OpenEmbedded Workshop 2020

How to write a really good BSP layer
02-03, 14:45–15:15 (Europe/Amsterdam), Hedy Lamarr

A BSP layer contains the Board Support Package for a device. Every project has one: it's the part that describes the hardware platform that you are using. If you purchased your board from one of the embedded board manufacturers then they will most likely have given you a Yocto Project compatible BSP layer already. If not, you will have to write the layer yourself. This talk is for you.

In this talk, I will describe the steps of creating a BSP layer from scratch, giving tips for
best practice and pointing out pit-falls as I go. I will introduce the two
guiding principles: keep it simple, and don't break things.
The "keep it simple part" is all about defining only the features that are
necessary. What you leave out can be as important as what you put in.
The "don't break things" part concerns the interaction with other layers.
Your BSP layer should not conflict with or prevent the use of other layers
that developers are likely to want.

The aim is to create a world with perfect BSP layers. A world in which
downstream users can create wonderful products with minimum effort.
Your customers will thank you.


Video: https://youtu.be/cuvCsbRUG8s

See also: Slides (229.1 KB)

Chris Simmonds is an author, trainer and consultant who has spent almost two decades designing and building open-source embedded systems. He is the founder and chief consultant at 2net Ltd, which provides professional training and mentoring services in Android platform development, embedded Linux, and Linux device drivers. He has worked with many companies to help them realise their ideas of using Android in interesting and often unique ways. He is a frequent presenter at open source and embedded conferences, including the Embedded Linux Conference and Embedded World. You can see some of his work on the “Inner Penguin” blog at www.2net.co.uk