# README.FIRST.ronetix # Shows the main steps to create an working embedded environment. # The embedded environment consist of hardware, OS, software build and debug # tools. Developing on AT91SAM9G45/AT91SAM9263/AT91SAM9261 based boards: # PM9G45, PM9263 and PM9261. # # Ronetix GmbH # www.ronetix.at # October, 2011 # The following list of points contains information how it to prepare software insurance for the Ronetix modules and starter kits. Each point includes instructions, put in a separate files forming a step-by-step guide and some times has a descriptive functions rather than step-by-step instructions. Some points have to be done once like the one for the Toolchains while others (like for the Linux kernel and U-Boot) could be done many times. This manual talks about all Ronetix CPU modules and where there is a difference, it is noted. In these set of files there are three of them README-pm9g45, README-pm9263 and README-pm9261 which contains refined data for the particular CPU module, you may start from it. Suggestions and feedbacks are welcome. 1. Before you start The instructions in the README files are meant to be done under GNU/Linux environment. 1.1. Connecting to the boards A serial terminal connection through RS-232 null modem cable is needed to control U-Boot and GNU/Linux. To set up U-Boot run time a serial terminal connection must be used, this is the only way you can get access to the U-Boot command line. The Linux boot messages are transmitted to the same serial connection. The Serial Debug interface is set to 115200 bps with 8 data bits, one stop bit and no parity. Use the screen command like this "screen /dev/ttyS0 115200 cs8,-cstopb,-parenb" or minicom utility. 1.2. Networking As tftp or ftp servers are needed call your system/network administrator to give you the settings. The IP address can be obtained using DHCP service or set statical IP. After the IP address is set and know, a link to the board running GNU/Linux can be made with telnet. 1.3. Names The project OpenEmbedded is a software framework used to create Linux distributions aimed for, but not restricted to, embedded devices. Such distribution is KaeilOS used in the Ronetix CPU modules. The bitbake provides the recipes and OpenEmbedded(OE for short) provides the meta data, they works together. Similar such projects are LTIB (Linux Target Image Builder) and Buildroot. Linux kernel(known as Linux) is the main part of an Linux based Unix-like operating systems. Alone itself is not so much usable so userland software like GNU set of softwares is needed. Linux kernel and the GNU stuff forms the GNU/Linux operating system. U-Boot is a boot loader, a program used to set up a board and prepare it to be used by Linux kernel. It has a command prompt letting you to update update the system software via Ethernet. AT91BootStrap is a tiny program meant to be written on a one NAND block, on a SD card, Data or SPI flashes. It is run by the AT91 Boot ROM code, and the it is powerful enough to boot second stage bootloder or even Linux kernel. 2. Toolchains README-toolchains.ronetix Instructions how to install provided toolchains(SDK), a "hello world" example and crating SDK from OpenEmbedded. 3. Bootloaders README-at91bootstrap.ronetix README-u-boot.ronetix A small and simple but powerful enough startup programs to prepare the hardware to boot an Operating System or standalone application. 4. Linux Kernel README-linux_kernel.ronetix On to of the bare hardware Linux kernel provides software abstraction layers to create portable and powerful applications. 5. Root file system README-OpenEmbedded.ronetix The build framework for embedded Linux, it supports many hardware architectures and includes different GNU/Linux distributions. The Ronetix modules works with KaeilOS Distribution. 6. File image programming README-programming.ronetix Instructions how to burn image files to the NOR and/or NAND memories. The files can be programed using PEEI, SAM-BA or U-Boot. 7. Develop and Debugging README-develop.ronetix How to cross compile a "hello world" program and transfer it to the board. It also contains an example how to debug Linux kernel. 8. Real Time README-real_time.ronetix Shows how to build Linux kernel 2.6.28.10 with Xenomai for PM9263. 9. List of set of already build images README-pre-built_images.ronetix 10. A collected instructions for a particular board These three files have the refined data form the above point for the particular CPU module and you may start from it. README-pm9g45 README-pm9263 README-pm9261 11. Windows CE The files below provide step-by-step for a Windows CE operating system, for a specific board. README-WinCE-pm9263.Ronetix README-WinCE-pm9g45.Ronetix All names and trademarks are property of their respective owners. Note: Unique file identification The name of the files should be descriptive and easy to remember and use. Sometimes their names are not enough to distinguish files, so file SHA256 message digest(check sum) will be used to identify them, in some cases the UUID(universally unique identifier) could be used. Check md5sum.txt and sha256sum.txt.