AM335x on custom board

Marco Destro

Hi all

I'm beginning to develop on my new custom board instead of a prototyping platform like the beaglebone black.

The custom board designed by the senior engineer is strongly based on BBB. But it's NOT the same. Some reset lines is handled by an FPGA and some more changes has been done. For now, i'm not aware of any changes.

It 's very likely that I need to change some things on the Linux distribution.

What are the first steps to work on a custom board?!

It's the first time that I work without a Ti development board.

Any help is highly appreciated.

Marco

over 12 years ago

0 Miroslav Kiradzhiyski XID over 12 years ago

TI__Mastermind 25235 points

Hi Marco,

You can use our SDK and modify the software to suit your board. The current version is 06.00.00.00 and it is based on kernel 3.2. You can download it from here: http://software-dl.ti.com/sitara_linux/esd/AM335xSDK/latest/index_FDS.html

Kernel 3.2 uses board config files for the board initialization. The board config file for our EVMs (BBB is also partially supported) is <linux_dir>/arch/arm/mach-omap2/board-am335xevm.c. Take a look at this file for more information.

The new SDK, based on kernel 3.12, which uses device trees instead of board config files, and with full support for BBB is expected to be released at the end of 2014Q1.

Here is the Sitara AM335x Portal where you will find lots and lots of useful information: http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/Sitara_AM335x_Portal

Best regards,
Miroslav

0 Marco Destro over 12 years ago in reply to Miroslav Kiradzhiyski XID

Intellectual 590 points

Thanks A lot Miroslav :)

I try to follow your tips.

How do I know what is the state of the micro during boot? Until now, in the case of beaglebone black, it was possible to monitor the boot steps by the UART0. But in this case , it would be possible to do the same thing (or something like that)?

Do you think that a JTAG emulator tool like the XDS200 is useful?!

Best regards

MArco

0 Miroslav Kiradzhiyski XID over 12 years ago in reply to Marco Destro

TI__Mastermind 25235 points

The boot log is by default available on UART0, you can change it to another UART interface if you wish. You can always attach to the UART0 interface and listen to the output. I don't know how this is implemented on your custom board but in the case of BeagleBone Black I guess you were using a Serial-to-USB converter. On the BeagleBone (White) there is a on-board FTDI chip, so no serial-to-usb converter is needed.

The XDS200 is OK to use with the AM335x.

Best regards,
Miroslav

0 Marco Destro over 12 years ago in reply to Miroslav Kiradzhiyski XID

Intellectual 590 points

Ook , thanks again Miroslav! :)

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AM335x on custom board