Advanced µClinux™on the Blackfin®

This course is designed for the Blackfin BF533, BF537 and multicore BF561 processors. Details of these systems are available on the blackfin site.

This is the first Advanced uClinux course

The next 2007 public class is to be held in Virginia Beach, USA
"The Advanced Blackfin Beach Bash" (Dec 4th - 8th, 2007 ) This is a 4 day class priced at $1895.00 US (paid in advance).


NOTE Dec 3rd, 2007 is also available as a "Really Quick Start Day" for newcomers. This day is priced at $550.00 per person for a single day. or $450.00 if added on to the Advanced class.

Development Computers

Please feel free to bring your own laptop running a suitable version of linux,(UBUNTU preferred) the Blackfin development system will be installed during the class.

Have 5G free disk space and at least a 400MHz/512Meg ram system with serial and parallel ports available (USB serial is OK).
Please bring along a Serial Port USB Adaptor (one that works with Linux)

Your Development systems MUST be already set up running Linux with the Blackfin uClinux development system installed.

SDCS can provide preconfigured laptops on loan if needed.

Currently tested versions of Linux include RedHat 9.0 , Fedora 6, Suse 9.x, 10.0, 10.1 10.2 Ubuntu 6.10 Other systems may work but please check prior to the class.

Blackfin Stamp Target systems will be provided on loan during the class.

Contact SDCS for more details.

Online registration is NOT working please email SDCS for registration information.

This course is designed to cover details of advanced Blackfin programming with µClinux.

As with all courses it is under continual improvement. Here is a description of the current course contents.

PLEASE NOTE This page is under development

Day 1

Blackfin Refresher

This section of the course covers the elements of building userland and kernel components.

A refresher of basic system components are covered including:

  • Tool Path
  • Libraries
  • User Code
  • Kernel
  • In Kernel Modules
  • External Kernel Modules
  • FDPIC

After taking this section the student will be reminded on how to create and configure all system components source and also use the tools more efficiently to build their embedded systems.

Das u-Boot

This section describes customizing and enhancing u-Boot on the Blackfin.
You will create your own Target and add commands

Topics covered include:

  • Creating your own Target System
  • Adding Commands
  • Serial / Parallel Flash Options
  • JFFS2 Images

After taking this section the student will be able to customize and extend the u-Boot bootloader.

Advanced Debugging

The Blackfin fully supports KGDBOE (KGDB over Ethernet)

This sections discusses configuring and setting up the debugger, creating debug macros, adding your own breakpoints and debugging kernel modules.

Details include:

  • KGDBOE system Configuration
  • Running KGDBOE
  • Breakpoints
  • Creating Macros
  • Debugging Modules
  • User Application debugging (with GDBServer)

After taking this section the student will be able to set up and automate debugging sessions including modules and user applications.

Day 2

Kernel Features

The Special Blackfin Features in the 2.6 Kernel are covered in this section.

This includes General 2.6 Features and some Special Blackfin options

Details include:

  • Interrupt Priority
  • L1 Memory Use
  • DMA Memory Zone
  • Tracing
  • Debug FileSystem
  • Watchdog Timer
  • Hardware Monitoring

After taking this section the student will be introduced to some of the special features on the 2.6 Kernel and some special Blackfin specific features

Blackfin DMA

This section provides details of the Blackfin DMA Interface including Device and Memory Transfer Systems

Details include:

  • DMA Overview
  • DMA Flow Options
  • DMA Descriptor Options
  • DMA Config
  • Cache Considerations
  • DMA test code

After taking this section the student will be able to configure and use the DMA systems in their own drivers.

Blackfin GPIO

This section provides details of the Blackfin GPIO interface

Details include:

  • GPIO Introduction
  • Multiplex Interrupts
  • Edge and Level Interrupts
  • Example Driver

After taking this section the student will be able to configure and use the GPIO devices and associated interrupts.

Blackfin SPI

This section provides details of the Blackfin SPI interface

Details include:

  • SPI Overview
  • SPI Chip Select
  • Setup of SPI Devices
  • SPI Testing

After taking this section the student will be able to configure and use the SPI interface including adding additional devices.

Day 3

Sport Driver

This section provides a detailed introduction to the Blackfin Sport Driver.

Details include:

  • Sport Overview
  • Sport Setup and Configuration
  • Simple Sport Test Driver
  • High Speed Operation
  • Special Blackfin Drivers

After taking this section the student will be able to create and install a customized sport device driver.

PPI Driver

This section provides a detailed introduction to the Blackfin PPI Driver.

Details include:

  • PPI Overview
  • PPI Frame Syncs
  • PPI Configuration
  • PPI input
  • PPI output
  • LCD Driver example
  • Special Blackfin Drivers

After taking this section the student will be able to create and install a customized PPI device driver.

Streaming Input/Output

This section provides a introduction to methods for handling Streaming Data.

Details include:

  • IO Channels Overview
  • Setting up an IO Channel
  • DMA input DMA output
  • External Device Interface
  • Network Interface Options

After taking this section the student will be able to create and install a high speed io data streams.

Day 4

BF561 Introduction

This section introduces the features available on the multicore 561 processors.

Details include:

  • Working with multicore devices (561)
  • Loading Core B Applications
  • Controlling Core B Applications
  • Full 561 SMP

After taking this section the student will be introduced to multicore processing and other special features available on these Blackfin Systems.

Real Time Systems

This section introduces the Real Time Linux Patch.

Details include:

  • Adding the Real Time Patch
  • Real Time Performance
  • Testing The Real Time Patch
  • Adding Real Time functions
  • Performance Validation

After taking this section the student will be introduced to Real Time option and its components.

System Profiling

The Opfofile system will be introduced

  • Introduction to Oprofile
  • Configuring Oprofile
  • Using Oprofile
  • Oprofile Results

After taking this section the student will be able to configure and use the Oprofile system.

Class Size

The attendance is limited to approximately 10 people. This allows good personal attention during the class.

Cost

The USA classes is offered at $1895.00 (to be paid in advance)

Registration

Contact SDCS for more details

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