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BeagleBone Black Ships With New Linux 3.8 Kernel

DeviceGuru writes "BeagleBoard.org has begun shipping its faster, cheaper BeagleBone Black SBC with a new Linux 3.8 kernel, supporting Device Tree technology for more streamlined ARM development. The $45 BeagleBone Black runs Linux or Android on a 1GHz TI Sitara AM3359 SOC, doubles the RAM to 512MB of its predecessor, and adds a micro-HDMI port. The updated kernel gives the BeagleBone Black access to a new Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) display driver architecture, as well as full support for the Device Tree data structure introduced to streamline ARM development in Linux 3.7. The project was hesitant to move up to such a recent kernel, but decided it was time to bite the bullet and support the Device Tree. By doing the hard work of switching to Device Tree now, BeagleBoard.org and its developer community can save a lot of configuration and maintenance headaches down the line, says BeagleBoard.org co-founder Jason Kridner. Fortunately, a modified 3.2 kernel 'coming soon' should provide the necessary bridge from the old cape driver architecture to the new one."

64 comments

  1. What a horrid post by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I've been running 3.8 for... ever.

    Try running something other than the god awful Angstrom distro...

  2. PowerVR by Microlith · · Score: 2

    The updated kernel gives the BeagleBone Black access to a new Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) display driver architecture

    Shame about that PowerVR GPU, I don't see it ever actually being able to take advantage of the newer display architecture. I do like the move towards Device Tree. If it gains traction it might actually be possible to treat ARM boards more like x86 boards, rather than needing the board-specific kernels we have to deal with now.

    1. Re:PowerVR by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Shame about that PowerVR GPU, I don't see it ever actually being able to take advantage of the newer display architecture. I do like the move towards Device Tree.

      For $50 Cubieboard has similar specs but comes with a mail400 gpu instead.

      Features
              Allwinner A10 SOC
              96 pin extended interface
              Built-in IR receiver
              SATA supported
              Supports 2.4GHz wireless keyboard and mouse

      Specifications
              CPU: 1G ARM cortex-A8 processor, NEON, VFPv3, 256KB L2 cache
              GPU: Mali400, OpenGL ES GPU
              Memory: 1GB DDR3 @480MHz
              Video output: HDMI 1080p Output
              Network: 10/100M Ethernet
              Internal storage4GB NAND Flash
              IO ports: 2 USB Host, 1 micro SD slot, 1 SATA, 1 ir
              Extended interfaces: 96 extend pin including I2C, SPI, RGB/LVDS, CSI/TS, FM-IN, ADC, CVBS, VGA, SPDIF-OUT, R-TP
              Supports systems: Running Android, Ubuntu and other Linux distributions

    2. Re:PowerVR by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      PowerVR was plenty for quake3 back in the day with very good FPS. I could see a lot of indy games making good use of this. Or it working ok for some other aps.

      It's probably more for the 2d acceleration. The drivers aught to be native and open source if it uses the ones I was. They were somewhat experimental back then.

    3. Re:PowerVR by flayzernax · · Score: 1

      The new PowerVR SGX530 drivers are non-existent for Linux. Totally dependent on DRM

    4. Re:PowerVR by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just checked the cubieboard website and couldn't find the specs you listed here after 5 minutes of browsing it.
      That information should be immediately visible there, what a big oversight.

    5. Re:PowerVR by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      I was thinking shame about that single core processor. Single-core ARM boards are so last year now.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    6. Re:PowerVR by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's on the first page, just to the left of the big buy button.

    7. Re:PowerVR by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The BeagleBone Black has 2 PRU's which allow for realtime operations on the I/O, something that Linux (being a non-realtime OS) cannot handle on its own. This allows, for example, a BeagleBone Black user to use cheap Sonar Sensors to cm accuraccy, something that is not possible on the Raspberry Pi or other embedded Linux devices without external hardware. Do you know if the Cubieboard has something similar?

  3. Re:Fruity Pebbles by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Well, I'm hear to tell you that having your ass licked is a great thing,

    You know, I just can't take your guide to dog sex seriously with grammatical errors like that.

  4. Damn you, content industry by dpidcoe · · Score: 1, Funny

    You know that the content industry has got its hooks sunk in too far when even the linux kernel starts shipping with DRM~~~

    1. Re: Damn you, content industry by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      lol ... not digital rights management

  5. MINIX3! by chocolatetrumpet · · Score: 2

    MINIX3 support coming soon, I hope! Minix is booting on the BeagleBoard-xM, so supporting the BeagleBone Black should not be too much of an issue.

