The Linux Embedded System Design Workshop for ARM and ARM+DSP covers the development of a generic ARM and ARM+DSP application.  The first two and a half days concentrate primarily on Linux/ARM development while the last day and a half focus on accelerating signal processing algorithms (ARM or DSP-based algorithms).  

While the lab exercises implement a generic audio/video application, the skills learned in the course are applicable to a wide range of application spaces. The side benefit, though, is that we can see how the video peripherals on these devices (i.e.DaVinci DM6446) greatly accelerate video applications and their development (allowing video to be used in systems where it may not have previously been practical. 

This course examines the software architectures used with TU's various SOC processors: DM646x, DM3x, OMAP35x, AM35x, AM18x, AM37/DM37xx, and OMAP-L1xx.  

Beginning with an overview of the family and device architecture, this workshop builds a generic audio/video system which allows exploration of data input/output as well as creating Linux multi-threaded environments. Once data is passing through the system, we practice calling algorithms on that data - both local (ARM-based) algorithms, as well as remote (DSP-based) algorithms.  The workshop ends with an examination of packaging algorithms using DMA in algorithms, and an overview of DSPLink.

The workshop focuses on applications which plan to use TI's ARM or ARM+DSP software model: 

• ARM running embedded Linux
• DSP running DSP/BIOS
• Signal processing (and IPC) via Codec Engine (VISA  API)
• Signal Processing Layer (CODECs and algorithms) built using xDM/xDAIS API
• Building programs with GNU Make (gMake) and TI's Real-Time Software XDC Tools

Course Author’s Official Wiki site:

Click“HERE” to go to the author’s official wiki site to read the most up-to-date info and contents for this workshop. The author posts all documentation (student guide and powerpoint slides) as well as all lab and solution files.

 Workshop Outline

Section 1:  Introduction

1.  ARM / ARM+DSP Devices Overview

2.  Intro to TI's Foundation Software

3.  Geting Started with the Tools: Introduction to Linux, VMware, and U-Boot

         Lab: Configure U-Boot and boot the DVEVM

4.  Tools Overview

Section 2: Application Coding

5.   Building Programs with gMake 

         Lab: Building programs with gMAKE and (Configuro)

6.  Device Driver Introduction

         Lab: Given: File ↔ Audio; Build: Audio In  →  Audio Out

7.  Video Drivers  

         Lab: Setup an On-Screen Display (scrolling banner)  

                  Video In → Video Out

8.  Multi-Threaded Applications

         Lab: Concurrently run audio and video loop-thru programs 

Section 3: Using the Codec Engine

9.  Local codecs:  Using a Given Engine

         Lab: Use a provided Engine (containing local codecs)

10. Local Codecs:  Building an Engine 

         Lab: Build an Engine (given local codecs)    (END Sitara 3 day ARM workshop)

 

CONTINUE with Davinci/OMAP ARM+DSP portion 

11. Remote Codecs:  Given a DSP Server

         Lab: Use remote codecs (using a provided DSP server).

                     * Swap out video_copy codec for real H.264 codec

12. Remote Codecs:  Building a DSP Server

         Lab: Build a DSP Server (given DSP-based codecs)

         Lab: Optional: use dot-product routine from C6Accel 

Section 4:  Algorithms

13.  Authoring an xDAIS and xDM Algorithm      

          Lab: Build a DSP algorithm and test it in CCS (in Windows), then put your algo into a DSP server and call it from Linux  

14.  Optional: Using EDMA3 and ACPY3  

15.  Optional: Introduction to DSP/BIOS Link protocol

 

United States Pricing and Schedule - Schedule TBA

Europe          

For any further demand of this workshop in Europe, please submit your request here. 

For any questions please contact asktexas@ti.com 

Thank you - EMEA training organization.

 Prerequisites

While these prerequisites are not officially required, we offer them as guidance for the skills used in this workshop.  Enhancing your knowledge in these areas before the workshop should help you get the most from your Texas Instruments' workshop experience. 

Required

• Some knowledge of C programming
• Basic Linux skills (i.e. shell commands, etc.)

Recommended

• Basic Linux programming (processes, threads, etc)
• Embedded system basics (memory map, linking, etc.) 

Nice to have   

• C6x DSP Programming
• Understanding of Linux device drivers
• Video Application/System knowledge

Not Required

• No H/W design experience is required

  Testimonials of past workshop participants

      (Names and company information withheld for confidentiality)

"This workshop greatly reduces the learning curve and provides a good view of where to start and what is available."

"This workshop is wonderfully organized. The lab progression is excellent. It was a great experience."

 "This workshop has helped me get a complete grasp of the DaVinci. I have a board and have been coding it some before this point. The course helped solidify my understanding."  

"This workshop has taught me, in a very short time, all the things that the DaVinci technology can do for me. Now I have confirmation that our choice of DaVinci is an excellent match for our project needs."   

 Course Details 

• European and USA Multi-day workshops are conducted in English
• Classes begin at 8:30 a.m. and run through 5:30 p.m. each day.
• You can expect to finish class between 2:00pm - 4:00pm on the final day. 

 Cancellation Policy

• European classes are subject to cancellation if minimum number of attendees is not met one week prior to the date of the workshop.  
• US classes are subject to cancellation if minimum number of attendees is not met two weeks prior to  the date of the workshop.  
• Minimum = 5   Maximum = 12 
• Please note that in the event of short notice cancellation Texas Instruments liability is limited solely to the refund of the workshop fees.