Exploring Beaglebone - Tools and Techniques for Building With Embedded Linux

In-depth instruction and practical techniques for building with the BeagleBone embedded Linux platform
 
Exploring BeagleBone is a hands-on guide to bringing gadgets, gizmos, and robots to life using the popular BeagleBone embedded Linux platform. Comprehensive content and deep detail provide more than just a BeagleBone instruction manual-you'll also learn the underlying engineering techniques that will allow you to create your own projects. The book begins with a foundational primer on essential skills, and then gradually moves into communication, control, and advanced applications using C/C++, allowing you to learn at your own pace. In addition, the book's companion website features instructional videos, source code, discussion forums, and more, to ensure that you have everything you need.
 
The BeagleBone's small size, high performance, low cost, and extreme adaptability have made it a favorite development platform, and the Linux software base allows for complex yet flexible functionality. The BeagleBone has applications in smart buildings, robot control, environmental sensing, to name a few; and, expansion boards and peripherals dramatically increase the possibilities. Exploring BeagleBone provides a reader-friendly guide to the device, including a crash course in computer engineering. While following step by step, you can:
* Get up to speed on embedded Linux, electronics, and programming
* Master interfacing electronic circuits, buses and modules, with practical examples
* Explore the Internet-connected BeagleBone and the BeagleBone with a display
* Apply the BeagleBone to sensing applications, including video and sound
* Explore the BeagleBone's Programmable Real-Time Controllers
* Updated to cover the latest Beagle boards, Linux kernel versions, and Linux software releases.
* Includes new content on Linux kernel development, the Linux Remote Processor Framework, CAN bus, IoT frameworks, and much more!
 
Hands-on learning helps ensure that your new skills stay with you, allowing you to design with electronics, modules, or peripherals even beyond the BeagleBone. Insightful guidance and online peer support help you transition from beginner to expert as you master the techniques presented in Exploring BeagleBone, the practical handbook for the popular computing platform.

