ESC Silicon Valley 2007

Michael Anderson
Chief Scientist, The PTR Group, Inc.
Mike Anderson is chief scientist for The PTR Group, Inc. His background encompasses over 25 years of computer experience ranging from supercomputers to embedded 8-bit microprocessors. He is a former chairman of the VxWorks User's Group and has authored several courses and magazine articles designed to teach real-time and embedded systems programming. Anderson holds a BA in Mathematics from the University of South Florida and an MSCS from George Mason University.

[ESC-122] Designing Embedded Systems with Multi-core Processors
Speaker: Michael Anderson (Chief Scientist, The PTR Group, Inc.)
Date/Time: Monday (April 2, 2007) 8:30am — 12:00pm
Submission Proposal History: New
Formats: 3-Hour Class

Key Takeaways
Learn what is happening in new processor architectures and how they will change embedded systems forever.
Audience level: Introductory

Prerequisites
A basic understanding of CPU architectures recommended.

Presentation Abstract
Multi-core processors are becoming more pervasive. Not just x86, but, PPC, ARM and MIPS are all bringing out multi-core variants. This class leads the attendee through the characteristics of advanced processor architectures and present concepts of how to get the most from multi-core processors in embedded systems.
Track: Multi-core & Multi-threaded Processors

[ESC-373] Setting Linux Up for Cross Development
Speaker: Michael Anderson (Chief Scientist, The PTR Group, Inc.)
Date/Time: Wednesday (April 4, 2007) 4:30pm — 6:00pm
Submission Proposal History: New
Formats: 90-Minute Class

Key Takeaways
An approach for setting up their x86-based platform for Linux cross-development.
Audience level: Introductory

Prerequisites
Basic understanding of cross platform development required.

Presentation Abstract
This class presents the steps required to configure a standard Linux desktop system for cross development using an example embedded Linux distribution. This initial set up, including the exportation of a filesystem for the embedded target, requires care to ensure that the embedded tool chain does not contaminate the host tool chain. Also included are the basic steps for configuring DHCP servers, TFTP servers and NFS servers on a number of Linux distributions. This how-to session is targeted at familiarizing the audience with the set-up required before embarking on an embedded Linux project.
Track: Linux

[ESC-407] Using JTAG in Linux Bring-up and Kernel Debugging
Speaker: Michael Anderson (Chief Scientist, The PTR Group, Inc.)
Date/Time: Thursday (April 5, 2007) 8:30am — 10:00am
Submission Proposal History: New
Formats: 3-Hour Class

Key Takeaways
The uses of a JTAG unit in embedded firmware and Linux kernel/device driver development.
Audience level: Intermediate

Prerequisites
Basic understanding of device driver development techniques recommended.

Presentation Abstract
Custom hardware requires custom firmware, BSPs and device drivers. However, how do you get started with a custom BSP if there is no software to load the kernel in the first place? This is the realm of the JTAG hardware debugger. But, how do you plug it in? What can it do? Is it useful for more than just firmware? And, is it worth the money you paid for it? This class describes the uses of the JTAG debugger, both in the initial firmware development, kernel bring up and driver debugging stages. This is accompanied with a live demonstration of a JTAG unit with U-Boot and Linux on an embedded processor.
Track: Debugging, Test & Verification
Secondary Track: Linux/Open Source

[ESC-427] Power Management Techniques and Strategies for Linux, Part 1
Speaker: Michael Anderson (Chief Scientist, The PTR Group, Inc.)
Date/Time: Thursday (April 5, 2007) 11:00am — 12:30pm
Submission Proposal History: New
Formats: 3-Hour Class

Key Takeaways
The attendee will walk away with an approach for the design and implementation of a power management strategy for mobile Linux-based devices.
Audience level: Introductory

Prerequisites
Students should have a basic understanding of real-time/embedded systems and be interested in battery operation of mobile devices.

Presentation Abstract
Linux is fast becoming a major factor in mobile deployments such as cell phones, PDAs, cameras, portable music players etc. However, the traditional Linux kernel was fairly weak in its power management capabilities until the advent of the 2.6 Linux kernel. This presentation will outline the current Linux 2.6 kernel power management capabilities, strategies for implementing power management and present requirements for device driver writers to best take advantage of the degrees of freedom afforded in the hardware for increasing battery life.
Track: Linux

[ESC-447] Power Management Techniques and Strategies for Linux, Part 2
Speaker: Michael Anderson (Chief Scientist, The PTR Group, Inc.)
Date/Time: Thursday (April 5, 2007) 2:00pm — 3:30pm
Submission Proposal History: New
Formats: 3-Hour Class

Key Takeaways
The attendee will walk away with an approach for the design and implementation of a power management strategy for mobile Linux-based devices.
Audience level: Introductory

Prerequisites
Students should have a basic understanding of real-time/embedded systems and be interested in battery operation of mobile devices.

Presentation Abstract
Linux is fast becoming a major factor in mobile deployments such as cell phones, PDAs, cameras, portable music players etc. However, the traditional Linux kernel was fairly weak in its power management capabilities until the advent of the 2.6 Linux kernel. This presentation will outline the current Linux 2.6 kernel power management capabilities, strategies for implementing power management and present requirements for device driver writers to best take advantage of the degrees of freedom afforded in the hardware for increasing battery life.
Track: Linux