An open source project to create a simulator for ARM-based development boards has achieved its first major release. SkyEye 1.0.0 targets Linux and uClinux on 11 different ARM-based board families, simulating devices such as NICs, LCDs, touchscreens, and Flash, in addition to the processor. It hosts on Linux or Windows/Cygwin/X, or, with some loss of features, on FreeBSD or Mac OS/X.

According to project admin “Chenyu,” the SkyEye project was initially derived from David McCullough's GDB/Armulator. The new 1.0.0 version runs as a standalone program that can remotely connect with GDB.

The primary new feature in the 1.0.0 release is DBCT (dynamic binary code translation), which was implemented by “Teawater,” Chenyu says, and “can make the simulation speed much faster.”

SkyEye supports boards based on ARM processors with MMUs (memory management units), as well as those without MMUs. Supported boards include those based on the following ARM processors:

• MMU-ful ARM processors
  • Lubbock (Intel PXA250/255)
  • Intel StrongARM
  • Samsung S3C2410/2440
  • Cirrus Logic EP7312/9312/9315
  • Atmel AT91RM9200
  • Sharp LH7xxxx (little-tested)
  • LH79520 (little-tested)
  • ns9715 (not completed)

• MMU-less ARM processors:
  • Atmel AT91X40
  • Samsung 44b0/4510 (44b0 needs more testing)
  • Philips LPC 21xx/22xx

Supported host platforms include Linux and Windows (Cygwin/X). FreeBSD is also supported, but is not very stable, Chenyu says, and lacks support for DBCT. Mac OS X is partially supported as well, but lacks NIC, LCD, and Flash simulation, as well as DBCT support.

According to Chenyu, the project roadmap calls for supporting additional CPUs. For example a Blackfin CPU simulator developed by Kang Shuo and supporting a uClinux implementation will be integrated.

In addition to ARM Linux and uClinux, SkyEye supports uC/OS II, Chenyu says.

The project page can be found here.

 
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