Embedded Linux Systems with the Yocto Project

Build Complete Embedded Linux Systems Quickly and Reliably

Developers are increasingly integrating Linux into their embedded systems: It supports virtually all hardware architectures and many peripherals, scales well, offers full source code, and requires no royalties. The Yocto Project makes it much easier to customize Linux for embedded systems. If you’re a developer with working knowledge of Linux, Embedded Linux Systems with the Yocto Project™ will help you make the most of it.

An indispensable companion to the official documentation, this guide starts by offering a solid grounding in the embedded Linux landscape and the challenges of creating custom distributions for embedded systems. You’ll master the Yocto Project’s toolbox hands-on, by working through the entire development lifecycle with a variety of real-life examples that you can incorporate into your own projects.

Author Rudolf Streif offers deep insight into Yocto Project’s build system and engine, and addresses advanced topics ranging from board support to compliance management.

You’ll learn how to

• Overcome key challenges of creating custom embedded distributions
• Jumpstart and iterate OS stack builds with the OpenEmbedded Build System
• Master build workflow, architecture, and the BitBake Build Engine
• Quickly troubleshoot build problems
• Customize new distros with built-in blueprints or from scratch
• Use BitBake recipes to create new software packages
• Build kernels, set configurations, and apply patches
• Support diverse CPU architectures and systems
• Create Board Support Packages (BSP) for hardware-specific adaptations
• Provide Application Development Toolkits (ADT) for round-trip development
• Remotely run and debug applications on actual hardware targets
• Ensure open-source license compliance
• Scale team-based projects with Toaster, Build History, Source Mirrors, and Autobuilder

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Linux for Embedded Systems
Chapter 2. The Yocto Project
Chapter 3. OpenEmbedded Build System
Chapter 4. BitBake Build Engine
Chapter 5. Troubleshooting
Chapter 6. Linux System Architecture
Chapter 7. Building a Custom Linux Distribution
Chapter 8. Software Package Recipes
Chapter 9. Kernel Recipes
Chapter 10. Board Support Packages
Chapter 11. Application Development
Chapter 12. Licensing and Compliance
Chapter 13. Advanced Topics

Appendix A. Open Source Licenses
Appendix B. Metadata Reference