Faysal AzizFA-0184DevOps, Cloud & Infrastructure
Embedded Linux and Device Driver Mastery
From Bootloader to Kernel Driver, Practical Embedded Linux on Real Beaglebone Black
Introduction
Why this course
Introduction
Embedded Linux systems power industrial controllers, robotics platforms, smart devices, and countless production systems. Understanding how Linux boots, how it interfaces with hardware, and how device drivers integrate into the kernel is no longer optional for serious embedded developers.
This 3-day intensive program focuses exclusively on practical implementation using the Beaglebone Black platform. Participants will move from understanding the boot sequence and filesystem construction to developing kernel modules, character drivers, platform drivers, and working with Device Tree. The training is delivered by an instructor with over 30 years of industry experience, ensuring the content reflects real-world engineering practices and industry demand rather than purely academic theory.
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain and demonstrate the Linux boot process on the Beaglebone Black
- Configure bootloaders, kernels, and root filesystems
- Build minimal embedded Linux systems using Busybox and Buildroot
- Interface peripherals using GPIO and I2C
- Develop and compile Linux kernel modules
- Implement character device drivers
- Create and manage multiple device nodes
- Develop platform drivers
- Understand and integrate Device Tree with drivers
- Work with Device Tree overlays
- Use the Linux device model and sysfs within drivers
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
Participants should have:
- Basic knowledge of Linux command line usage
- Basic C programming skills
- Familiarity with compiling programs in Linux
- Access to a Beaglebone Black board (recommended for hands-on practice)
Training outline
14 modules
·
011. Beaglebone Black Overview and Environment Setup6 topics
- Board architecture and hardware overview
- Peripheral interfaces and connectivity
- Serial communication setup
- Terminal tools configuration
- Ubuntu host setup using VirtualBox
- Host-to-target communication setup
022. AM335x Architecture and Linux Boot Process7 topics
- AM335x functional block overview
- Boot requirements and boot modes
- ROM bootloader sequence
- SPL role and functionality
- U-Boot overview and configuration
- Linux kernel boot process
- Boot logs analysis
033. Booting Techniques and System Configuration8 topics
- Booting Linux from eMMC
- Booting Linux from SD card
- Updating system images
- Serial boot procedure
- TFTP boot configuration
- Linux Device Tree basics
- uEnv.txt configuration
- initramfs overview
044. Embedded Linux Tools and Build Systems5 topics
- Busybox architecture and compilation
- Busybox configuration
- Buildroot introduction
- Buildroot configuration
- Generating minimal root filesystems
055. Peripheral Interfacing on Beaglebone Black10 topics
- GPIO subsystem overview
- GPIO programming techniques
- I2C subsystem overview
- Using I2C tools
- LED interfacing
- 7-segment display interfacing
- LCD interfacing
- MPU6050 sensor interfacing
- Tilt sensing implementation
- EEPROM programming
066. Device Driver Development Environment5 topics
- Host system preparation for driver development
- Toolchain setup
- Disk partitioning using gparted
- Kernel preparation for module development
- Target board setup for driver testing
077. Linux Kernel Module Fundamentals8 topics
- Kernel space vs user space
- Structure of a Linux kernel module
- Module initialization and exit macros
- Writing a basic Hello World module
- Compiling kernel modules
- Makefile structure for kernel modules
- Inserting and removing modules
- Inspecting module information
088. Character Device Driver Development11 topics
- Introduction to character devices
- Allocating device numbers
- Registering character devices
- File operations structure
- Implementing open function
- Implementing read function
- Implementing write function
- Implementing lseek
- Creating device files
- Testing character drivers
- Cleanup routines and error handling
099. Pseudo Character Drivers and Multiple Devices5 topics
- Designing a pseudo character driver
- Memory management within driver
- Handling multiple device instances
- Creating multiple device nodes
- Testing multiple character devices
1010. Platform Drivers7 topics
- Platform bus architecture
- Platform device registration
- Platform driver registration
- Matching devices and drivers
- Implementing platform driver probe
- Implementing platform driver remove
- Testing platform drivers
1111. Device Tree Fundamentals5 topics
- Device Tree purpose and structure
- Node hierarchy
- Properties and syntax
- Parent and child node relationships
- Compiling Device Tree sources
1212. Device Tree and Driver Integration4 topics
- Binding drivers with Device Tree
- Writing compatible strings
- Parsing Device Tree properties in drivers
- Testing Device Tree based drivers
1313. Device Tree Overlays4 topics
- Concept of overlays
- Overlay creation
- Integrating overlays with bootloader
- Testing overlays on target
1414. Linux Device Model and Sysfs6 topics
- Overview of Linux device model
- kobjects fundamentals
- sysfs structure
- Creating sysfs entries in drivers
- Defining driver attributes
- Testing sysfs attributes
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