Comprehensive Real-World Guidance for Every Embedded Developer and Engineer
This book brings together indispensable knowledge for building efficient, high-value, Linux-based embedded products: information that has never been assembled in one place before. Drawing on years of experience as an embedded Linux consultant and field application engineer, Christopher Hallinan offers solutions for the specific technical issues you're most likely to face, demonstrates how to build an effective embedded Linux environment, and shows how to use it as productively as possible.
Hallinan begins by touring a typical Linux-based embedded system, introducing key concepts and components, and calling attention to differences between Linux and traditional embedded environments. Writing from the embedded developer's viewpoint, he thoroughly addresses issues ranging from kernel building and initialization to bootloaders, device drivers to file systems.
Hallinan thoroughly covers the increasingly popular BusyBox utilities; presents a step-by-step walkthrough of porting Linux to custom boards; and introduces real-time configuration via CONFIG_RT--one of today's most exciting developments in embedded Linux. You'll find especially detailed coverage of using development tools to analyze and debug embedded systems--including the art of kernel debugging.
• Compare leading embedded Linux processors
• Understand the details of the Linux kernel initialization process
• Learn about the special role of bootloaders in embedded Linux systems, with specific emphasis on U-Boot
• Use embedded Linux file systems, including JFFS2--with detailed guidelines for building Flash-resident file system images
• Understand the Memory Technology Devices subsystem for flash (and other) memory devices
• Master gdb, KGDB, and hardware JTAG debugging
• Learn many tips and techniques for debugging within the Linux kernel
• Maximize your productivity in cross-development environments
• Prepare your entire development environment, including TFTP, DHCP, and NFS target servers
• Configure, build, and initialize BusyBox to support your unique requirements
3.2.6. AMD MIPS
3.2.6. AMD MIPS
Advanced Micro Devices also plays a significant role in the embedded MIPS controller market. The company's 2002 acquisition of Alchemy Semiconductor garnered several popular single-chip integrated SOCs based on the MIPS32 core and architecture. The Alchemy line from AMD is based on the popular MIPS32 core. All feature relatively low power dissipation and a high level of onboard system integration.
The Au1000 and Au1100 operate at clock rates of 266-500MHz. Both feature onboard SDRAM controllers and separate bus controllers for attachment to external devices such as Flash and PCMCIA. Table 3-8 summarizes the current Alchemy product line.
Table 3-8. AMD Alchemy MIPS Highlights Summary
| Feature[22] |
Au1000 |
Au1100 |
Au1200 |
Au1500 |
Au1550 |
|---|
| Core/speeds |
MIPS32 266-500MHz |
MIPS32 333-500MHz |
MIPS32 333-500MHz |
MIPS32 333-500MHz |
MIPS32 333-500MHz |
| DRAM controller |
SDRAM |
SDRAM |
DDR SDRAM |
SDRAM |
DDR SDRAM |
| Ethernet 10/100 |
2 |
1 |
|
2 |
2 |
| GPIO lines |
32 |
48 |
48 |
39 |
43 |
| UARTs |
4 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| USB 1.1 |
Host + device |
Host + device |
USB 2.0 |
Host + device |
Host + device |
| AC-97 audio |
1 |
1 |
Via SPC |
1 |
Via SPC |
| I2S controller |
1 |
1 |
Via SPC |
|
Via SPC |
| SD/MMC |
N |
2 |
2 |
N |
N |
