Book Image

Mastering Embedded Linux Programming - Third Edition

By : Frank Vasquez, Chris Simmonds
5 (3)
Book Image

Mastering Embedded Linux Programming - Third Edition

5 (3)
By: Frank Vasquez, Chris Simmonds

Overview of this book

If you’re looking for a book that will demystify embedded Linux, then you’ve come to the right place. Mastering Embedded Linux Programming is a fully comprehensive guide that can serve both as means to learn new things or as a handy reference. The first few chapters of this book will break down the fundamental elements that underpin all embedded Linux projects: the toolchain, the bootloader, the kernel, and the root filesystem. After that, you will learn how to create each of these elements from scratch and automate the process using Buildroot and the Yocto Project. As you progress, the book will show you how to implement an effective storage strategy for flash memory chips and install updates to a device remotely once it’s deployed. You’ll also learn about the key aspects of writing code for embedded Linux, such as how to access hardware from apps, the implications of writing multi-threaded code, and techniques to manage memory in an efficient way. The final chapters demonstrate how to debug your code, whether it resides in apps or in the Linux kernel itself. You’ll also cover the different tracers and profilers that are available for Linux so that you can quickly pinpoint any performance bottlenecks in your system. By the end of this Linux book, you’ll be able to create efficient and secure embedded devices using Linux.
Table of Contents (27 chapters)
1
Section 1: Elements of Embedded Linux
10
Section 2: System Architecture and Design Decisions
18
Section 3: Writing Embedded Applications
22
Section 4: Debugging and Optimizing Performance

Prototyping with breakout boards

Now that we have SPI working on the BeagleBone Black, let's turn our attention back
to the GPS module. Before we can wire up the SparkFun ZOE-M8Q GPS Breakout, we need to do some soldering. Soldering requires desk space, materials, and a considerable time investment.

To perform the soldering for this project, you will need the following items:

  • A soldering iron (adjustable temperature) with a conical tip
  • Any one of the following: a silicone car dashboard anti-slip mat, a silicone baking mat, or a ceramic tile
  • A fine (0.031-inch gauge) electrical rosin core solder
  • A soldering iron stand
  • A wet sponge
  • A wire cutter
  • Safety glasses
  • A Helping Hands tool, along with a magnifying glass and an LED light
  • An X-Acto #2 knife with a #2 blade or #1 knife with a #11 blade

These items are nice to have but not necessary:

  • An insulated silicone soldering mat
  • solder wick
  • A brass sponge
  • Sticky tack...