called uClinux. The uClinux tab provides pre-built uClinux images for specific ARM processors

Key benefits of Linux on ARM

• Complete scalable operating system providing a reliable multi-tasking environment
• Based on an open source model (GPL)
• Leverage a wide range of UNIX and open source applications
• Early availability on ARM processor-based platforms
• Used in many ARM technology-based designs including networking and wireless space
• Broad support through open discussion forums

Objective

This course is designed to ensure that students of Engineering College with academic capabilities will have the skill set needed to deal with the challenges involved in real-world embedded technologies to meet the needs of industries both today and in the future.
The course considers programming techniques which can help to ensure that single-processor embedded systems are reliable.
The course is taught mainly using the C programming language, with a ARM Board and PC emulated as an embedded device.

A prior knowledge of a basic Linux commands, general understanding about operating system concepts is assumed.

• The course is split into Six modules:
  • Data Structures with C Read More

    C is a general-purpose computer programming language developed between 1969 and 1973 Dennis Ritchie at the Bell Telephone Laboratories for use with the UNIX operating system. C is one of the most popular programming languages of all time and there are very few computer architectures for which a C compiler does not exist.

    C is often used for "system programming", including implementing operating systems and embedded system applications, due to a combination of desirable characteristics such as code portability and efficiency, ability to access specific hardware addresses, ability to pun types to match externally imposed data access requirements, and low runtime demand on system resources. One consequence of C's wide acceptance and efficiency is that compilers, libraries, and interpreters of other programming languages are often implemented in C.

    The goal of this module is to teach the basics of computer programming and software engineering, as well as the C programming language and Data Structures using free and open source tools available to users on all operating systems.

    • By the end of this module you Should be:
      • Comfortable with respect to programming in C.
      • Able to Implement and use Data Structures using C.
      • Proficient in Advanced C.
      • Efficient in System C.
      • Having good understanding about gcc compiler.
      • Able to debug complex C programs.
      • Ready for System Programming using C.
  • Shell Scripts Read More

    A shell script is a script written for the shell, or command line interpreter, of an operating system. It is often considered a simple domain-specific programming language. Typical operations performed by shell scripts include file manipulation, program execution, and printing text.

    Many shell script interpreters double as command line interface, such as the various Unix shells, Windows PowerShell or the MS-DOS COMMAND. Others, such as AppleScript or the graphical Windows Script Host (WScript.exe), add scripting capability to computing environments without requiring a command line interface.

    In their most basic form, a shell script can provide a convenient variation of a system command where special environment settings, command options, or post processing is applied automatically, but in a way that allows the new script to still act as a fully normal UNIX command.

    In their most basic form, a shell script can provide a convenient variation of a system command where special environment settings, command options, or post-processing is applied automatically, but in a way that allows the new script to still act as a fully normal Unix command.

    Shell Scripts are usually used for Batch jobs, Generalization, verisimilitude, System Administration and Programming.

    • By the end of this module you should be:
      • Able to Understand Bash Shell Basics.
      • Able to do Command Line Editing.
      • Efficient with Basic Shell Programming.
      • Good Understanding about Flow Control, Command Line Options.
      • Implementing Input – Output and Command Line Processing.
      • Doing Process Handling.
      • Able to write Optimized Shell Scripts.
      • Able to Debug Shell Scripts.
  • Linux Internals and System Programming Read More

    Linux is the generic name for a UNIX-like operating system that can be used on a wide range of devices from supercomputers to wrist-watches. The Linux kernel is released under an open source license, so anyone can read and modify its code. It has been modified to run on a large variety of electronics. Although estimates suggest it is used on only 0.5-2% of all personal computers, it has been widely adopted for use in servers and embedded systems (such as cell phones). Linux has superseded UNIX in most places, and is used on the 10 most powerful supercomputers in the world. Linux is used in some commonly used operating systems, such as Ubuntu, fedora and Google's Android.

    Linux Internals is the study of the Linux Kernel, its configuration and its various modules.

    • By the end of this module you should be:
      • Able to do Linux System Programming with ease.
      • Comfortable with Linux 2.6.xx version and any flavor.
      • Having good understanding about Linux Internals.
      • Able to Customize and Install Linux for Development.
      • Understanding and doing Linux System Administration.
  • Linux Device Drivers Read More

    In computing, a device driver or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a hardware device.
    A driver typically communicates with the device through the computer bus or communications subsystem to which the hardware connects. When a calling program invokes a routine in the driver, the driver issues commands to the device. Once the device sends data back to the driver, the driver may invoke routines in the original calling program. Drivers are hardware-dependent and operating-system-specific. They usually provide the interrupt handling required for any necessary asynchronous time-dependent hardware interface.

