Phytec phyFLEX-i.MX 6 Programming manual

A product of a PHYTEC Technology Holding company
phyFLEX®-i.MX 6
Quickstart Instructions
Document No.: L-781e_7
Release No.: SO-525v9
Edition: September 2015

phyFLEX®-i.MX 6
PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH 2015 L-781e_7
Copyrighted products are not explicitly indicated in this manual. The absence of the trademark (, or ®)
and copyright (©) symbols does not imply that a product is not protected. Additionally, registered patents
and trademarks are similarly not expressly indicated in this manual.
The information in this document has been carefully checked and is considered to be entirely reliable.
However, PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies. PHYTEC Messtechnik
GmbH neither gives any guarantee nor accepts any liability whatsoever for consequential damages
resulting from the use of this manual or its associated product. PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH reserves the
right to alter the information contained herein without prior notification and accepts no responsibility for
any damages that might result.
Additionally, PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH offers no guarantee nor accepts any liability for damages arising
from the improper usage or improper installation of the hardware or software. PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH
further reserves the right to alter the layout and/or design of the hardware without prior notification and
accepts no liability for doing so.
Copyright 2015 PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH, D-55129 Mainz.
Rights - including those of translation, reprint, broadcast, photomechanical or similar reproduction and
storage or processing in computer systems, in whole or in part - are reserved. No reproduction may occur
without the express written consent from PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH.
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Address: PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH
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PHYTEC America LLC
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PHYTEC France
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FRANCE
Sales: [phone]
[email protected]
[phone]
[email protected]
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[email protected]
Technical
Support:
[phone]
[email protected]
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[email protected] [email protected]
Fax: [phone] [phone] [phone]
Web Site: http://www.phytec.de
http://www.phytec.eu http://www.phytec.com http://www.phytec.fr
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Address: PHYTEC Embedded Pvt. Ltd.
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PHYTEC Information Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd.
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4018 Jin Tian Road
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CHINA 518026
Sales: [phone]/48
[email protected]
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Technical
Support:
[phone]
[email protected] [email protected]
Fax: [phone]
Web Site: http://www.phytec.in http://www.phytec.cn
7th Edition September 2015

Contents
.................................................................69
PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH 2015 L-781e_7 i
Conventions, Abbreviations and Acronyms ....................................................................iii
1...................................................................................................... 1Introduction
1.1 ............................................................. 1Rapid Development Kit Documentation
1.2 ........................................................... 1Professional Support Packages Available
1.3 .......................................................... 2Overview of these QuickStart Instructions
1.4 .................................................................................... 2System Requirements
1.5 ........................................... 2Software used in the virtual machine hard disk image
1.5.1 ............................................................................................ 2Ubuntu
1.5.2 ............................................................................................. 3Eclipse
1.5.3 ........................................................................................ 3Qt Creator
1.5.4 .................................................................................... 3Yocto Project
2................................................................................................... 4Getting Started
2.1 ........................................................ 4Preparing and Starting the virtual machine
2.2 ................................................................................... 5Starting the Hardware
3......................................................................................... 10Working with Eclipse
3.1 .............................................................10Programming in the C/C++ Perspective
3.1.1 ................................................................10Work with the Demo Project
3.1.2 .......................................................................15Creating a New Project
3.1.3 ..........................................................22Modifying the Demo Application
3.1.4 .......................................25Starting a Program out of Eclipse on the Target
3.2 .......................................................................27Debugging an Example Project
3.2.1 ...................................................28Starting the GDB Server on the Target
3.2.2 ....................................28Configuring and Starting the Debugger in Eclipse
3.2.3 .........................................................................33Setting a Breakpoint
3.2.4 ..................................34Stepping through and Watching Variable Contents
3.2.5 ..................................36Stepping through and Changing Variable Contents
3.2.6 ..................................................................37Using the Memory Monitor
4..................................................................................... 40Working with Qt Creator
4.1 ..........................................................40Stop the Running Qt Demo on the Target
4.2 .....................................................................40Importing the Demo Application
4.3 .....................................................................42Work with the Demo Application
4.4 ..........................................45Compile and Run the Demo Application on the Target
4.5 ............................................48Compile and Run the Demo Application on the Host
4.6 ....................................................................49Debugging the Demo Application
4.6.1 ........................................49Using QDebug for simple Debugging Messages
4.6.2 .............................................51Using the integrated Qt Creator Debugger
5........................................................................................... 55Working with Yocto
5.1 .........................................................55Add new packages to the Root Filesystem
5.2 .............................................59Writing the Root Filesystem into the Target’s Flash
6............................................................................ 62Setup your own Linux-Host-PC
6.1 ........................................................................................62Essential Settings
6.1.1 .............................................................................62Installing Ubuntu
6.1.2 ........................................................64Installation of Software Packages
6.1.3 ....................................................................65Set the Git Configuration
6.1.4 ...............................65Build the Board Support Package and Install the SDK
6.1.5 ....................................................67Set up Eclipse and Integrate Plug-ins
6.1.6 Install and Setup Qt Creator

phyFLEX®-i.MX 6
ii PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH 2015 L-781e_7
6.1.7 ..................................................................... 75Setting up a TFTP server
6.1.8 ............................................................................. 76Optional Settings

