Hardware Considerations for the Boot Loader
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8/27/2008
The hardware design of a target device influences how it is used and how effective it is as a development and test tool. The following list shows hardware considerations when you are developing a target device for development or testing:
- Allow ROM or flash memory containing the boot loader to be replaceable or support a JTAG interface.
- Provide a hardware switch to allow booting directly to a run-time image in flash memory or to allow booting the boot loader directly. Alternatively, use a software switch setting.
- Provide ample RAM and flash memory to support debugging. Run-time images that support the kernel debugger can be much larger than run-time images that support products for release to customers.
- Provide debug LEDs on target devices during the early stages of development to facilitate debugging of the initial startup code. An optional low-quantity, plug-in debugging board with seven-segment LEDs, universal asynchronous receiver-transmitters (UARTs), and Ethernet would be useful.