    A device driver simplifies programming by acting as translator between a hardware device and the applications or operating systems that use it. Programmers can write the higher-level application code independently of whatever specific hardware device.

    • By the end of this module you should be:
      • Able to understand Loadable Kernel Modules and its Interfaces.
      • Understanding architecture for any kind of Device Drivers.
      • Able to Add or remove LKMs into the Kernel.
      • Implement LKMs or Device Drivers from scratch.
      • Implementing few Basic Device Drivers during the training from scratch.
      • Understanding and implementing Some Advanced Device Drivers during the training from scratch.
      • Able to interpret the data-sheets and implement Device Drivers accordingly.
      • Able to Debug and optimize Device Drivers for any devices.
  • Embedded & Network Protocols Read More

    There are rules governing how data is transferred, how they are compressed, how they are presented on the screen and so on. These set of rules are called protocols. There are many protocols, each one governing the way a certain technology works.

    An agreed-upon format for transmitting data between two devices. The protocol determines the following:

    • the type of error checking to be used
    • data compression method, if any
    • how the sending device will indicate that it has finished sending a message
    • how the receiving device will indicate that it has received a message

    There are a variety of standard protocols from which programmers can choose. Each has particular advantages and disadvantages.

    • By the end of this module you Should be:
      • Able to understand and implement various protocols
      • Comfortable with FTP, SPI, RS232, I2C, CAN, TCP/IP, USB and Bluetooth protocols.
  • Embedded Linux with ARM Read More

    The ARM is a 32-bit reduced instruction set computer (RISC) instruction set architecture (ISA) developed by ARM Holdings. It was known as the Advanced RISC Machine. The ARM architecture is the most widely used 32-bit ISA in terms of numbers produced. The relative simplicity of ARM processors made them suitable for low power applications. This has made them dominant in the mobile and embedded electronics market, as relatively low cost, and small microprocessors and microcontrollers.

    Embedded Linux is the use of Linux in embedded computer systems such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants, media players, set-top boxes, and other consumer electronics devices, networking equipment, machine control, industrial automation, navigation equipment and medical instruments.

    Linux has been ported to a variety of processors not always suited for use as the processor of desktop or server computers, such as various CPUs including ARM, AVR32, ETRAX CRIS, FR-V, H8300, IP7000 , m68k, MIPS, mn10300, PowerPC,SuperH, or Xtensa processors, as an alternative to using a proprietary operating system and toolchain.

    The advantages of embedded Linux over proprietary embedded operating systems include no royalties or licensing fees, a stable kernel, a support base that is not restricted to the employees of a single software company, and the ability to modify and redistribute the source code.

    There are non-proprietary embedded operating systems that share the open-source advantages of Linux, without the memory requirements that make Linux unsuitable for many embedded applications.

    We would try to port Linux onto ARM Based Boards.

    • By the end of this module you should be:
      • Able to make choices for Embedded Linux.
      • Equipped to setup an ARM based Platform.
      • Able to understand the Linux Boot Process and Boot Loader.
      • Able to build your own Tool chain for ARM.
      • Be Able to Make your own Root File system for ARM based Embedded Linux.
      • Be able at Install Standard Applications for Embedded Linux.
      • Able to configure and Compile your own Linux kernel for Linux on ARM.
      • Able to customize, configure and port your own Embedded Operating System.
      • Write your own applications for Embedded Linux on ARM.
• After the training is over, you should be:
  • Able to write and implement shell scripts
  • Efficient with respect to system programming concepts
  • Well versed with Linux Internals
  • Having driver level understanding in Linux
  • Able to Write Drivers from scratch
  • Able to interpret  data sheets for deices
  • Understand majot embedded and Network protocols like SPI, RS232, I2C, CAn, TCP/IP, USB and Bluetooth
  • Understand the ARM Architecture.
  • Equipped to setup an ARM based Platform.
  • Able to build your own Tool chain for ARM.
  • Able to configure and Compile your own Linux kernel for Linux on ARM.
  • Write your own applications for Embedded Linux on ARM
• The Duration of the Training is:
  • 60 Sessions of 2 hrs each with unlimited Hands on and access to Lab during the training