Configuring a Hardware Platform for Linux - 2024.2 English

PetaLinux Tools Documentation: Reference Guide (UG1144)

Document ID
UG1144
Release Date
2024-11-13
Version
2024.2 English

You can create your hardware platform with AMD Vivado™ tools. Regardless of how the hardware platform is created and configured, a few number of hardware IP and software platform configuration settings are required to make the hardware platform Linux ready. These are described as follows:

Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC and Versal Adaptive SoC

The following is a list of hardware requirements for an AMD Zynq™ UltraScale+™ MPSoC and an AMD Versal™ adaptive SoC hardware project to boot Linux:

  • External memory of at least 2 GB (required).
  • UART for serial console (required).
  • Non-volatile memory, such as QSPI flash and SD/MMC. This memory is optional, without it, only the JTAG boot can work.
  • Ethernet (optional, essential for network access).
Important: If a soft IP with an interrupt or an external PHY device with an interrupt is used, ensure the interrupt signal is connected.

Zynq 7000 Devices

The following is a list of hardware requirements for a Zynq 7000 hardware project to boot Linux:

  • One Triple Timer Counter (TTC) (required).
    Important: If multiple TTCs are enabled, the Zynq 7000 Linux kernel uses the first TTC block from the device tree. Make sure others do not use the TTC.
  • External memory controller with at least 512 MB of memory (required).
  • UART for serial console (required).
  • Non-volatile memory, such as QSPI flash and SD/MMC. This memory is optional, but only the JTAG boot can work.
  • Ethernet (optional, essential for network access).
Important: If a soft IP is used, ensure the interrupt signal is connected. If a soft IP with an interrupt or an external PHY device with an interrupt is used, ensure the interrupt signal is connected.

MicroBlaze processors (AXI)

The following is a list of requirements for a MicroBlaze™ ™ hardware project to boot Linux:

  • IP core checklist:
    • External memory controller with at least 512 MB of memory (required)
    • Dual channel timer with interrupt connected (required)
    • UART with interrupt connected for serial console (required)
    • Non-volatile memory such as Linear Flash or SPI Flash (required)
    • Ethernet with interrupt connected (optional, but required for network access)
  • MicroBlaze processor configuration:
    • MicroBlaze processor initial boot loader fs-boot needs a minimum of 4 KB of block RAM for parallel flash and 8 KB for SPI flash when the system boots from non-volatile memory.
Note: PetaLinux only supports 32-bit MicroBlaze processors.
Note: Do not disable any instruction set-related options enabled by the template unless you understand the implications of such a change.