SAM9X60-EK -- Booting Demo Linux Image

Introduction

This article lists step-by-step instructions for booting a Linux image on the SAM9X60-EK. As an example, you will download and flash a demonstration image from the Linux4SAM website. The demo image is readily available, so you do not have to build it from the source.

What You Will Need:

  • SAM9X60-EK Evaluation Kit
  • Micro-B USB cable (included in the SAM9X60-EK box)
  • Serial-to-USB converter (TTL level)
  • (optional) External power cable (5V DC)
  • Personal computer (Windows, MacOS, Linux) running a terminal program
  • SD Memory Card (1 GB or larger)

Summary of Steps:

  1. Familiarize Yourself with the Features of SAM9X0-EK
  2. Download Demonstration Image
  3. Flash Demo Image to SD Memory Card
  4. Download, Install, and Configure a Terminal Program onto Your Personal Computer.
  5. Ensure the Jumpers are in the Correct Position
  6. Connect Your PC to J22 Using a Micro-B USB Cable
  7. Power the Board
  8. Press RESET Button SW3 (nRST)
  9. Login

Booting Demo Linux Image:

1

Familiarize Yourself with the Features of the SAM9X60-EK

Take a moment and familiarize yourself with the SAM9X60-EK1 development platform features.

2

Download a Demonstration Image

The latest demonstration images for the SAM9X60-EK are available on the Linux4SAM website. There you will find three sets of images created from one of three Build Systems:

​

If this is your first time downloading an image, and not sure which one to download, try the Buildroot based demo without a display: linux4sam-buildroot-sam9x60ek-headless-X.Y.img.bz2 where X.Y is the version number (X is year and Y is month of release).

SAM9X60_demo_images.png

3

Flash and Insert SD Memory Card

a

Flash Demo Image to SD Memory Card

The easiest method to flash an image to an SD Memory Card is to use the utility program balenaEtcher. It is available for Windows, macOS®, or Linux. Always make sure you have the latest version of balenaEtcher.

First Step: Locate and Select the Image

Browse and select the image file you downloaded from the previous step.

Etcher_Select_Image.png

Second Step: Insert SD Memory Card to Your PC

Insert an SD Memory Card to the SD Memory Card slot on your PC, if one is available. If not, the easiest way is to use an external USB SD Memory Card reader.

Third Step: Locate and Select the SD Memory Card

Once the SD Memory Card is inserted to your PC, Etcher will automatically detect it.

Etcher_Select_Drive.png

Fourth and Final Step: Flash

This will take a few minutes.

Etcher_Flash.png

b

Insert SD Memory Card into J4

Once the image has been successfully flashed to the SD Memory Card, insert it into slot J4 on the SAM9X60-EK board.

SAM9X60_EK_insert_sd_card.png

4

Download, Install, and Configure a Terminal Program onto Your Personal Computer

There are several choices for terminal programs. Many are free to download. Refer to SAM9X60-EK Console Serial Communications for a list of popular terminal programs.

5

Ensure the Jumpers are in the Correct Position

SAM9X60_EK_jumper_defaults.png

6

Connect Your PC to J22 Using a Micro-B USB Cable

You may also connect a Serial-to-USB converter (TTL level) to J24, the serial DEBUG connector.

7

Power up Your Board

The easiest way to power the board is by connecting a Micro-B USB cable to J7.

Optionally, you can connect an external 5VDC power supply to J1.

8

Press the Reset Button SW3

SAM9X60_EK_reset_pb.png

The boot log will display in the terminal window.

SAM9X60_EK_bootlog.png

9

Login

At the end of the boot log, the command line will prompt the user to log in. Login as ‘root.’ There is no password required.

SAM9X60_EK_login.png

Congratulations! Booting of the demo Linux image on SAM9x60-EK is complete.

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