Difference between revisions of "CM-T54: Linux: Kernel"

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(Git clone)
(Getting kernel sources)
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Current support coverage is specified at [http://compulab.co.il/operating-systems-and-drivers-for-cm-t54-and-sbc-t54/ O/S support coverage map] page.
 
Current support coverage is specified at [http://compulab.co.il/operating-systems-and-drivers-for-cm-t54-and-sbc-t54/ O/S support coverage map] page.
 
CompuLab provides ready-to-run binary kernel images, and source code of the modifications and additions made to the Linux kernel to work properly with CM-T54 modules.
 
CompuLab provides ready-to-run binary kernel images, and source code of the modifications and additions made to the Linux kernel to work properly with CM-T54 modules.
 +
 +
== Device Tree ==
 +
 +
Device Tree (DT), is a data structure and language for describing hardware. More specifically, it is a description of hardware that is readable by an operating system so that the operating system doesn't need to hard code details of the machine.
 +
 +
A device tree file, named *.dts, is a text file that describes the hardware platform. It is compiled into a device tree blob, *.dtb, which is loaded into memory before the Linux kernel is started. The Linux kernel then uses that device tree blob to initialize itself at runtime.
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 +
CM-T54 DT related files are :
 +
 +
* {{filename | arch/arm/boot/dts/omap5-cm-t54.dts }} - CM-T54 core CoM Device Tree
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* {{filename | arch/arm/boot/dts/omap5-sbc-t54.dts }} - SBC-T54 single board computer (eval board) Device Tree
 +
 +
For more details visit official [http://devicetree.org/Device_Tree_Usage Device Tree WiKi] pages and make an overview of a [http://events.linuxfoundation.org/sites/events/files/slides/petazzoni-device-tree-dummies.pdf  Device Tree tutorial]
  
 
== Building kernel for CM-T54 ==
 
== Building kernel for CM-T54 ==
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=== Getting kernel sources ===
 
=== Getting kernel sources ===
We assume that you have created {{filename|/home/development/cm-t54/kernel}} directory for CM-T54 kernel development.
+
There are various ways to get Linux kernel sources that can be used as a baseline for CM-T54 kernel.
 +
For instance, a copy of linux-stable git tree can be created or a Linux kernel sources snapshot can be downloaded.
 +
 
 +
Assuming that the {{filename|/home/development/cm-t54/kernel}} directory structure has been created for CM-T54 kernel development.
 +
 
 +
==== Snapshot download ====
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* Download [https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/linux-3.16.2.tar.gz v3.16.2] snapshot with a web browser.
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* Extract the downloaded archive {{filename|linux-3.16.2.tar.gz}}
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<pre>
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cd /home/development/cm-t54/kernel
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tar xvf /path/to/downloaded/linux-3.16.2.tar.gz
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mv linux-3.16.2 linux-cm-t54
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</pre>
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: This will create {{filename|/home/development/cm-t54/kernel/linux-cm-t54}} directory containing linux kernel tree.
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* Apply the CM-T54 patch
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<pre>
 +
cd /home/development/cm-t54/kernel/linux-cm-t54
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patch -p1 < /path/to/cm-t54-linux/kernel/linux-3.16.2-cm-t54-3.patch
 +
</pre>
  
 
==== Git clone ====
 
==== Git clone ====
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git clone git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux-stable.git linux-cm-t54
 
git clone git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux-stable.git linux-cm-t54
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
* Create a branch for CM-T54 development. The CM-T54 patches are generated vs. v3.14.8 tag (0c5b3b80f7aeba9b8d25e12f7b321d148a1b1cb9 commit) in the Linux tree. It is recommended to use exactly the same baseline to avoid merge conflicts.
+
* Create a branch for CM-T54 development. The CM-T54 patches are generated vs. v3.16.2 tag (62de88e8e65811010deac5375f8f0d8b14dc4d94 commit) in the Linux tree. It is recommended to use exactly the same baseline to avoid merge conflicts.
 