Conventions, Abbreviations and Acronyms
Conventions, Abbreviations and Acronyms
The following is a list of the typographical conventions used in this book:
Conventions
The conventions used in this manual are as follows:
Signals that are preceded by an "n", "/", or “#”character (e.g.: nRD, /RD, or #RD), or
that have a dash on top of the signal name (e.g.: RD) are designated as active low
signals. That is, their active state is when they are driven low, or are driving low.
A "0" indicates a logic zero or low-level signal, while a "1" represents a logic one or
high-level signal.
The hex-numbers given for addresses of I2C devices always represent the 7 MSB of the
address byte. The correct value of the LSB which depends on the desired command
(read (1), or write (0)) must be added to get the complete address byte. E.g. given
address in this manual 0x41 => complete address byte = 0x83 to read from the device
and 0x82 to write to the device.
Tables which describe jumper settings show the default position in bold, blue text.
Text in blue italic indicates a hyperlink within, or external to the document. Click these
links to quickly jump to the applicable URL, part, chapter, table, or figure.
Text in bold italic indicates an interaction by the user, which is defined on the screen.
Text in Consolasindicates an input by the user, without a premade text or button to
click on.
Text in italic indicates proper names of development tools and corresponding controls
(windows, tabs, commands etc.) used within the development tool, no interaction
takes place.
White Text on black background shows the result of any user interaction (command,
program execution, etc.)
PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH 2015 L-781e_7 iii

phyFLEX®-i.MX 6
At this icon you might leave the path of this Application Guide.
This is a warning. It helps you to avoid annoying problems.
You can find useful supplementary information about the topic.
At the beginning of each chapter you can find information about the time
required to read the following chapter.
Y
ou have successfully completed an important part of this Application
Guide.
You can find information to solve problems.
iv PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH 2015 L-781e_7

Introduction
PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH 2015 L-781e_7 1
1Introduction
In this QuickStart Instructions Manual you will find general information about the PHYTEC
phyFLEX-i.MX6-Kit and instructions how to start-up with the phyFLEX-i.MX6. You will learn
how to...
… use the prepared virtual machine hard disk image.
... connect to the target.
... handle with the Yocto Project and our Board Support Package to build your own images.
... working with Eclipse and Qt Creator .
... setup your own linux host system.
This first Chapter gives a short introduction about the PHYTEC phyFLEX-i.MX6-Kit and it's
Quickstart. Also you will find general requirements and information to successfully pass the
Quickstart.
1.1 Rapid Development Kit Documentation
This Rapid Development Kit (RDK) includes the following electronic documentation in the
virtual machine hard disk under /opt/PHYTEC_Tools/Documentation.
The PHYTEC phyFLEX-i.MX6 Hardware Manual
Hardware schematics
The Yocto Reference Manual
The BSP Quickstart
Image Processing manuals
These Quickstart Instructions
1.2 Professional Support Packages Available
If you have any questions concerning installation and setup, you are welcome to contact
our support department.
For more in-depth questions, we offer a variety of custom-tailored packages with different
support options (e-mail, phone, direct contact to the developer) and different reaction
times.
Please contact our sales team to discuss the appropriate support option if professional
support beyond installation and setup is important for you. For more information please
refer to the following sources:
http://www.phytec.de
http://www.phytec.eu
[email protected]
Also more contact information can be found on page 2.

