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  • debian
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Related

[How-to] BB-View on latest Debian

compeoree
compeoree over 11 years ago

I thought some others might like to know how to get the BB-View working under the latest Debian beta images.

 

Unfortunately, you are going to have to recompile the Kernel. The video works fine without a recompile (the red/blue swap is easy to fix), but the touchscreen control connections are not the same as the standard TI 4-wire interface. I tried to patch the ti_am335x_tsc.c file, so the changes would be limited to a dts recompile, but I haven't been able to get that working yet (I'm pretty sure it is a state machine / bit assignment issue). But anyway, here are the steps that you need to perform.....

 

Overview

1) Download the necessary files

     a) Robert Nelson's handy tools for compiling the Beaglebone kernel

     b) BB-View source for Angstrom

2) Build the default kernel

3) Patch the Kernel and perform a fast recompile

4) Copy the new kernel to the Beaglebone

5) Edit the xorg.conf file to correct the Red/Blue color swap

6) Revel in the 4 days you just saved image

 

Let's Get Started

I am using Ubuntu 12.04 LTS 64 bit running in a VirtualBox VM to compile the kernel:

Make a new folder called bb-view, this is where our build will happen.

> mkdir bb-view

> cd bb-view

 

Install git, if you haven't already:

> apt-get install git

 

Clone Robert Nelson's linux-dev project locally. Be prepared for a large download (~100 Mb for the cross-compiler and ~700 Mb for the kernel source).

> git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/linux-dev.git

 

Change into the new linux-dev folder and select branch/tag that matches the Debian version.

> cd linux-dev

> git checkout 3.8.13-bone37 -b tmp

 

Now we need to build the base image, so our cape drivers folder gets populated. The script will tell you if you need to do or install anything else.

> ./build_kernel.sh

 

Come back in an hour or so.....(You might want to download the Angstrom source from element14 now)

 

Patching the Kernel

Extract two files from the Angstrom source:

> unzip angstrom-source.zip

> tar -zxf bb-black-kernel-3.8.13-bb-view.tar.bz2

> cp ./kernel/kernel/drivers/input/touchscreen/ti_am335x_tsc.c  ~/bb-view/linux-dev/KERNEL/drivers/input/touchscreen/

> cp ./kernel/kernel/firmware/capes/BB-VIEW-LCD7-01-00A0.dts  ~/bb-view/linux-dev/KERNEL/firmware/capes/

 

Now we need to let the compiler know that we want to add the firmware to the build:

> nano   ~/bb-view/linux-dev/KERNEL/firmware/Makefile

 

Add the following line somewhere near line 192 (CTRL-C will display current cursor position):

BB-VIEW-LCD7-01-00A0.dtbo \

 

Don't forget the trailing backslash....it is important. Now save and exit by doing CTRL-O, Enter, CTRL-X.

Change back to the linux-dev root folder:

> cd   ~/bb-view/linux-dev

 

Now issue the kernel rebuild command, this won't take very long at all:

> ./tools/rebuild.sh

 

 

Copy Kernel to BBB

The following instructions assume that you already have the Debian beta installed and booted up on the BBB.

The easiest way is to copy the files over the network, via the 'scp' command:

> scp   ~/bb-view/linux-dev/deploy/3.8.13-bone37.zImage   debian@192.168.7.2:/home/debian

Replace debian (both instances) with the username you are running on the BBB and 192.168.7.2 with the IP address of the BBB.

 

Now log into the BBB and copy the kernel image to the boot partition:

> ssh debian@192.168.7.2

bbb>  sudo cp 3.8.13-bone37.zImage   /boot/uboot/zImage

 

We need to do one more thing before the LCD will work. Since the cape doesn't have an EEPROM, we need to black-list the HDMI drivers and force-load the BB-VIEW drivers in the boot command file:

bbb>  sudo  nano  /boot/uboot/uEnv.txt

 

Find the "optargs" line and edit it to be:

optargs=capemgr.disable_partno=BB-BONELT-HDMI,BB-BONELT-HDMIN  capemgr.enable_partno=BB-VIEW-LCD7-01

Notice that the preceding "#" has been removed. You don't want to disable BB-BONE-EMMC-2G, or you won't be able to boot from eMMC.

Now save and exit by doing CTRL-O, Enter, CTRL-X.

 

Reboot the BBB and the LCD should now work....except the blue and red are reversed.

 

Fixing Red/Blue Color Swap

This is due to errata in the TI AM335x processor when switching between 16 and 24 bit video modes. To fix this, we must first find the name of our screen:

> ssh debian@192.168.7.2

bbb> cat  /var/log/Xorg.0.log  |  grep  screen

Mine was "Builtin Default fbdev Screen 0"

 

Now we edit our X configuration file:

bbb> sudo nano  /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/10-evdev.conf

 

and add a "Screen" section at the end of the file:

Section "Screen"

        Identifier "Builtin Default fbdev Screen 0"

        Monitor "Configured Monitor"

        Device "Configured Video Device"

        DefaultDepth 24

EndSection

Save and exit by doing CTRL-O, Enter, CTRL-X.