List of contents

Introduction xxix
 
Part I Beagle Board Basics 1
 
Chapter 1 The Beagle Hardware Platform 3
 
Introduction to the Boards 3
 
Who Should Use the Beagle Platform 6
 
When to Use Beagle Boards 7
 
When Should You Not Use the Beagle Boards 7
 
BeagleBone Documentation 8
 
The Beagle Hardware 10
 
BeagleBone Versions 10
 
The Beagle Hardware 12
 
Beagle Accessories 19
 
Highly Recommended Accessories 19
 
Headers for the PocketBeagle 20
 
Micro-SD Card (for Booting or Flashing eMMCs) 20
 
External 5V Power Supply (for Peripherals) 22
 
Ethernet Cable (for Wired BBB Network Connection) 22
 
HDMI Cable (for Connection to Monitors/Televisions) 22
 
USB to Serial UART TTL 3.3 (for Finding Problems) 23
 
Optional Accessories 24
 
USB Hub (to Connect Several USB Devices to a USB Host) 25
 
Micro-HDMI to VGA Adapters (for VGA Video and Sound) 25
 
Wi-Fi Adapters (for Wireless Networking) 25
 
USB Webcam (for Capturing Images and Streaming Video) 25
 
USB Keyboard and Mouse (for General-Purpose Computing) 26
 
Capes 26
 
How to Destroy Your Board! 27
 
Summary 29
 
Support 29
 
Chapter 2 Beagle Software 31
 
Linux on the Beagle Boards 32
 
Linux Distributions for Beagle Boards 32
 
Create a Linux Micro-SD Card Image 33
 
Communicating with the Boards 34
 
Installing Drivers 34
 
Wired Network Connections 35
 
Internet-over-USB (All Boards) 36
 
Regular Ethernet (BBB and BeagleBoard Only) 39
 
Ethernet Crossover Cable (BBB and BeagleBoard Only) 40
 
Communicating with Your Board 42
 
Serial Connection over USB 42
 
Serial Connection with the USB-to-TTL 3.3 V Cable 43
 
Connecting Through Secure Shell 44
 
Secure Shell Connections Using Putty 45
 
Chrome Apps: Secure Shell Client 45
 
Transferring Files Using Putty/psftp over SSH 46
 
Controlling the Beagle Board 48
 
Basic Linux Commands 48
 
First Steps 49
 
Basic File System Commands 50
 
Environment Variables 52
 
Basic File Editing 53
 
What Time Is It? 54
 
Package Management 56
 
Beagle-Specific Commands 58
 
Expand the File System on an SD Card 59
 
Update the Kernel 60
 
Interacting with the On-Board LEDs 61
 
Shutdown 63
 
Node.js, Cloud9, and BoneScript 64
 
Introduction to Node.js 64
 
Introduction to the Cloud9 IDE 66
 
Introduction to BoneScript 67
 
Summary 69
 
Further Reading 69
 
Chapter 3 Exploring Embedded Linux Systems 71
 
Introducing Embedded Linux 72
 
Advantages and Disadvantages of Embedded Linux 73
 
Is Linux Open Source and Free? 74
 
Booting the Beagle Boards 74
 
Bootloaders 74
 
Kernel Space and User Space 83
 
The systemd System and Service Manager 85
 
Managing Linux Systems 90
 
The Superuser 90
 
System Administration 92
 
The Linux File System 92
 
Links to Files and Directories 94
 
Users and Groups 95
 
File System Permissions 98
 
The Linux Root Directory 102
 
Commands for File Systems 103
 
The Reliability of SD Card/eMMC File Systems 111
 
Linux Commands 113
 
Output and Input Redirection (>, >>, and
 
Pipes (| and tee) 114
 
Filter Commands (from sort to xargs) 115
 
echo and cat 117
 
diff 118
&n

About the author

Dr. Derek Molloy is an Associate Professor in the School of Electronic Engineering at Dublin City University, Ireland. Derek produces a popular YouTube series on the BeagleBone platform and a wide variety of embedded Linux topics. His videos and personal blog have introduced millions of people to the BeagleBone, embedded Linux, and digital electronics.

Summary

In-depth instruction and practical techniques for building with the BeagleBone embedded Linux platform

Exploring BeagleBone is a hands-on guide to bringing gadgets, gizmos, and robots to life using the popular BeagleBone embedded Linux platform. Comprehensive content and deep detail provide more than just a BeagleBone instruction manual-you'll also learn the underlying engineering techniques that will allow you to create your own projects. The book begins with a foundational primer on essential skills, and then gradually moves into communication, control, and advanced applications using C/C++, allowing you to learn at your own pace. In addition, the book's companion website features instructional videos, source code, discussion forums, and more, to ensure that you have everything you need.

The BeagleBone's small size, high performance, low cost, and extreme adaptability have made it a favorite development platform, and the Linux software base allows for complex yet flexible functionality. The BeagleBone has applications in smart buildings, robot control, environmental sensing, to name a few; and, expansion boards and peripherals dramatically increase the possibilities. Exploring BeagleBone provides a reader-friendly guide to the device, including a crash course in computer engineering. While following step by step, you can:
* Get up to speed on embedded Linux, electronics, and programming
* Master interfacing electronic circuits, buses and modules, with practical examples
* Explore the Internet-connected BeagleBone and the BeagleBone with a display
* Apply the BeagleBone to sensing applications, including video and sound
* Explore the BeagleBone's Programmable Real-Time Controllers
* Updated to cover the latest Beagle boards, Linux kernel versions, and Linux software releases.
* Includes new content on Linux kernel development, the Linux Remote Processor Framework, CAN bus, IoT frameworks, and much more!

Hands-on learning helps ensure that your new skills stay with you, allowing you to design with electronics, modules, or peripherals even beyond the BeagleBone. Insightful guidance and online peer support help you transition from beginner to expert as you master the techniques presented in Exploring BeagleBone, the practical handbook for the popular computing platform.

Product details

• Authors: Molloy, Derek Molloy
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.01.2019
• EAN: 9781119533160
• ISBN: 978-1-119-53316-0
• No. of pages: 800
• Subject: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > IT, data processing > Operating systems, user interfaces