phyFLEX®-i.MX 6
2PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH 2015 L-781e_7
1.3 Overview of these QuickStart Instructions
This QuickStart gives you an overview of the phyFLEX-i.MX6. It's content ranges from the
first startup, to building your own kernel and file system, to the point of building your own
program with
Eclipse and Qt Creator . This Quickstart is structured as follows:
The Getting Started section describes the basics such as configure your host platform
and starting the phyFLEX-i.MX6 platform.
The Working with Eclipse explains how to modify an example application, create, build,
debug a new project, and copy programs to the phyFLEX-i.MX6 using Eclipse with the
C/C++ CDT plugin.
The Working with Qt Creator section explains how to modify an example application,
create, build, debug a new project, and copy programs to the phyFLEX-i.MX6 using Qt
Creator.
The
Working with Yocto section explains how to add new packages in our Board Support
Package, build a new root filesystem and copy the root filesystem into the target’s flash.
The Setup your own Linux-Host-PC section explains how to setup your own Linux-Host-PC
if you don’t want to use our virtual machine hard disk image.
1.4 System Requirements
The following items will be needed to complete this Quickstart successfully:
The PHYTEC phyFLEX-i.MX6
The PHYTEC Development Board with the included DB-9 serial cable, Ethernet crossover
cable and AC adapter supplying 12 VDC (min. 2 A)
The PHYTEC virtual machine hard disk image (
SO-525v9 ).
An IBM-compatible host-PC (586 or higher) with 512 MB RAM (or more)
1.5 Software used in the virtual machine hard disk image
1.5.1 Ubuntu
Ubuntu - which is used as operating system for our virtual machine - is a free and open
source operating system based on Debian Linux. Basically it is designed for desktop use.
Web statistics suggest that Ubuntu is one of the most popular operating systems in the
Linux desktop environment.
The Ubuntu release which we deliver is 14.04.3 and was released on 06. August 2015.
Ubuntu 14.04 code name "Trusty Tahr" is designated as a Long Term Support (LTS) release
and the first stable release was on 17. April 2014. LTS means that it will be supported and
updated for five years.

Introduction
PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH 2015 L-781e_7 3
Our Ubuntu version comes with Unity as desktop environment, dpkg as package
management system, the update method is based on APT (Advanced Packaging Tool) and
the user space uses GNU.
1.5.2 Eclipse
The Eclipse platform provides support for C/C++. Because the Eclipse platform is only a
framework for developer tools, it does not support C/C++ directly, instead it uses external
plug-ins. This Application Guide shows you how to make use of the CDT plug-in.
The CDT is an open source project (licensed under the Common Public License)
implemented purely in Java as a set of plug-ins for the Eclipse SDK platform. These plug-ins
add a C/C++ perspective to the Eclipse Workbench that can now support C/C++ development
with a number of views and wizards, along with advanced editing and debugging support.
1.5.3 Qt Creator
Qt Creator is a cross-platform development environment for the Qt framework. Included are
a code editor and a Qt Designer to build graphical user interfaces (GUI). It uses the GNU
C/C++ compiler.
1.5.4 Yocto Project
The Yocto Project is an open source collaboration to create custom Linux-based systems for
embedded products regardless of the hardware architecture. We use the Yocto Project to
create the Board Support Package (BSP) for our hardware.

phyFLEX®-i.MX 6
2Getting Started
2.1 Preparing and Starting the virtual machine
To ensure successful introduction to the development with the phyFLEX-
i.MX6 we strongly recommend continuing with the prepared virtual
machine hard disk image
Nonetheless, if you want to use your already existing environment we
explain how to modify your system to get the same experience as with our
virtual machine in section 6.
To follow this QuickStart you need our phyFLEX-i.MX6 virtual machine hard disk image. The
hard disk image includes all software installations and configurations (e.g. pre-built Yocto
BSP, Eclipse, Qt Creator) necessary for a successful start-up of the phyFLEX-i.MX6. You can
freely download the compressed virtual machine hard disk image from our website, if you
did not purchase an USB flash drive with our image. The compressed image (SO-
525v9.tar.xz) has a size of approx. 15 GB and includes a virtual machine disk file (.vmdk)
which is suitable for most virtualization software, and which can be mounted to an
appropriate Linux machine (tested with VMware Player and VirtualBox).
1. Plug-in the purchased USB flash drive or download the compressed VM hard disk
image from http://www.phytec.de/de/support/faq/faq-phyflex-imx6 .
2. Unpack the compressed file with an appropriate tool to get the included .vmdk file.
3. Follow the instructions of your virtualization software to create a new virtual
machine. However, pay regard to the following settings required to obtain a
correctly working virtual machine:
-choose Linux-Ubuntu 64-bit version as operating system
-use the unpacked file SO-525v9.vmdk as hard disk
-an Ethernet adapter, as well as a serial interface, or the USB controller must be
available to connect to the phyFLEX-i.MX6
In order to avoid any conflicts we recommend to have only the Ethernet
adapter in the virtual machine which will be used for the peer to-peer
connection between your PC and the phyFLEX-i.MX6.
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Quickstart Instructions
4. Start the virtual machine with our hard disk image.
You will see the modified Ubuntu desktop :
PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH 2015 L-781e_7 5
reated login data is:
sername: „phyvm“ — password: „phytec“.
For further use of the virtual machine the pre-c
u
Now you are ready to connect your PC with the phyFLEX-i.MX6.
2.2 Starting the Hardware
am Microcom as well as via a SSH session using a peer-to-peer
etwork connection.
In this section you will learn how to connect your host PC to the target. The connection will
be done using a cross-over Ethernet cable and a serial one-to-one cable. You will start
Linux from the flash memory on the target and you will be able to log in with the serial
communication progr
n

