Embedded Linux Systems with the Yocto Project

As embedded systems grow more complex, developers are integrating full-fledged operating systems into them. Linux is an especially attractive option: it supports virtually all hardware architectures and many peripherals, scales well, offers full source code, and requires no royalty payments. However, building custom versions of Linux for new embedded systems has traditionally been difficult. The Yocto Project simplifies and streamlines every step of the process -- and this expert primer will help you make the most of it. An indispensable companion to the official documentation, it offers "in the trenches" insights you won't find anywhere else.

Leading embedded systems developer Rudolf Streif gives you a solid grounding in the basics, then guides you through more advanced topics -- ranging from building board support packages to managing compliance. You'll master the Yocto Project toolbox by working through the entire development lifecycle on a realistic project: a distributed home automation system consisting of multiple embedded devices with diverse functionality, all communicating via networking infrastructure. As you use Poky and the OpenEmbedded Core metadata layer to create a custom embedded Linux distribution, you'll master all this, and more:

• Setting up your build environment
• Using Application Development Toolkit (ADT) to integrate with the powerful Eclipse development workbench
• Utilizing the Poky Build System and its HOB graphical frontend
• Laying out system components, including structure, directories, and files
• Using Bitbake Task Executor and its recipes to build entire Linux distros, including toolchains
• Running basic builds for emulated targets
• Custoimizing Linux systems, adding packages, configuring kernels, and developing board support packages (BSP)
• Including your own software packages with image targets
• Maintaining a common software base while supporting different CPU architectures and hardware configurations
• Managing licensing and compliance, including tracking licenses, filtering non-conformant licenses, and enabling commercial code

• Overcome key challenges of creating custom embedded distributions
• Jumpstart and iterate OS stack builds with the OpenEmbedded Build System
• Master build workflow, architecture, and the BitBake Build Engine
• Quickly troubleshoot build problems
• Customize new distros with built-in blueprints or from scratch
• Use BitBake recipes to create new software packages
• Build kernels, set configurations, and apply patches
• Support diverse CPU architectures and systems
• Create Board Support Packages (BSP) for hardware-specific adaptations
• Provide Application Development Toolkits (ADT) for round-trip development
• Remotely run and debug applications on actual hardware targets
• Ensure open-source license compliance
• Scale team-based projects with Toaster, Build History, Source Mirrors, and Autobuilder

Preface

1. Getting Started

2. Introduction to the Yocto Project

3. The Poky Build System

4. The Bitbake Task Executor

5. The Build Environment

6. Enough Theory Our Distributed Home Automation Project

7. Building Linux for Different Hardware Architectures

8. Troubleshooting

9. Customizing Linux Images

10. Metadata Layers

11. Kernel Recipes

12. Board Support Packages

13. Building Your Own Packages

14. Application Development Toolkit (ADT)

15. Open-source Licensing and Compliance

Appendices

Intel Atom E640T Fish River Island 2 Platform Details

Texas Instruments Beaglebone Platform Details

Overview of the IEEE 802.15.4 Zigbee Standard

Related Projects

Resources

Index