Hello all,

I want to buy the AT91RM9200EK in order to install linux. I know approximately how to get, patch, configure and compile the kernel. But what is the way to load it ?

What cable (JTAG or BDM,...?) do I need to load the bootloader in flash ? (Then the kernel)?

Do I need to buy a software for one of the following task :

compiling the kernel, loading the kernel in flash, loading applications, debugging...

Thank you for any help,

Jean Lee

Hi,

The AT91RM9200EK is provided with u-boot in the flash. So you are able to download your code using the u-boot features.
If you need to made your development using Linux, firstly you have nothing to buy.
On the AT91 CD-ROM (downloadable from the forum home page, and provided with the EK), the cross compiler is provided, the u-boot sources and patches.
The AT91RM9200EK Linux distribution is available on the AT91 forum, there is an announcement. That will allow you to save development time.

by

Hello,

Thank you for your answer but I will develop my own application : there will be nothing in flash when I will receive it.

I just see an application note on the ATMEL site explaining how to load u-boot in the external Flash of the AT91RM9200DK with the internal BootROM of the AT91RM9200 (embedded in the 58A07F version)

Is it possible to use this method with the AT91RM9200EK ?
What is the 58A07F version?

There is another method with the Slingshot interface and MULTI Software from Greenhills. What are the advantages of this interface ? Do I need it to configure the Linux Kernel and develop under Linux ?

Thank you for any help

Jean Lee

Hi Jeanlee,
yes it is possible.

The EK board has two SDCARD like slots. One slot supports ATMEL Data Flash Cards. The AT91RM9200 can boot from data flash.

You have to set some jumpers for booting from the external memory.



You doesn't need a special cable for loading the bootloader. But you can use JTAG tools if you want.
One other possibility is to use the serial port for downloading. Take a look into the at91rm9200 data sheet. (section Boot program).


Not for the first steps.
compiling - you need a GNU compiler and a linux host, prebuild images are available (take a look on the resources site of www.at91.com
loading - can be done by uboot via tftp or mount a nfs partition which is located on your host pc
debugging - use "printk" or "print" for this (there are also kernel debugger, but i do not know something about this)
loading applications - using the ethernet for this or build your own flash disk image, based on the atmel image and transfer it to the board (using uboot).

Best regards,
Edi