phyFLEX®-i.MX 6
By default every input and output is transmitted over the serial
connection.
Connect the serial cable to the UART0 RS232 port on the target and the first serial
interface on your host.
Be sure to use the one-to-one serial cable included in this Rapid
Development Kit.
Connect the cross-over Ethernet cable to the Ethernet connector on the target and to
the appropriate network card of your host, which is passed on the virtual machine.
Click the Microcom_ttyS0 icon on your desktop, if you have connected the target to your
serial interface on your host. If you have connected the serial cable with an USB dongle
to your PC click the Microcom_ttyUSB0 icon on your desktop.
Connect the AC adapter to the power supply connector X12 (12V) on your board.
After connecting the board to the power supply, the target starts booting. When the target
has finished loading the system, you should see a screen similar to the following:
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Quickstart Instructions
Enter root as the login name and press Enter .
As a good example (and helpful for understanding the next step) enter ifconfig .
.
You will get information about the configuration of the Ethernet interface on the phyFLEX-
i.MX6
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phyFLEX®-i.MX 6
When the target is connected to the power supply, the boot loader Barebox
is first loaded from the flash memory. Then the boot loader is
uncompressing and booting the Linux kernel from the flash. Then the
kernel will install the root file system, which is also located in the target's
flash.
If you don’t see any output in the Microcom window, check the serial
connection between the target and your host. If you have more than one
serial port try the others. By default Microcom uses /dev/ttyS0. If you want
to use another port you can click on the Microcom Icon at your desktop
with your right mouse button and select Properties. A window opens in
which you can change the Properties of theMicrocom Icon. Click in the
Command field and search for "-p /dev/ttyS0". Change it for example to
/dev/ttyS1 and so on if you have more than one serial port. If you are
connecting the board via RS232 to USB change it to /dev/ttyUSB0. The -p
Parameter defines the port which Microcom will use.
If the Microcom window does not open, one reason could be a lock-file
which was created when Microcom was not correctly terminated. Delete
this file by opening a terminal and type: sudo rm /var/lock/LCK..*
In the virtual machine hard disk image the Ethernet adapter eth0 is preconfigured to the IP
address 192.168.3.10 and netmask 255.255.255.0 to establish the peer-to-peer
connection to the phyFLEX-i.MX6.
You are ready to test the Ethernet network connection.
Click on the SSH for Target icon on your desktop.
A console window will open and you will see an authentication question.
Type yes and press Enter.
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Quickstart Instructions
If the connection is working you will see following output in the SSH connection:
If you don’t see the user login, check the Ethernet connection between the
target and the host. If you have installed more than one network card on
your host, be sure to connect the cable to the network card which you have
configured with the IP address 192.168.3.10.
If you do not see the login, you may not have set up the right IP address for
your host. Open the
System Settings , click on the Network icon and check
the settings for the physical interface to which you have connected the
Ethernet cable.
PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH 2015 L-781e_7 9
You have successfully set up all configurations to access your phyFLEX-
i.MX6 from your host.

phyFLEX®-i.MX 6
3Working with Eclipse
Now we start developing our own applications with the help of Eclipse.
3.1 Programming in the C/C++ Perspective
We are starting with the C/C++ workbench. Therefore you will import an existing Eclipse
project into your workspace. The imported example project will be compiled with the cross
compiler. After that, you will copy and execute the newly created program on the target.
3.1.1 Work with the Demo Project
Click the Eclipse icon to start the application. You can find this icon on your desktop.
Change the workspace directory to /opt/prj_workspace/Eclipse if necessary and
confirm with OK.
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Quickstart Instructions
Now you can see the Eclipse workbench
First we will import an existing project.
Select File ►Import from the menu bar.
Select Existing Projects into Workspace and click Next.
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phyFLEX®-i.MX 6
Select Browse.
Double-click the HelloWorld directory under /opt/prj_workspace/Eclipse/.
Click OK.
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Quickstart Instructions
Select Finish to import the project.
Select Project ►Build Project from the menu bar.
The HelloWorld program will be compiled and the HelloWorld executable is built for the
target. Then the HelloWorld file is copied to the target using secure copy. After the file has
been copied to the target, the program is executed on the target using SSH.
PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH 2015 L-781e_7 13

phyFLEX®-i.MX 6
You will see the following content in the Console window:
If you do not get this result verify that you have the target connected to
your host, and that the network has been configured as explained in this
Quickstart.
You have successfully passed the first steps with the Eclipse IDE. You are
now able to import existing projects into the Eclipse workspace. You can
compile an existing project and execute the program on the target.
14 PHYTEC Messtechnik GmbH 2015 L-781e_7