Embedded developer Robert Feranec, founder of Slovakian-based Fedevel Academy, is giving a free seminar on ARM board and software design at the Hacker Dojo hacker community center in Silicon Valley on Dec. 14. The seminar will cover embedded development details ranging from DDR3 layout to building a Linux kernel.

The seminar, entitled “Learn to Design your own OS booting ARM board,” will be held at the Hacker Dojo community center in Mountain View, Calif. at 5PM, Dec, 14. Roger Feranec is managing director of Slovakia-based embedded firm Fedevel, which recently announced an open spec iMX6 Rex computer-on-module and baseboard built around Freescale’s dual-core i.MX6 system-on-chip. Fedevel developed the boards in part in order to support its online Fedevel Academy & PCB Design Courses.

iMX6 Rex module and baseboard

Feranec may use the iMX6 Rex module and baseboard as an example for the seminar, but the lessons are intended to support a wide variety of ARM boards. The seminar is intended for hobbyists, as well as hardware and software design engineers, who want to learn advanced topics on debugging and testing an ARM-based board.

Hardware topics will include:

• What is important when starting a new ARM design
• Selecting components for a board running an operating system
• Tips for ARM schematic design
• PCB stackup and impedances
• Common high speed design rules
• DDR3 layout and length matching

Software topics will include:

• How to setup a machine for ARM code compilation
• How to modify and compile bootloader
• How to build a Linux Kernel
• How to prepare a File system
• Steps to bring your board to life
• DDR3 calibration
• Board testing and HW verification

Hacker Dojo?

Mountain View-based Hacker Dojo bills itself as a “coworking space, part events venue, and part community center.” Drop-ins are welcome, but a $100 per month membership adds 24/7 access, event hosting, and other benefits.

Silicon Valley’s “Hacker Dojo”

The group offers several events almost every day of the week. Some upcoming events include a robot hacking seminar on both Dec. 7 and 14 called “12 Tasks of Hercules,” as well as “Linux Device Driver Development Training on Dec. 10 and 11, “Mobile App Development Beginner” on Dec. 15, and “Informal Google Glass Office Hours” on Dec. 17.
 

Further information

The free “Learn to Design your own OS booting ARM board” seminar will be held at the Hacker Dojo community center at 599 Fairchild Dr., Mountain View, Calif. at 5PM, Dec, 14. Free registration for 20 attendees may be found at this Fedevel Academy seminar page.