Linux for ARM on TS-72XX Series SBC's

Technologic Systems is proud to support the Linux Operating System on our Single Board Computers. Here you will find information on support and manuals, linux kernels and distributions, application development, and other resources related to the GNU/Linux OS running on our TS-72XX ARM based products.

SUPPORT

Linux Documents

TS-ARM Linux CD

The TS-ARM Linux CD is an useful resource for TS-72XX users and developers. It contains the supporting files for Linux, including the TS-Kernel source code, sample applications, cross toolchain tarballs, Linux distributions, manuals, and other Linux utilities and binaries of interest. The files mentioned on the Linux for ARM User's Guide are all included on this CD. The TS-ARM CD is distributed with the TS-ARM Development Kit.

TS-ARM Development Kit

The TS-ARM Development Kit is an out-of-the-box solution that includes all equipment required to boot into the Linux OS and start working. It is highly recommended for a quick start on application development with Linux and TS-72XX computers.

Mailing List

The TS-7000 Yahoo mailing list is a self help group for the TS-7000 series SBC's running the Linux for ARM OS. The group aims to help other users with hardware and software issues. This is a great place to get information from experienced embedded engineers using TS-7000 boards in a wide variety of embedded applications.

Subscribe to the TS-7000 series mailing list!

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Technologic Systems FTP Server

Technologic Systems makes a wide variety of supporting files for TS-72XX SBC's and Linux for ARM available for downloading through its FTP server.


LINUX FOR THE ARM9 EP9302 PROCESSOR

The ARM processor (the EP9302) comes from Cirrus and the platform is very similar to the Cirrus EDB9302 evaluation board. Cirrus has strongly promoted running Linux on this chip and has done most of the legwork in creating a patch set to the Linux 2.4 kernels, but we have also had to modify the Linux Kernel (TS-Kernel) so it can support the 8MB on-board Flash chip (via mtd drivers), the compact flash IDE driver, and the A/D converter. If you want to use Linux and aren't tied to the x86 architecture, the TS-7000 boards can be very cost-effective.

The EP9302 processor from Cirrus is the highly integrated 200Mhz ARM9 processor that the TS-7000 SBCs are built around and includes an on-chip 10/100 ethernet, USB, serial, and Flash/SDRAM controller. For example, on the TS-7200 model there is 32 Mb of Micron SDRAM running at 66 Mhz and 8 Mb of Intel Strata flash on-board. A supplemental PLD provides glue logic, watchdog timer, Compact Flash IDE, and 8 bit PC/104 support. Integer CPU performance is about 20% faster than our 133 Mhz x86 offerings.

TS-Kernel 2.4

The TS-Kernel is currently based upon the Kernel version 2.4.26, patched for the Cirrus EP9301 ARM920T processor, similar to the EDB9301 platform. It includes specific modifications to completely support the TS-7000 computers. Technologic Systems is constantly improving the TS-Kernel -- the latest versions are:

    • ts8 version with TS-7250 support - TS-Kernel source and modules (03-01-2005)
    • ts9 version with TS-7260 support - TS-Kernel source and modules (10-27-2005)
    • ts10 version with TS-7300 support - TS-Kernel source and modules (04-10-2006)
    • ts11 version(TS-72xx & TS-7300) - last stable - TS-Kernel source and modules (07-05-2006)
    • ts11 version(TS-7400) - last stable - TS-Kernel source and modules (03-02-2007)

    Kernel 2.6

    Technologic Systems offers the 2.6 Kernel for the TS-72XX series as a option for customers. Information on how to get the 2.6 Kernel running on the TS-72XX platform can be found here. (11-16-2007)

Real-Time extension - RTAI support

The TS-Kernel features real-time extension through the ADEOS and "Classic" RTAI 3.2 (Magma branch) support for the EP9301 ARM9 processor, providing an advanced environment for the development of real-time applications with embedded Linux . The RTAI API is available for real-time programming in both kernel space and user space (LXRT scheduler). This port allows developers to build automation real-time control systems with inexpensive TS-7000 hardware.


LINUX DISTRIBUTIONS

TS-Linux

The TS-7000 SBC's are shipped standard with the TS-Linux embedded distribution installed in the on-board Flash memory. TS-Linux is a compact Linux distribution, based on Busybox, ideal for small footprint systems and used as a demonstration OS on the TS-7000 computers.

Debian Linux

Since the TS-7000 ARM9 CPU is a PC-class processor in everything but power consumption and performance, it has no problem running real PC-class operating systems such as Linux. By running the full version of Linux, the TS-7000 SBCs can run the entire suite of applications contained in the Debian Linux distribution including the compilers for embedded development.

The Debian is a full-featured and powerful Linux distribution mostly based upon GNU tools. It includes everything necessary to easily run Linux. In addition, various original Linux utilities and installation tools are available to make system utilization and packages updating easy. The default Debian Linux distribution provided by Technologic Systems contains compilers and everything needed for developing applications in C, C++, PERL, PHP, and SH. Java, BASIC, TCL, Python and others are also available for Debian, but not installed by default. However, one can easily update the system with the desired software via the apt-get tool.


ADDITIONAL LINUX DEVELOPMENTS BY TS

 

APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

Eclipse IDE

C/C++ Sample Applications

Cross toolchain for Linux

Cross toolchain for Cygwin