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BeagleBone README Quick-Start Guide

BeagleBone System Reference Manual <-- please read before asking for help
BeagleBone README Quick-Start Guide <-- latest version of this document

This document was last updated for BeagleBone revision A6.

Available software updates

Angstrom Mirrors <-- latest pre-built microSD card images
Building Angstrom <-- instructions to rebuild the image

Other currently available starting images

Super-quick-start

Connect Ethernet and browse to beaglebone.local. You can also 'ssh root@beaglebone.local'.

Your browser will introduce you to the board features and Cloud9 IDE with Bonescript.

beaglebone.local

To provide this network name, the BeagleBone is running Avahi and a DHCP client. This is supported by most network configurations and Mac, Windows and Linux computers.

You can also connect to your BeagleBone using built-in USB-to-serial or USB-to-Ethernet.

Powering options

You may power via a USB cable (provided) or purchase a recommended 5V power adapter.

Note: Some software images limit the clock speed of the BeagleBone by determining if the power source is USB or the 5V adapter to avoid excess use of current.

Using USB-to-serial/JTAG/Ethernet on your computer

Drivers

Depending on the platform and board revision, you may need to manualy install or load drivers for access to these interfaces.

Operating System USB-to-serial (FTDI) Ethernet over USB (Gadget)
Windows (32-bit) BONE_DRV.exe BONE_DRV.exe
Windows (64-bit) BONE_D64.exe BONE_D64.exe
Mac OS X Rev A3-A4: FTDI_Ser.dmg
Rev A5+: Not required 		Not required
Linux Rev A3-A4: mkudevrule.sh
Rev A5+: Not required 		Not required

Note:
On revision A3/A4 boards, the VID/PID matches the TI XDS100v2: 0x0403/0xA6D0
On revision A5+ boards, the generic FTDI VID/PID is used: 0x0403/0x6010

JTAG debug

Code Composer Studio v5 (CCSv5) is available for free for BealgeBone users and is a TI-provided Eclipse-based integrated development environment that enables you to debug and develop C/C++ applications. Please visit the CCSv5 Frequently Asked Questions page.

OpenOCD is an application that provides JTAG-based debugging on all three operating systems, but currently only Linux is verified. Please visit Matt Massey's blog post describing installation in Ubuntu.

Connect to your BeagleBone's serial console

Under Windows, it is recommended to follow the Adafruit tutorial.

For Mac or Linux, it is recommended simply to invoke 'screen': 

screen `ls /dev/{tty.usb*B,beaglebone-serial}` 115200
Type CTRL-a k to exit screen.

Launch USB-to-Ethernet interface

Eject the "BEAGLE_BONE" drive to enable the USB-to-Ethernet interface.

At boot-up, the processor on your BeagleBone is running a USB storage "gadget" driver that served you up this file. For this software build, you need to swap the storage gadget for a USB-to-Ethernet gadget when you are ready to establish an IP connection over your USB cable.

  • From your PC, eject the BEAGLE_BONE USB drive. The USB Ethernet gadget will automatically start.

    Note #1: It has been observed in Windows that it may actually take a couple of minutes for the driver to load on occasion.

    Note #2: It has been observed in Windows that you may be prompted to locate the 'linux.inf' file. If you installed the driver properly, you should be able to find it under c:\windows\system32\drvstore\linux_...

  • Configure the adapter that appears for DHCP.
  • The adapter should be given the IP address 192.168.7.1.
  • The BeagleBone should have IP address 192.168.7.2.
  • It is recommended to use Chrome or Firefox.

Hardware

Design materials

Revisions

CircuitCo.com's BeagleBone page documents all of the known hardware issues.

A3

This is the original version of the board. Main issue was issues with the reset switch where the reset line was being pulled low which could cause random dropping of the Ethernet port. This issue has not be seen broadly.

A4

This version of the board was mainly to provide a new SD connector due to supply issues. Also added was R219 in an attempt to make the Yellow LED on the RJ45 turn on when at 100M operation. This caused the Ethernet not to work on power up but did work after a board reboot.

A5

This version of the board returns the functionality of the board to that of the Rev A3 via the removal of R219. There have been no PCB changes for this revision. It uses the same PCB revision as the A4. It also ships with an updated version of the Angstrom image providing out of the box support for the DVI-D and 7” LCD Capes.

There will be three possible versions of the Rev A5. One will be the new production version that is built from the ground up as an A5. The second version will be a reworked Revision A4 that has R219 removed at the factory and retested. The third version will be a revision A3, that just has the updated SW added. All reworked versions will have the reset switches double checked as well. All reworked boards will be retested using the full production test process.

You will be able to identify these versions via the serial number. They all will be labeled as revision A5. The two digits after the BB in the serial number, S/N: 5111BB000023, will indicate the board. A fresh revision A5, will be 00, A4 reworked will be 01, and a recertified A3 will be 02. There is no functional or operational difference between any of these boards. They are all revision A5 and will ship with the same SW.

A6

This version of the board has several updates, but none should impact execution of existing software.

  • Yellow LED to turns on during 100M operation
  • Two additional PRU signals overlaid with existing signals to the expansion header
  • Moved resistors away from the standoff
  • Removed connection to VPP pin from the layout
  • Removed R163 to avoid spurious JTAG reset issues
  • Removed incorrect and ignored configuration resistor for LAN8710

Software updates

Known issues and to-do list

  • System
    • Mount time for USB-to-Ethernet may take a couple of minutes under Windows
  • Kernel
    • Need completed CAN drivers
    • Need improved PWM support
    • Need device tree support and run-time configuration with daughterboards
    • Need improved USB and USB DMA support
    • Need improved SD performance
  • SD card image
    • Add Java
    • Need simplified IP discovery
    • Need improved GateOne performance and resolve 'redirect loop' issue
    • Need to consider ConnMan tethering for USB-based IP
    • 'top' refresh rate can sometimes be crazy fast
    • Restore automounting of hotplugged media
    • Restore Matrix and add application entries for GateOne and Cloud9 IDE
  • Documentation
    • Need daughterboard building guide
    • Add graphics and/or videos where appropriate
    • Need full description of /sys entries
    • Basic information on apps for each major interface type, ie. I2C, SPI, etc.
    • Need to highlight daughterboard ("cape") EEPROM spec
  • Cloud9 IDE and BoneScript
    • Update the git data to match the checked out repository
    • Update version of Bone101 included to one that runs
    • Inclusion of node-fibers such that delays don't hog the CPU
    • Arduino-like automatic execution of installed apps
    • Dynamic web conent example with board status and streaming data
    • Optimal utilization of the PRU and performance improvements
    • Extensive improvements to the BoneScript API
    • Need examples on programming in C and Python through the Cloud9 IDE interface
    • Include npm and several node modules