eMMC support for WEC2013 and WEC7 community BSP

Posted on 7/8/2014 8:57 AM By dvescovi

eMMC support is now added to the Beaglebone BSP on Codeplex. eMMC memory is the modern day replacement for bulk NAND memory typically used on embedded devices. eMMC memory, sometimes called managed NAND, has several advantages over traditional NAND memory like: 1. A standard SD bus interface. 2. Expandable capacity using the same hardware footprint. 3. Security features. 4. Indirect memory access. For these reason, as well as several others, eMMC memory is quickly replacing native NAND memory in most all embedded devices. Each eMMC device contains a smart controller which handles internal memory management functions. Things like wear leveling, error detection and corrections are now done on the device. These are tasks that use to be done on the host processor in the flash management layer and were the source of much frustration. As the NAND devices got bigger the ECC (Error Correction Code) algorithm had to change to support different geometries. This led to constant code changes and updates. Also, beca ...

Beaglebone Community BSP gets LCD support

Posted on 6/25/2014 11:13 AM By dvescovi

The Beaglebone platform is a great platform for learning Windows Embedded Compact. The platform is based on the Texas Instruments AM335X A8 ARM processor and has fantastic expansion capabilities. In addition to the standard I2C, SPI and serial ports it also has the ability to host “cape’s” expansion boards. Capes are custom peripheral boards that “piggy back” on the Beaglebone or Beaglebone Black base board. Capes come in all sorts’ flavors containing peripherals such as cell modems, LCD displays, accelerometers, FPGA’s, WIFI, RF ID readers and cameras. Here is a listing of more capes. The latest release of the community BSP now contains support for the LCD4 480x272 LCD display. This cape also has a resistive touch screen and 5 UI control buttons also supported in the BSP. One unique feature of a properly designed cape is that it must contain a “personality” EEPROM. This EEPROM is programmed at the factory and contains information such as, a serial number, a model number, how many and what GPIO expan ...

BeagleBone BSP code clean up

Posted on 6/11/2014 11:26 AM By dvescovi

Many of the Board Support Packages (BSPs) for Windows Embedded that I have seen over the years tend to have several drawbacks. Some lack the full complement of drivers, others only come with binary code. Some show little, if any signs, of ever being tested. I can understand the underlying reason for some of these issues but one that is rather irritating is the lack of a consistent coding style. You would think that at least within an individual BSP a single, consistent coding style could be followed. Most times this is not the case. Over the years different developers work on different pieces, each imposing their own coding style (instead of taking the time and effort to learn the existing style and following the existing norm). Also, as more platforms based on the same SOC come on line, we tend to just “add on” adding deeper levels of abstraction, adding more compile time and macro directives. While it can be argued this is what makes modern day programming so powerful, it also adds “code bloat”, slows down ...

BeagleBone Board Support Package now a community project

Posted on 6/2/2014 5:20 AM By dvescovi

The BeagleBone platform now has a community supported board support package (BSP) on Codeplex.

The BSP currently supports Windows Embedded Compact 7 with a Windows Embedded Compact2013 version in the works.

I2C, SPI, Serial and many other drivers supported. Source code available for download so you can build and customize your own image.