Hi,

i'm quite new here, and still student, with a little linux experience.

I'm doing a project about running Linux on a AT91SAM9260 board that I'm going to design.

I've read a lot of stuff and I manage to do a first shopping list for components :
• AT91SAM9260
• SDRAM 64MB Samsung K4S561632D (datasheet)
• NAND Flash Hynix H27US08121B
• PHY: KS8721BL

I would like to have an advice about this choice... and moreover, my big question is : will I be able to find appropriate drivers for the PHY for example? ( I saw that there are "included" in the last patch from Atmel.. but is it free?) Will the RAM be compatible?

My question is not for the "electronic part" but more for "the linux part".

Furthermore, if anyone has a good guide/website/group to start with...

Thanks a lot and please feel free to ask for details if needed (or move this post if not the appropriate section).

Sorry for bad English, I'm French

Hi Howimboe,

there is a Evaluation-Kit from Atmel with the same processor (AT91SAM9260-EK).
Atmel provides a schematic and ohter usefull documents on their Homepage.

The processor and components on this board are well supported under Linux.

So I would recommend to take the EK-design as a reference.

Michael

Michael,

thx for the rapid answer, very appeciated !

I saw that during my researches and yes, it's part of my plan.

This is the reason why I ask if parts like another PHY Controller or amemory change would be very difficult (I have no particular knowledge of drivers ) speaking of Linux implementation( question because I want to order on Farnell and they don't have DM9161AEP (PHY)or K9F2G08U0A (NAND))

In a nutshell : do I have to search for new drivers or will it be compatible/included in the same linux kernel? Is adapting a driver very difficult? Is there any generic driver?

Not sure but for the NAND it should be easy (change parameters only) whereas for the PHY, it could be hard...

By the way, could anyone tell me the size of minimum flash/ram needed to run linux (for small network apps applications)?

Again, thanks you very much

I also build a custom board with the AT91SAM9260 processor and the KSZ8721BL.
You don't have to worry about the driver. The PHY is supported through a generic Linux driver, which is already included in the mainline kernel (with Patch for AT91 from maxim.org.za).

Michael

And for the nand is it the same? aka can I use another brand with same characteristics?

(Hynix H27US08121B for example)
Paul

I don't know. I don't have a NAND-Flash on my board.

Michael