1. Overview of PetaLinux

PetaLinux tools provide all the components needed to customize, build and deploy embedded Linux solutions on Xilinx processing systems. The solution aims to improve design productivity and can be used in conjunction with Xilinx hardware design tools to simplify the development of Linux systems for Versal , Zynq® UltraScale+™ MPSoC, Zynq®-7000SoC {12} and MicroBlaze™.

1.1 PetaLinux development tools (host)

PetaLinux tools can help simplify the development of Linux-based products; you can use the following tools to complete all operations from system startup to execution:

Command line interface
Applications, device drivers, library generators, and development templates
Bootable system image generator
Debug agent
GCC tools
Integrated QEMU full system emulator
Automation tool
Support Xilinx system debugger

embedded-stack

Embedded software and ecosystem

Using these tools, developers can customize the boot loader, Linux kernel, or Linux application. They can add new kernels, device drivers, applications, and libraries to the attached full system emulator (QEMU) or physical hardware via the network or JTAG, and start and test the software protocol stack.

Customized BSP generation tool

With newly added features and devices, PetaLinux tools enable developers to synchronize software platforms and hardware designs.

The PetaLinux tool will automatically generate a customized Linux development board support package (including device drivers) for the Xilinx embedded processing IP core, kernel and boot loader configuration. This capability allows software engineers to focus on value-added applications rather than low-level development tasks.

Linux configuration tool

PetaLinux contains tools for customizing the boot loader, Linux kernel, file system, library and system parameters.

These configuration tools can be fully integrated with Xilinx hardware development tools and customized hardware-specific data files to automatically build and deploy device drivers for Xilinx embedded IP cores based on the address of the device specified by the engineer.

Software development tools

PetaLinux tool integrated development template, software team can create custom device drivers, applications, libraries and BSP configuration.

Once the basic software components of the product (BSP, device drivers, kernel applications, etc.) are established, the PetaLinux tool can help developers package and distribute all software components (easy for PetaLinux developers to install and use).

Reference Linux distribution

PetaLinux provides a complete reference Linux distribution, integrated and tested for Xilinx devices. The reference Linux distribution includes binary and source Linux packages including:

Bootloader
CPU optimized core
Linux applications & libraries
C & C++ application development
debugging
Thread and FPU support
Integrated web server facilitates remote management of network and firmware configuration

Quick boot Linux image

All PetaLinux Development Board Support Packages (BSP) provide pre-configured boot loaders, system images and bitstreams. With these built-in tools, you can execute a single command to deploy and start these components for the physical hardware or the included full QEMU system emulator.

Using PetaLinux, developers can start and run their Xilinx-based hardware within about 5 minutes after installation, and can develop applications, libraries and drivers at any time.