Reboot and enjoy!

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Top Replies

  • Former Member
    Former Member over 11 years ago in reply to Former Member +1
    Hello selsinork, "Which kernel version are you using ?" I use the 3.8. "Did you apply the patch Louis posted ?" I rebuild the kernel with Louis' edits in the "4. Re:[How-to] BB-View on latest Debian" message…
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 11 years ago in reply to Former Member +1
    Ok, so with the overlay loaded then the touch screen driver should be able to work. You can check the proper device using 'evtest' like this: root@lcd:~/evtest# ./evtest No device specified, trying to…
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 11 years ago in reply to Former Member +1
    Interesting. I seem to remember that one of the LEDs on the cape was configured as heartbeat. Perhaps that was the TI-SDK image then as looking at the overlay files I see: gpio-leds-cape-lcd { compatible…
  • tomaja
    tomaja over 10 years ago

    Hi, I recently got BB_VIEW43 and had too much trouble with it.

    I'm running the latest Debian from beagleboard.org and I managed to almost get it working.

    The only issue I still have is mouse pointer jumping to the right of the screen. I noticed that this happen more often when the screen is lighter (browser window opened). If I stick to dark desktop background - pointer jumps much less.

     

    Did anyone have similar problem?

     

    Thanks,

    Dragan

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  • tomaja
    tomaja over 10 years ago in reply to Former Member

    Have you checked that eth0 is still enabled in /etc/network/interfaces after you applied the patch? I had the same issue.

     

    Dragan

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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 10 years ago in reply to Former Member

    Sorry to revive this old question but did anyone ever figure out the magic number for the dts line ti,wire-config = <0x00 0x11 0x22 0x33>; ?

    I'm using Yocto & Ti's meta data layer to create a custom system. I've gotten the BB-view 70 and back light to work after a ton of fighting the drivers, kernel config, and dts. The only thing left is getting the ts correct as the X & Y are reversed (I think they're just reversed).

    I'm using a more current 3.14 kernel with the ts device driver but I don't know the magic sequence for the dts. Reading the device driver was simple enough but no matter sequence I try, I get it correct.

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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 10 years ago

    Guys,

     

    I am addressing this to users, contributors, experts and - mostly to Element14 mod's, support people or any other of their employees!

     

    I have read & re-read everything I can on getting the BB-view to work (the 4.3" lcd) on the Bbone Black without success. I have tried the 'latest' Debian image. I have tried the Ti-SDK images, I have tried the Angstrom images.

     

    I have a few basic questions which i hope no one minds being asked just so I can start afresh before I consider shipping the BB-view I have back to the supplier with it considered DEAD!

     

    1. The latest user manual (Ver.3.0, dated 26th June 2014) came with the BB-view. In section 5 'Demonstration & compilation of Debian', para 1 says BB VIEW (sic) support has been added to the Debian o/s ready to run on the BeagleBone Black. Then jump to section 5.1.1 Image programming. It states 'The preinstalled Debian image on the BeagleBone Black does not have support for the BB VIEW.'

     

    So, question - (a) what image or version has the support for BB VIEW as per the first statement in the opening of chapter 5? Then (b) what image or version needs to be patched?

     

    2. Assuming one gets the right image onto the Bbone Black, then gets it patched with the right patches from here....element14: BB View LCD Cape Software Download Centre[1] - you get the Bbone successfully rebooted then you do the additonal patching as per manual (Ver.3) section 5.1.1 paragraph 7. onewards. Then connect the BB-view & power on.

     

    So, question - Should one see life on the LCD? Should the backlight be on? Should there be a GUI visible? What should you see?

     

    I see nothing. Whatever I do!

     

    3. Measuring current from my power supply the BBone on it's own is taking 0.2 to 0.35 amps, I see no difference when the BB-view is connected. This makes me feel that all is not right!

     

    So, question - What is the current when the Bbone & BB-view are running properly?

     

    Sorry to have gone on but some of the comments about getting this working are convoluted or out of date (or both).

     

    AND - Element14, there are a lot links in the forum & the BB-view manual that are out of date!

     

    Grateful for any help!

     

    Cheers, Dave

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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 10 years ago

    Has anyone gotten the 7" BB-view to work with the current recommended image from 3-1-2015? 

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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 10 years ago

    Hello,

    as a beginner i thank you so much for this!

     

    It worked out well until I got to the part, where I should copy the ne kernel to the "/boot/uboot" directory on the BBB.

     

    I was able, to copy the file to the BBB, even to different directories. But on my beagle, i cannot find "boot/uboot".
    If i am in "root@beaglebone:/boot#"  and run "ls",  it shows me other files (,am335....dtb, omap....dtb, uImage, uEnv.txt) but no other folder..