    --
    Spoon not. Fork, or fork not. There is no spoon.
    1. Re:MINIX3! by keesj · · Score: 1

      Hi,

      If you want to fiddle around with MINIX3 and the BBB I have some good new.
      starting yesterday we added initial support for the BBB in the master branch.

      git clone git://git.minix3.org/minix src
      cd src
      export BASE_URL=http://www.minix3.org/arm/beaglebone
      export FLAG=-DAM335X
      export CONSOLE=tty00
      ./releasetools/arm_sdimage.sh

      you can dd the resulting image to an SD-card!

    2. Re:MINIX3! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why the fixed-width font? Are you a precious snowflake?

    3. Re:MINIX3! by unixisc · · Score: 1

      Minix3 support targets BeagleBoard - xM. Is that the same as the Beaglebone mentioned above?

    4. Re:MINIX3! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He's running Minix. It's the only font available.

    5. Re:MINIX3! by chocolatetrumpet · · Score: 1

      The same BeagleBoard-xM, yes. The BeagleBone Black has different specs.

      --
      Spoon not. Fork, or fork not. There is no spoon.
  6. I miss Beagle Bros by jfdavis668 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Every time I see news about this, I keep thinking it says Beagle Bros. I miss their great software and funny documentation.

    1. Re:I miss Beagle Bros by mellon · · Score: 1

      Testify.

    2. Re:I miss Beagle Bros by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I myself prefer the Bang Bros.

    3. Re:I miss Beagle Bros by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'll be sticking with my DogWang.

  7. you are not running debian stable by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I predict pain. But really, good luck.

  8. Re:duh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    LOL wrong article

  9. Re:duh by ColdWetDog · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    I suppose that posting replies on random threads is better than not reading TFA / summary.

    We're making progress? No?

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  10. Solid and Fun Product by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    I have been playing with the BBB for the last 2 weeks and I must say my first impressions are this is awesome but do be prepared to go through some beginning growing pains with 3.8 kernel. Nevertheless, getting opencv working and tracking is always fun

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no2l0OuCSIE&list=UUbFdHnmLyG10884-MPgSDoA&index=1

    It is going to be a bit before the community grows but to help you get started we are trying to get tutorials up as fast as possible...
    http://www.phys-x.org/rbots/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=46:beaglebone-black&layout=blog&Itemid=81&layout=default

    1. Re:Solid and Fun Product by niftymitch · · Score: 1

      I have been playing with the BBB for the last 2 weeks and I must say my first impressions are this is awesome ......

      Yes for a $45 computer it is quite the thing.
      I cannot tell if the Raspberry-Pi or the Beaglebone Black is best but all I can say is that I am sure glad I live in the future. The teaching community has already done a lot on the R-Pi but the BBB has a head start in the hardware add on world. Fun... stuff.

      I am very pleased with the software on the BBB. Both are slow compared to this laptop but hey for $35/$45 they are both astounding.

      --
      Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't. Mark Twain.
    2. Re:Solid and Fun Product by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As popular as the R-Pi is it's very flaky and disappointing when you actually get to know it.

    3. Re:Solid and Fun Product by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The BB has much higher performance than the Pi for one thing, having a newer instruction set and a higher clock. The downside is no HDMI output on the board, it's more for embedded things. I use it for home grown motorcycle telemetry.

  11. Linux OR Android? by dreamchaser · · Score: 3, Informative

    Android is Linux. I get sick of people writing that they are two different things. Yes, the userspace is different, but it Linux is a kernel and Android uses it. Android is every bit as much Linux as is the more familiar GNU/Linux distros.

    1. Re:Linux OR Android? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Android is Linux. I get sick of people writing that they are two different things. Yes, the userspace is different, but it Linux is a kernel and Android uses it. Android is every bit as much Linux as is the more familiar GNU/Linux distros.

      Torvalds thinks Linux is just the kernel, but RS disagrees.

    2. Re:Linux OR Android? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You contradicted yourself. You said "Android is Linux", then you said Linux is a kernel that Android uses (which is mostly true...the Android kernel is modified but not to the point that it is no longer the Linux kernel). It would be more correct for you to say "Android is like GNU/Linux". Which means there is no basis for your contempt.

    3. Re:Linux OR Android? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      So basically, the board runs the Android GNU/Linux distro, and other GNU/Linux distros? That clears it up...

    4. Re:Linux OR Android? by dbc · · Score: 1

      Has Android started sending acceptable patches up stream then? Or are they still on an unmergeable fork? (Not a troll, I simply don't follow Android that closely any more.)

    5. Re:Linux OR Android? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Eat shit and die, retarded asshole. That's not what it says there.

    6. Re:Linux OR Android? by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Who cares? Just you and Stallman really. If you talk to any non-FOSS nerd Linux is that operating system that runs on the PC, and Android is that operating system that runs on a phone. It's completely disingenuous to get your panties in a knot and start listing every possible different users space. It's also confusing to say it will run any userspace on top of the Linux kernel, which may or may not mean that you can get Android running on the thing.

