Emcraft Linux / FreeRTOS BSP for Renesas RZ/V2H - Overview
1. Overview
This application note provides an overview of what the Emcraft Linux / FreeRTOS BSP and software distribution for the Renesas RZ/V2H SoC is about.
It is expected that this is a first documentation item the user reads, regarding the Emcraft Linux / FreeRTOS BSP for the Renesas RZ/V2H SoC. The goal of this application note is to provide an introduction into the Emcraft distribution for the Renesas RZ/V2H SoC. The other applications notes located in the related documentation area of the Emcraft web site provide detailed information on the various features of the Emcraft product.
2. Emcraft Software Distribution for Renesas RZ/V2H
2.1. Reference Hardware Platform
This software distribution makes use of the Renesas RZ/V2H EVK board as the reference hardware platform.
Note that Emcraft does not sell, or provide otherwise, the Renesas RZ/V2H EVK board. Please contact Renesas or its distributors to obtain a Renesas RZ/V2H EVK board.
The above having been said, the reference hardware platform makes use of certain hardware add-ons, in order to enhance the reference platform, so as to allow targeting certain classes of robotics applications. Such hardware add-ons include: USB and MIPI-CSI2 cameras, radio modules, etc. Those hardware add-ons are manufactured and sold, or otherwise distributed, by Emcraft. Please contact Emcraft for details.
2.2. High-level Overview
The Emcraft software distribution for the Renesas RZ/V2H SoC is comprised of the Linux / FreeRTOS BSP (Board Support Package) for the reference hardware platform, as well as a Yocto-based build and packaging development environment allowing to build run-time target images from the Linux cross-development host.
The Emcraft software distribution is based on the “pristine” Renesas BSP and distribution for the Renesas RZ/V2H SoC. The Renesas distribution provides the Linux / FreeRTOS BPS as well as a Yocto-based build framework.
Emcraft has enhanced the Renesas BSP and software distribution, in order to add various features and components needed to target a wide class of robotics applications. Those “add-on” features come with run-time software demos and comprehensive user documentation, available from the Emcraft web site.
2.3. Summary of Packages in the Distribution
The following table provides a summary of the key software packages included in the Emcraft software distribution for the Renesas RZ/V2H:
Software Component | Version | Originates from | Summary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Yocto | 3.1 (LTS) | Renesas and Emcraft | Main build and packaging framework for the RZ/X software distribution |
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Linux kernel | 5.10.145 (LTS) | Renesas and Emcraft | Linux kernel, runs on the Cortex-A core |
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U-Boot | 2021.10 | Renesas and Emcraft | Main firmware and boot loader |
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FreeRTOS | 10.4.6 | Renesas and Emcraft | FreeRTOS BSP, runs on the Cortex-M core |
|
AI Accelerator driver | 0.90 | Renesas | Kernel driver to support Renesas Dynamically Reconfigurable Processor for AI (DRP- |
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Ubuntu compatibility layer |
| Emcraft | Allows to install and run Ubuntu binary packages |
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Docker compatibility layer |
| Emcraft | Allows to run Docker containers |
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ROS2 layer |
| Emcraft | APIs to the ROS2 layer |
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PMD Technologies software stack (“Royal”) for the Time-Of-Flight (ToF) 3D cameras | 5.5.0.2179.Calib_DL_Fix | PMD Technologies and Emcraft | Includes run-time target API’s and libraries, as well as a 3D viewer (RoyalViewer) and the cross-platform SDK | Licensing limitations apply |
2.4. Software Consulting Services
Emcraft provides software development services for the Renesas RZ/V2H, including the following:
Customization of Yocto build and meta-layer for custom requirements;
Portation of Linux and FreeRTOS BSPs to custom hardware boards;
Development, validation and integration of Linux and FreeRTOS device drivers;
Development of ROS, SLAM and other software components related to robotics applications;
OTA software updates, with support for redundant boot images and fail-back to previous boot set on update failure;
Secure boot;
Boot time optimizations;
Power consumption optimizations;
Customization of software manufacturing and test tools.