Embedding Linux on the Encore Simputer

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Embedding Linux on the Encore Simputer

• Samyeer Metrani
• Encore Software Limited

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Agenda

• The Encore Simputer
• Building an ARM Linux Kernel
• Porting to the Encore Simputer
• Porting the 2.6-test9 kernel

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The Encore-Simputer
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The Encore Simputer

• 206Mhz StrongARM Processor
• 32-64 MB DRAM 16-32MB Flash
• LCD Panel Color/Mono Display
• TouchPanel Input
• Internal Mic Speaker
• USB Slave and Serial Port PC Connectivity
• Smartcard Interface
• V.90 Internal Modem
• USB Master
• Compact Flash (CF II)

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What is on the Simputer?

• Stock Linux ARM Kernel
• glibc 2.2.4
• XWindows 4.2 and Related X Libraries
• GTK 1.2 Libraries
• Networking Tools
• PPP, ftp, telnet,
• Utilities and Feature Demos

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Tools Needed

• The ARM Toolchain
• Using the skiff toolchain
• Other pre-built toolchains
• ftp//ftp.arm.linux.org.uk/pub/armlinux/toolchain/
  
  
• Building a toolchain.

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Building an ARM-Linux Kernel

• Selecting a Platform
• The Assabet Platform
• The Linux Kernel
• www.kernel.org
• Russel Kings Patches
• www.arm.linux.org.uk
• Building the first kernel
• Cross Compilation Support
• Makefile Modifications.

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Running the Kernel

• The Bootloader
• BLOB www.lart.tudelft.nl
• bootldr - http//www.handhelds.org/projects/cvspro
  j.html?projectbootldr
  
• What does the bootloader do
• Processor and Memory initialisation
• Setup a serial console
• Load kernel (and ramdisk)
• Bootloader support for the kernel.

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Adding a new architecture

• Registering a Machine Type
• www.arm.linux.org.uk/developer/machines/
• arch/arm/tools/mach-types
• Modifying the configuration menu
• Creating a default configuration
• Booting the First Kernel
• Turning on Kernel Debug.

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Getting the Kernel Booting

• Bootloader specific initialisation
• Kernel Notes
• http//www.arm.linux.org.uk/developer/kernelnotes.
  shtml
  
• Modifying Configure.help
• Building a kernel patch.

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Machine Specific Initialisations

• Architecture specific initialisation
• esl_simputer.c, esl_simputer.h
• Makefile Modifications
• Board specific Initialisations
• DRAM Support
• Flash MAPS
• Bringing up the display
• Building a new patch.

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What next

• Hardware Interfaces
• Peripheral Support
• Touchpanel
• Audio Support
• Keypad Support
• RTC Support
• USB, Compact Flash
• Kernel 2.6

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Porting the 2.6-test9 kernel

• Why 2.6 kernel?
• Toolchain Differences
• 2.95.3, 3,3,1
• Bootloader Support
• Configuration Files.

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Thank You

• Samyeer Metrani