Booting Linux Using Prebuilt SD Card Image

how to create an SD card using pre-compiled Linux binaries package and use it to boot Linux on the Arrow SoCKit Evaluation board

Pre-requisites

The following items will be needed in order to succesfully get started with Linux on the Arrow SoCKit Evaluation board:

• Arrow SoCKit Evaluation board (including required accessories).
• Host computer running Linux or Windows. See HostRequirements.
• External USB micro SD card reader (or host computer with built-in micro SD card reader). Alternatively a micro SD to SD card adapter can be used if the host PC or the reader has a SD slot but no micro SD slot.
• 4GB (or larger) micro SD or micro SDHC card.

Creating an SD Card using a Linux Host

This section explains how to create the SD card necessary to boot Linux, using the SD card image.

The steps required to create the SD card are:

1. Download the Linux SD card image archive: sd_image_sockit_20150228.tar.gz (MD5)
2. Extract the Linux SD card image from the binaries archive: $ tar -xzf sd_image_sockit_20140902.tar.gz
3. Determine the device associated with the SD card on the host by running $ cat /proc/partitions before and after inserting the card in the reader. Let's say it is /dev/sdx/ .
4. Use dd utility to write the SD image to the SD card: $ sudo dd if=sd_image_sockit_20150228.img of=/dev/sdx bs=512 . Note we are using sudo to be able to write to the card.
5. Use sync utility to flush the changes to the SD card: $ sudo sync

Creating an SD Card using a Windows Host

This section explains how to create the SD card necessary to boot Linux, using the SD card image.

The steps required to create the SD card are:

1. Download the Linux SD card image archive: sd_image_sockit_20150228.tar.gz (MD5)
2. Extract the Linux SD card image from the binaries archive: $ tar -xzf sd_image_sockit_20150228.tar.gz
3. Get Disk Imaging software: Win32diskimager
4. Insert the SD Adaptor. Use Windows Explorer to determine the drive letter.
5. Select the Image File. Navigate to sd_image_sockit_20150228.img
6. Press the Write Button.

Configuring the Board

This section presents the necessary board settings in order to run Linux on the Arrow SoCKit Evaluation Board.

• Configure the BOOTSELECT and CLOCKSELECT jumpers as shown in the figure below.
• BOOTSELECT[2:0] = 101, CLOCKSELECT[1:0] = 00

SW6 is found on the bottom side of the SoCKit Evaluation Board. It is used to set the FPGA configuration mode.

• Set MSEL[0:4] = 01010 (Fast Passive Parallel (FPP) x32 compressed mode).

Connect the cables and power supply

Please connect cables to the connectors shown in the diagram below. All cables are provided in your SoCKit.

• Connect the micro USB cable to the micro USB UART connector (J4) on the SoCKit.
• Connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet connector (J11) on the SoCKit.
• Insert the micro SD card into the socket on the underside of the SoCKit.
• Connect the 12V power supply cable to the board power connector (J12).

Configuring the Serial Connection for a Linux Host

The board has a built-in USB to Serial converter chip that allows the host computer to see the board as a virtual serial port, usually named /dev/ttyUSB0 .

Ubuntu has built-in drivers for the USB to Serial converter chip that is on the Arrow SoCKit Evaluation board, so no driver installation is necessary.

In order to determine the device name associated with the virtual serial port, please perform the following:

1. Use the command $ ls/dev/ttyUSB* to determine which USB serial devices are already installed.
2. Power up the board using the switch SW5. The board LEDs will turn on.
3. Use the command $ ls /dev/ttyUSB* again to determine which new USB serial device appeared.
4. Configure the minicom application to connect over this serial port, and use 115,200 baud, 1 stop bit, no CRC and no flow control (usually referred to as "115200-N-1")

Configuring the Serial Connection for a Windows Host

The board has a built-in USB to Serial converter chip that allows the host computer to see the board as a virtual serial port, usually named COMx .

Windows has built-in drivers for the USB to Serial converter chip that is on the Arrow SoCKit Evaluation board, so no driver installation is necessary.

In order to determine the COM port associated with the virtual serial port, please perform the following:

1. Open the Device Manager
2. Power up the board using the switch SW5. The board LEDs will turn on.
3. Locate the Ports (COM & LPT) category. Expand it to reveal the USB Serial Port (COMx) assignment.

PuTTY is a popular terminal emulator. Download it from www.putty.org

Configure PuTTY as shown in the figure below.

Booting Linux from a Linux Host

This section presents how to boot Linux on the board. The required steps are:

1. Prepare SD card
2. Configure Board
3. Configure Minicom
4. Start Minicom - it will use the defined configuration
5. Power up board (or, if already powered up, press (KEY6) Warm reset button or power cycle)
6. Minicom will show Linux booting, then ask for the username. Enter root then press ENTER. No password will be required.

Booting Linux from a Windows Host

This section presents how to boot Linux on the board. The required steps are:

1. Prepare SD card
2. Configure Board
3. Download and install PuTTY
4. Start PuTTY and then configure it.
5. Power up board (or, if already powered up, press (KEY6) Warm reset button or power cycle)
6. PuTTY will show Linux booting, then ask for the username. Enter root then press ENTER. No password will be required.