    So my questions are:

    Where can I find the correct directory and what is the name of the "old" kernel i have to overwrite ?

     

    Would be great, if you could help me!
    greets

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  • hans-germany
    hans-germany over 10 years ago

    Hello everyone,

     

    i recently bought the BB-View 7' for one hundred euros and now i am totally frustrated !!

     

    1.) I downloaded the image of TI -> works fine including the touchpad, but only demo-functions. Great, it's not possible to leave this demo...

    2.) With an old debian image 3.8.13-bone47 ( the original image when i bought this part ), i bring it to work. Everything is fine, but the Touchpad doesn't work correct

         X and Y swapped, why ? on the shop page i read "debian support".

    3.) So i tried the descriptions of Louis.

         Everything works until the line "./tools/rebuild.sh" there comes an error not finding BB-VIEW-LCD7-01-00A0.dtbo --> thats clear because in the Angstrom Sources

         there is no BB-VIEW-LCD7-01-00A0.dts there is only A1,A2,A3,A4. So trying A4 but no luck.

         why ? on the shop page i read "debian support".

    4.) Next point : in the image described above there is a /uboot/ folder with a zImage. In the currrent image there is no "zImage" anymore . The folder /boot/uboot is empty.

         Instead there are a lot of other files, so copying a zImage to this folder doesn't have any effect.

    5.) I cannot find any Angstrom image that automatically flashes to eMMc. All that i have tried are only booting from sd-card. So i cannot try the bb-view with angstrom

     

    No my question to anyone visiting this forum :

    a) Is there any solution to swap X and Y without kernel modification/compilation/patching.... ?

    b) Is there a possibility to work with bb-view without spending days of searching for solutions, and without compiling a new kernel ?

    c) Why there is no real support for debian, the BBB is shipped with debian no with angstrom ?

    d) Why is nobody of element14 or farnell interested in a solution. Do they only sell and forget ?

     

    Maybe i have to say i am a programmer, and not a "kernel-patcher" or "linux-freak".

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  • clem57
    clem57 over 10 years ago in reply to hans-germany

    Did you happen to see http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1780810.pdf . This warning at the top tells all.

    C

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  • hans-germany
    hans-germany over 10 years ago in reply to clem57

    Thanks for your answer, but believe me i read it more than once. And if you search in this document for "debian" -> 0 matches.

    So i think this pdf is old and useless, because it describes angstrom but in the meantime bbb is shipped with debian.

    And as i wrote above , the description in this pdf of ti-sdk works.

     

    But i gave it a last try, and i found a way to make it work ! ( Ok it's not the newest debian, but it works and you don't have to compile soemthing )

    1.) Download and install following this debian image :  debian.beagleboard.org/images/BBB-eMMC-flasher-debian-7.5-2014-05-14-2gb.img.xz

    2.) Download "Debian Image" and unzip from here : element14: BB View LCD Cape Software Download Centre[1]

    3.) Copy the files from 2 to BBB ( i copied it to /home/debian ) and execute following commands :

    $ cp -f /home/debian/zImage /boot/uboot

    $ cp -f /home/debian/*.dtb /boot/uboot/dtbs

    $ tar -xvf /home/debian/kernel_modules.tar.gz -C /

    $ cp -f /home/debian/xorg.conf /etc/X11/

    $ sudo nano /boot/uboot/uEnv.txt                ( Edit uEnv.txt and insert the following two lines )

    -------

    capedisable=capemgr.disable_partno=BB-BONELT-HDMI,BB-BONELT-HDMIN

    cape_enable=capemgr.enable_partno=BB-VIEW-LCD7-01

    --------

    ( Save and Exit )

    $ sync

     

    5.) Shutodown BBB, attach BB-VIEW and reboot, that's it

    6.) And by the way : When you calibrate the touchscreen, be sure that you don't have a mouse attached. Otherwise it does'nt work correct ( in my case X-Y switched ).

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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 9 years ago

    Hi,

     

    I already got my BB-View 4.3 up and running since a few months. Since I'm not an expert in these hw topics and linux related things I need some helps with adjusting the screen brightness (backlight).

    The 4D LCD capes are using some simple commands:

     

    cd /sys/class/backlight/backlight.10/

    echo 100 > brightness

     

    I had a look into the DTS and found on line 68 "pwm_bl_pins" which are set to "gpmc_a2.ehrpwm1a".

    If I understood it correctly it should be addressable at "/sys/class/pwm/xxx".

    But there is nothing useable at this path.

     

    Any help on screen brightness adjusting would be great.

    Thanks!

     

    Erik

     

    EDIT:

     

    after some time I found the solution.

    For anyone who also needs this

     

    e.g. to set the backlight to 50% brightnesst use...

     

    echo 50 > /sys/class/backlight/backlight.11/brightness

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