Get To Know Yocto Linux on Embedded Platform

In this technical session, we will provide an in-depth exploration of the Yocto Project, the gold standard open-source platform for creating customized Linux distributions, specialized for embedded devices. By attending this session, you'll gain hands-on experience with core Yocto technologies and common tasks using the popular BeagleBone Black platform.


1. Introduction to the Yocto Project
Brief history and motivation behind the project, and how its architecture built its importance in embedded Linux development due to its flexibility and maintainability.


2. Setting Up Your First Build Environment
Step-by-step guide on creating a basic build using QEMU for simple bootstrapping without hardware. Based on that, board selection and the concept of a Linux distribution are demonstrated.


3. Package Selection & Creation with Bitbake Recipes
Explanation of bitbake recipes (.bb files) and their role in defining software metadata, forming metadata layers. Creating a custom image package selection and writing a simple recipe for packaging own software.

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4. Software Component Patching
Importance of patching in embedded Linux development for bug fixes and hardware adaptations. Understand the patch creating and application process within the Yocto build, as well as automated source preparation.


5. Hardware Abstraction with Device Tree Overlays
Explanation of device tree overlays as a mechanism to enable support for various peripherals and board configurations. The device tree defines the specific hardware for a Linux distribution to run on. A demonstration of adding an EEPROM to the BeagleBone Black and interacting with it is given.


6. Revision Control & Collaboration with kas
Introduction to kas, a tool to manage maintainable Yocto-based build setups within git repositories. The build setup so far is augmented with the required configuration and put under revision control.


7. Remote Software Updates with Mender
Introduction to Mender, an open-source over-the-air update solution integrated with Yocto Project for remote software updates in embedded Linux devices.


Learning objectives by the end of this session, attendees will have:
Hands-on experience with setting up Yocto build environments and managing custom Linux distributions

A solid understanding of key Yocto concepts such as bitbake recipes, device tree overlays, metalayers, kas, and Mender

Practical knowledge on how to implement software component patching, hardware abstraction, and remote software updates in embedded Linux development. 

Due to the often time-consuming nature of building custom Linux distributions from source, the session will not focus on working along but provide full instructions for replicating as a personal follow up.