    7. Re:Linux OR Android? by CoolGopher · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Yeah if only people would write GNU/Linux... wait, most distros aren't purely made up of a Linux kernel and GNU tools. Um, SomewhatGNU/Linux? NotJustGNU/Linux? OpenAndOrFreeSource/Linux? But what about whichever distro is using the FreeBSD kernel but the same userland as their Linux-based version? FreeBSD isn't just a kernel, it's an entire OS, so what would that be then? NotJustGNU/FreeBSDKernel?

      I don't know about the rest of you, but I think saying "Linux" and "Android" is about as clear as it's going to get. To non-geeks it conveys the necessary distinction, and geeks already know (and debate) the distinction. Context is a wonderful thing after all.

    8. Re:Linux OR Android? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Yes, actually they do send patches upstream now.

      Wikipedia says: "The merge will be complete starting with Kernel 3.8, Google has opened a public code repository that contains their experimental work to re-base Android off Kernel 3.8."

    9. Re:Linux OR Android? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Informative

      No, cunt, the board runs various Android/Linux distros and various GNU/Linux distros.

    10. Re:Linux OR Android? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Android being the demonstration that it's possible to have a linux kernel at the bottom and still build a shit operating system on top?

    11. Re:Linux OR Android? by loufoque · · Score: 1

      I didn't know Richard Stallman was so open-minded. I guess it makes sense.
      Then again, these kinds of ideas are not well accepted, so it probably only serves to ostracize him.

      From my experience, even the amount of rejection you get for suggesting there is no reason why incest should be illegal is appalling.

    12. Re:Linux OR Android? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Before, the whole GNU/Linux distinction didn't make sense. GNU was Linux, and Linux was GNU, right? Not anymore. Now we actually have different mixes and matches: Android/Linux, Busybox/Linux, GNU/Linux, GNU/Windows (Cygwin), GNU/Mac OS, etc...

    13. Re:Linux OR Android? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't really see why people focus so heavily on the userspace glue. When I build a system my primary concern is the active application. Knowing if it uses GNU or Busybox could be of interest if I want to expand it but I tend to find it more useful to know if it is a LAMP server or if some other flavor is used.
      Of course we could just tag on every little component on the list we write to clarify every time but if we have to shorten it I fell that the GNU part is among the first to go.

    14. Re:Linux OR Android? by cheesybagel · · Score: 1

      Do you program using kernel interrupts or access some library? More than likely you are accessing some library. Which is accessing the C library. Which then calls the kernel.

    15. Re:Linux OR Android? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No it's not. Since you can have Android-only drives, which don't work using a 'gnu/linux' system i consider them two different beasts.
      Most video acceleration drivers don't work for gnu/linux under ARM, which is rather important if you want to build a media center with these things for example.

  12. GIVE ME BIOS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and I'll consider an ARM board. Looking forward to a Temesh/Kabini NUC-like device for cheap enough. At least I can make something useful out of it in an afternoon.

    1. Re:GIVE ME BIOS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  13. Controlling Humidity w an Embedded Linux System by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Can anyone point to a project that does esentially the same as this: Controlling the Humidity with an Embedded Linux System

    A temp controlled beer fermenting setup isn't the direction I need. I'm looking to turn on/off fans and a/c unit (s) based on temp and humidityusing relays, indoor (two sources, hot & cold rooms) and outdoor air sources (hot & cold depending on season or time of day) to regulate one room air quality for my bedroom, I'm disabled and the current a/c unit doesn't shut off when temp reached, rest of house is too hot or cold, running a/c in winter, etc. would like to turn fans on/off to pull cold air into room via ducting, push warm air out, control fans/ a/c / lights through relays w temp & humidity sensors in all rooms and exterior. Additional lamp control via an electrical relay would be a plus.

    I've been running linux for about 15 years on desktop and servers, so I can put together the logic if I see example code, but I'm not a programmer. Any help would be deeply appreciated.

    1. Re:Controlling Humidity w an Embedded Linux System by geoskd · · Score: 1

      Can anyone point to a project that does esentially the same as this: Controlling the Humidity with an Embedded Linux System

      A temp controlled beer fermenting setup isn't the direction I need. I'm looking to turn on/off fans and a/c unit (s) based on temp and humidityusing relays, indoor (two sources, hot & cold rooms) and outdoor air sources (hot & cold depending on season or time of day) to regulate one room air quality for my bedroom, I'm disabled and the current a/c unit doesn't shut off when temp reached, rest of house is too hot or cold, running a/c in winter, etc. would like to turn fans on/off to pull cold air into room via ducting, push warm air out, control fans/ a/c / lights through relays w temp & humidity sensors in all rooms and exterior. Additional lamp control via an electrical relay would be a plus.

