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Linux® OS for MPUs

Support for Mainline Linux® OS for Your Microprocessor-Based Embedded Designs

The Linux Operating System (OS) is used extensively in digital applications, largely due to its long-standing history as one of the most reliable, secure and worry-free operating systems available. Our microprocessors (MPUs) and the Linux OS have gone hand in hand since 2002 when we introduced our first MPU, the AT91RM9200.

By supporting mainline Linux, we provide a way for you to receive the full support of the open-source community to create high-quality solutions. We have been mainlining our kernel, bootloader and drivers since 2004, and mainlining has become a centerpiece of our Linux strategy because of the value it brings to users. Using Long-Term Support (LTS) Linux kernels provides access to kernel maintenance. Linux provided by Microchip facilitates software portability between each kernel release and eliminates the need to update drivers.

Key Benefits of Using Linux With Our MPUs

  • Device tree support
  • Yocto and Buildroot build environments
  • Solid and proven peripheral drivers
  • Large developer community
  • Security updates
  • Maintaining multiple stable kernels
Visit Our Linux4SAM Website
Learn About Developing With Embedded Linux
Video

Start Prototyping With Linux

We recommend you use the ATSAM5D27-SOM1-EK1 evaluation kit to get started with Linux on our MPUs. Watch this video to explore the potential of the combined hardware and software platform for developing embedded Linux applications based on the SAMA5D2 family of MPUs.

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Design Resources

Yocto Project Logo

Yocto Project

The Yocto Project® is an open source collaboration project that provides templates, tools, methods and documentation to help developers create Linux-based systems for embedded products. The free tools make getting started easy, are powerful to work with (including emulation environments, debuggers, an Application Toolkit Generator, etc.) and allow projects to evolve across all stages of development from prototype to production.

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BuildRoot Logo

Buildroot

Buildroot is a simple, efficient and easy-to-use tool to generate embedded Linux systems through cross-compilation. Buildroot is an open-source project with daily contributions from developers.

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Bootloader Icon

AT91Bootstrap and U-Boot

AT91Bootstrap is the second-level bootloader for our MPUs. It provides a device support package to manage the hardware initialization, such as clock speed configuration, PIO settings and DRAM initialization.

U-Boot (Universal-Bootloader) is a third-level bootloader. It configures the main interfaces like USB and Ethernet and launches the Linux operating system. U-Boot facilitates the initial board bring-up and software development phase.

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OpenWrt Logo

OpenWrt

OpenWrt is an open-source project for embedded operating systems based on Linux, primarily used on embedded devices to route network traffic. All components have been optimized to be small enough to fit into the limited storage and memory available in existing in-home routers.

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