Adding New Platforms

PetaLinux ships with a number of reference designs and platforms, for existing evaluation and prototyping FPGA boards.

Typically, users will want to create their own platforms, to support their own hardware. This process is described here.

Note that while PetaLogix AutoConfig technology automates the board bringup process to an unprecendented degree, board-bringup is still a specialised skill. The goal of this Section is to describe how to introduce a new platform to the PetaLinux build environment - it is not a complete user guide in board bringup.

For professional board-bringup services, please contact PetaLogix to discuss your requirements.

Using `petalinux-new-platform' Script

The 'petalinux-new-platform' script automates the new platform creation process minimising the need for manul setup. The usage information can be found in the PetaLinux Tools Section.

Use the 'petalinux-new-platform' script to create a new vendor and platform combination for your target system.

$ cd $PETALINUX/software/petalinux-dist
$ petalinux-new-platform -v MyVendorName -p MyPlatformName -k 2.6
New platform for MyVendorName MyPlatformName successfully created

The above example will create a new platform "MyPlatformName" under the new vendor "MyVendorName" for the 2.6 kernel. Substitude these values as per appropriate.

Selecting the New Vendor Platform

The new vendor and platform can be selected in the Vendor/Product Selection kernel configuration menu.

The new platform should appear in the 'Vendor/Product Selection' menu.

  ┌─────────────────────── Vendor/Product Selection ────────────────────────┐
  │  Arrow keys navigate the menu.  <Enter> selects submenus --->.          │
  │  Highlighted letters are hotkeys.  Pressing <Y> includes, <N> excludes, │
  │  <M> modularizes features.  Press <Esc><Esc> to exit, <?> for Help.     │
  │  Legend: [*] built-in  [ ] excluded  <M> module  < > module capable     │
  │ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
  │ │             --- Select the Vendor you wish to target                │ │
  │ │             (MyVendorName) Vendor                                   │ │
  │ │             --- Select the Product you wish to target               │ │
  │ │             (MyPlatformName) MyVendorName Products                  │ │
  │ │                                                                     │ │
  │ │                                                                     │ │
  │ │                                                                     │ │
  │ │                                                                     │ │
  │ │                                                                     │ │
  │ │                                                                     │ │
  │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
  ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
  │                    <Select>    < Exit >    < Help >                     │
  └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Save and exit the configuration menu.

As this is the first time this vendor and platform is selected, the kernel configuration tool will prompt the user for answers to wether certain configuration needs to be included. The user can simply press "Enter" to all the prompt.

The configuration used for the new platform at the moment is a default configuration. This default configuration provide the user with a baseline to start configuring their platform, so as to shorten the configuration process.

Configuring the New Platform

Configuring a new platform is specific to each vendor. Hence, this chapter will only discuss platform customization that is common to all new platform.

Synchronise Hardware Configuration using AutoConfig

The new platform configuration needs to include the actual hardware configurations instead of the default values. The 'petalinux-copy-autoconfig' script automates this process. Refer to the PetaLinux Tools Section for more information on using the 'petalinux-copy-autoconfig' script.

It is assummed that the new hardware project is already included into PetaLinux.

Use the 'petalinux-copy-autoconfig' script to update the new platform configuration.

$ cd $PETALINUX/hardware/my_new_hardware_project
$ petalinux-copy-autoconfig
INFO: Attempting vendor/platform auto-detect
INFO: Auto-detected MyVendorName/MyPlatformName combination.
Auto-config file successfully updated for MyVendorName MyPlatformName

In the above example, the hardware configuration is sourced from the 'my_new_hardware_project' directory. Substitude this value for your new hardware project directory.

Configuring System Settings

PetaLinux include a 'System Settings' menu that contains all the platform specific configurations. Refer to the System Settings Menu chapter for more information on configuring your new platform.

Set your platform specific configurations in the System Settings menu.

Other Configurations

The new platform is now configured with the approriate system configurations. It may be required for the user to follow on with more specific kernel and user application configurations.