Introduction to the U-Boot Bootloader
U-Boot is the most widely used embedded bootloader, backed by a large community, and this module explains why: covering its core features, configuration options, and practical build and deployment on real hardware.
Description
U-Boot is the most popular embedded bootloader known for many years and heavily supported by a community. Variety of functionalities and supported architectures made it a number one pick for many embedded devices on the market. This module will focus on explaining this phenomenon, main features, possible configurations and finally building and deploying it on the real hardware.
Attributes
| Level: | Intermediate |
|---|---|
| Class type: | General |
| Time commitment: | 20h |
Topics Covered
- Introduction to U-Boot, its features, configuration, building, and deployment.
- Integration of U-Boot with the Arm ecosystem, including System Ready and Secure boot.
- Advanced U-Boot functionalities like scripting, CLI, and FIT images.
- Porting U-Boot, driver development, and U-Boot driver/device model.
- Debugging and troubleshooting techniques for embedded devices and U-Boot.
Learning Outcomes
- The role of U-Boot in the boot chain and how to set it up and build from sources.
- Overview of secure/trusted boot, UEFI, and firmware update strategies.
- Understanding of scripting, CLI API, recovery procedures, and FIT image features.
- Knowledge to start working with a new platform, driver development, and device tree bindings.
- Basic troubleshooting techniques, how to investigate issues, and how Linux can be helpful in debugging.