PPC-E4-3354_User_Manual.docx
-13-
Rev 1.0 © 2016 EMAC, Inc.
3
Software
The PPC-E4-3354 offers a wide variety of software support from both open source and proprietary sources. The
Module hardware core utilizes the TI AM3354 processor, which is supported by Linux.
For more information on Linux Software Support, please visit the EMAC Wiki Software Section at:
http://wiki.emacinc.com/wiki/product_wiki
3.1
U-Boot
EMAC utilizes Das U-Boot for its ARM based products. U-Boot is an open source/cross-architecture platform
independent bootloader. It supports reading and writing to the flash, auto-booting, environmental variables,
and TFTP. Das U-boot can be used to upload and run and/or reflash the OS or to run stand-alone programs
without an OS. Products are shipped with a valid MAC address installed in flash in the protected U-boot
environmental variable “ethaddr”. At boot time U-Boot automatically stores this address in a register within the
MAC, which effectively provides it to any OS loaded after that point.
3.2
Embedded Linux
EMAC Open Embedded Linux is an open source Linux distribution for use in embedded systems. The EMAC
OE Linux Build is based on the Open Embedded (
www.openembedded.org
) Linux build system. Open
Embedded is a superior Linux distribution for embedded systems. Custom Linux builds are also available on
request.
The distribution contains everything a user could expect from a standard Linux kernel: powerful networking
features, advanced file system support, security, debugging utilities, and countless other features.
The basic root file system includes:
Busybox
Hotplugging support
APM utilities for power management
Openssh SSH server
lighttpd HTTP server
JJFS2 or EXT4 file system with utilities
3.2.1 Linux with Xenomai Real Time Extensions
Xenomai provides real time extensions to the kernel and can be used to schedule tasks with hard deadlines
and
s latencies. The Xenomai build is an additional module that can be added to the standard Linux kernel
and is available for a one-time inexpensive support/installation fee.
http://www.xenomai.org/
3.2.2 Linux Packages
EMAC provides support for many Linux Packages such as: PHP, SQLite, Perl, SNMP, DHCP Server, etc. As
with the Xenomai Package, other Packages can be added to the standard Linux file system and are available
for a one-time inexpensive support/installation fee.
3.2.3 Linux Patches
In addition to standard Embedded Linux support, EMAC has released a number of patches and device drivers
from the open source community and from internal EMAC engineering into its standard distribution. Along
with kernel patches, EMAC provides the binaries for the kernel and root file system.