<pre>
 
<pre>
 
cd /home/development/cm-t54/kernel/linux-cm-t54
 
cd /home/development/cm-t54/kernel/linux-cm-t54
git checkout -b cm-t54-dev v3.14.8
+
git checkout -b cm-t54-dev v3.16.2
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
 
* Apply the CM-T54 patch
 
* Apply the CM-T54 patch
 
<pre>
 
<pre>
git apply /path/to/cm-t54-linux/kernel/linux-3.14.8-cm-t54-2.patch
+
git apply /path/to/cm-t54-linux/kernel/linux-3.16.2-cm-t54-3.patch
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
  
{{Note|Future stable kernel versions of 3.14 can also be used by checking out any later tag of v3.14.y stable kernel tree.}}
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{{Note|Future stable kernel versions of 3.16 can also be used by checking out any later tag of the v3.16.y stable kernel branch.}}
  
 
=== Building the kernel ===
 
=== Building the kernel ===

Revision as of 07:46, 17 September 2014

Overview

Linux kernel for CM-T54 modules provides support for on-board peripherals and abstracts the functionality provided by the hardware. Current support coverage is specified at O/S support coverage map page. CompuLab provides ready-to-run binary kernel images, and source code of the modifications and additions made to the Linux kernel to work properly with CM-T54 modules.

Device Tree

Device Tree (DT), is a data structure and language for describing hardware. More specifically, it is a description of hardware that is readable by an operating system so that the operating system doesn't need to hard code details of the machine.

A device tree file, named *.dts, is a text file that describes the hardware platform. It is compiled into a device tree blob, *.dtb, which is loaded into memory before the Linux kernel is started. The Linux kernel then uses that device tree blob to initialize itself at runtime.

CM-T54 DT related files are :

  • arch/arm/boot/dts/omap5-cm-t54.dts - CM-T54 core CoM Device Tree
  • arch/arm/boot/dts/omap5-sbc-t54.dts - SBC-T54 single board computer (eval board) Device Tree

For more details visit official Device Tree WiKi pages and make an overview of a Device Tree tutorial

Building kernel for CM-T54

Cross-Compiler

There are several options for cross-compilation toolchain setup. You can either compile your cross-compiler or use an already built cross-compiler. The cross-compiler should support the ARM embedded-application binary interface ("EABI")

  • Pre-built toolchain (recommended):
  • Tools for creating cross-compilers:
    • Crosstool-ng: Builds a cross-compiler from source. Non-distribution specific.
    • Crossdev: Gentoo's cross-compiler builder. Needs Gentoo.

Getting kernel sources

There are various ways to get Linux kernel sources that can be used as a baseline for CM-T54 kernel. For instance, a copy of linux-stable git tree can be created or a Linux kernel sources snapshot can be downloaded.

Assuming that the /home/development/cm-t54/kernel directory structure has been created for CM-T54 kernel development.

Snapshot download

  • Download v3.16.2 snapshot with a web browser.
  • Extract the downloaded archive linux-3.16.2.tar.gz
cd /home/development/cm-t54/kernel
tar xvf /path/to/downloaded/linux-3.16.2.tar.gz
mv linux-3.16.2 linux-cm-t54
This will create /home/development/cm-t54/kernel/linux-cm-t54 directory containing linux kernel tree.
  • Apply the CM-T54 patch
cd /home/development/cm-t54/kernel/linux-cm-t54
patch -p1 < /path/to/cm-t54-linux/kernel/linux-3.16.2-cm-t54-3.patch

Git clone

  • Install git version control system.
  • Create a clone of linux kernel tree
cd /home/development/cm-t54/kernel
git clone git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux-stable.git linux-cm-t54
  • Create a branch for CM-T54 development. The CM-T54 patches are generated vs. v3.16.2 tag (62de88e8e65811010deac5375f8f0d8b14dc4d94 commit) in the Linux tree. It is recommended to use exactly the same baseline to avoid merge conflicts.
cd /home/development/cm-t54/kernel/linux-cm-t54
git checkout -b cm-t54-dev v3.16.2
  • Apply the CM-T54 patch
git apply /path/to/cm-t54-linux/kernel/linux-3.16.2-cm-t54-3.patch


Admolition note.png Future stable kernel versions of 3.16 can also be used by checking out any later tag of the v3.16.y stable kernel branch.

Building the kernel

export ARCH=arm
export CROSS_COMPILE=arm-none-linux-eabi-
make cm_t54_defconfig
make menuconfig
make && make zImage && make omap5-sbc-t54.dtb \
     INSTALL_MOD_PATH=/home/development/cm-t54/rootfs make modules_install

In the example above:

  • The Linux kernel image zImage will be created in /home/development/cm-t54/kernel/linux-cm-t54/arch/arm/boot
  • The Device Tree binary omap5-sbc-t54.dtb will be created in /home/development/cm-t54/kernel/linux-cm-t54/arch/arm/boot/dts
  • The loadable kernel modules will be installed into the /home/development/cm-t54/rootfs/lib/modules directory.

When the CM-T54 is booted with the kernel image and Device Tree binary created as described above and with networked root filesystem at /home/development/cm-t54/rootfs/, the system will be able to load the kernel modules properly, thus avoiding module version problems.

See also