Viosoft and KwikByte have teamed on a sub-$500 embedded Linux development kit for ARM920T-based devices. The kit includes KwikByte's KB9202 development board and Viosoft's Arriba Embedded Linux Edition toolsuite, and can be used for end-to-end development and debug from Linux or Windows hosts, the companies say.

(Click for larger view of KwikByte KB9202 board)

The KB9202 board

The KB9202 development board is based on Atmel's AT91RM9200 SoC, which features an ARM920T core clocked at 180MHz. The board includes 32 MB SDRAM, 16 MB Flash, an SD/MMC slot, USB 2.0 host and device ports, 10/100 Ethernet, five serial channels (two multiplexed on the 9-pin connector), monochrome graphic LCD interface, IrDA transceiver, temperature sensor, 16 KB EEPROM, RTC, DMA, SPI flash sites, three user LEDs, JTAG interface, and expansion ports.

KwikByte's KB9202 board diagram

Viosoft's Arriba Embedded Linux Edition

Viosoft's Arriba Embedded Linux Edition for the KB9202 supports Windows or Linux development hosts. It includes a complete Linux 2.6.11 kernel distribution, along with a cross-development toolchain and a port of Viosoft's VMON2 debug monitor. According to Viosoft, the toolsuite's differentiating features include:

• Patch-less, on-demand debugging with high-speed connectivity over Ethernet
• Non-preemptive operation enables kernel drivers to be debugged without blocking servicing of IRQs
• Multi-thread/process debugging

Viosoft CEO Hieu Tran said, “Integration of the Arriba source level debugger and the KwikByte KB9202 provides a fast and non-intrusive means for developers to debug their drivers, modules, and applications over Ethernet. The combination of a low-cost, compact form-factor ARM-based board and cross-platform tools and debugger enables students, hobbyists, and grass-root developers to have a complete end-to-end development experience with embedded Linux at a price point they can afford.”

KwikByte CEO Shelly Aamold said, “Our customers don't want to spend valuable development time working around their development environment. This kit allows them to focus on developing.”

Availability

The Arriba for KB9202 development kit is available from both Viosoft and KwikByte, priced at $499.99, including serial cable and distribution CD.

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.