      I've been running linux for about 15 years on desktop and servers, so I can put together the logic if I see example code, but I'm not a programmer. Any help would be deeply appreciated.

      Unfortunately, no such project currently exists. A small group of us is working on something similar. It is not targeted at the enthusiast, but at HVAC professionals.

      --
      I wish I had a good sig, but all the good ones are copyrighted
  14. forgot to add this: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    looking to control this via a raspberrypi, a beagle board/bone, or one of the other cheap micro boards similar that run linux (debian or derivative preferred).

  15. Useless for non-embedded applications by Ost99 · · Score: 1

    Max resolution: 1280 x 1024 @75Hz
    Useless for desktop use or as a media player.

    --
    ---- Sig. gone.
    1. Re:Useless for non-embedded applications by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My desktop display is 1280x1024, you insensitive clod!

      (Ok, it's the secondary desktop, and there are two of those displays. Oh, and I certainly wouldn't accept a 1GHz ARM for *desktop* use.)

    2. Re:Useless for non-embedded applications by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For you perhaps. But not *millions* of other people.

  16. How much does the kernel differ from upstream? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I've been looking at these development boards for a while, and they often seem to lag behind when it comes to the kernel. What's holding them back?

    Do the kernels differ significantly from upstream, or is it the binary blobs, or something else? Considering BBB, for example, what's stopping me or someone else from just building a 3.9 kernel with the correct config for ARMv8?

    1. Re:How much does the kernel differ from upstream? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe this article will clarify some of the difficulties with ARM SoC's:

      https://lkml.org/lkml/2013/5/5/35

      Now, keep in mind that with every kernel update, some internals change which can lead to the need to completely change the way a driver works. Added to that, many of the SoC drivers are maintained by the particular project using the SoC, not the mainstream kernel for a variety of reasons (some including not being allowed to distribute source). As you can imagine, it's a lot of work keeping up with a moving target like the Linux kernel...

      Now, that said, having the latest kernel is very often not needed for a device like this. This is why we very often see that a project stabilizes around an 'older' kernel, but this has very little impact on the user space. In fact, going with a newer kernel often means losing capabilities that were present in older versions.

    2. Re:How much does the kernel differ from upstream? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What a bull, sure, most changes these days matter mainly for virtualization or systemd or Chrome/Chromium/ChromeOS but they are there and give you cool new features that often result in higher security, reliability or better performance if only userland cared to use them. Then there's random new driver (moot on embedded), better power management or better scheduler that gets everyone better performance. Also shame on embedded folk for not getting their drivers (assuming they don't just wrap binary blobs) into upstream. Also shame on ARM for lacking any standardization. When epitome of freedom is made by a multinational corporation you know something is either very right or very wrong with the world.

  17. feed to mainline! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    While TI is feeding all the stuff to mainline, it would be nice to have to original beaglebone also working on a newer kernel. All my attempts with 3.9 failed unfortunatly as the ethernet was not working properly. And i still needed tons of patches to get this thing to boot with 3.9. Haven't tried 3.10 yet.

    Any updated info for this obsolete page?
    http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/Sitara_Linux_Upstream_Status

    I hope they won't do the same error with the black version and also sticking to this 3.8 version for to long. In the long run only a mainlined beaglebone will be maintainable.

  18. Re: Controlling Humidity w an Embedded Linux Syste by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    parent comment would be my end design goals. What I'm looking for is the basics, ie: just turning on/off one a/c unit via a solid state relay controlled by a raspberrypi/beaglebone, hooked to one or two rooms of one line or similar temp or temp/humidity sensors. I can safely do the wiring, what's the connections on the relay, code for the rp/beaglebn to operate/monitor, examples, etc., and monitor/change parameters through a web page. Application would be perfect for hvac/home automation, I had similar unpursued plans ten years ago for a grocery store backup for old cooling/refrigeration equipment, but I'm homebound now and not looking to compete.
    Just a simple example to build from.

  19. I assume it would also run Wndows CE, no? by elabs · · Score: 1

    We mostly used embedded Windows on the Beagle XM.

  20. Re:Fruity Pebbles by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Considering your love to beagles, you will love beaglebone black even more. It is 1GHz and has 1GB ram. Try it ;-)

  21. Word of Caution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    FYI if you plan on getting one you WILL need a 5v 1-2A power supply, you simply cannot get enough power out of the USB for more than a couple of peripherals in Angstrom and if you plan on running Arch you won't even be able to load Arch onto the eMMC because they compiled the kernel with performance CPU scaling instead of ondemand. So halfway through extracting arch to the eMMC the board will power off.