09/13/08 - 09/16/08

[08:22:56] Thumb mode is a mode on ARM processors that allows improved code-density. [08:22:45] 'cmp' is a command line program for Unix operating systems. It compares two files and writes the results to the standard output. Standard output is a stream where a program writes it's output data. It is the text terminal that initiates a program. [19:20:46] Enterprise Volume Management System (EVMS) is used to manage storage systems under Linux.

[00:31:55] LHC stands for Large Hadron Collider, the worlds highest-energy particle accelerator with the purpose of colliding with opposing beams of protons or lead (two types of hadrons) at up to 99.99% the speed of light. It is used to test various predictions of high-energy physics. [19:21:51] International Building Code (IBC) is a model building code developed by ICC. A model building code develops and maintains a standard organization independent of jurisdiction responsible for enacting it. IBC is also a trade show were several BeagleBoard.org community members participated.

[08:31:36] Koen mentioned on 9/16/08 that "...angstrom supports uclibc and eglibc, so it adds the libc-type in the directory tree".

09/12/08 - 09/13/08

[01:41:47] ARM Cortex-A9 will have a fully pipelined VFPv3. The A9 has not been shipped yet. [03:47:11] MLO is an X-loader on an SD card. [03:07:43] Often referred to as a NAND operation in Boolean algebra and digital electronics, alternate denial states that at least one of its operands is false. NAND is an abbreviation for "not and". NAND also refers to a type of high-density flash storage device that utilizes that type of logic gate.

I have noticed that "VFAT" shows up a lot in the IRC logs. FAT stands for File Allocation Table and is a computer file system architecture developed by Bill Gates and Marc McDonald. It is the primary file system for many operating systems, including Microsoft Windows. VFAT is an extension to FAT for long file names. It is also known as "Virtual FAT". The VFAT driver appeared before Windows 95.

[00:16:34] ALSA stands for Advanced Linux Sound Architecture. It is a Linux kernel component intended to provide device drivers for sound cards. An ALSA driver is simply a sound device driver. [00:17:06] OSS is an abbreviation for Open Sound System, a standard interface for making and capturing sound in Unix operating systems. It is also sometimes refers to the software in a Unix kernel that provides its interface. In such a scenario, the OSS can be considered a device driver or collection of device drivers for sound controller hardware.

[01:32:06] McBSP is the synchronous serial port on the OMAP's. It is used to generate the I2S stream for the CODEC. McBSP is an acronym for Multi-Channel Buffered Serial Port. [06:53:46] Texas Instrument's Zoom is an MDK (Mobile Development Kit). It has a nice display/ touch screen panel and controller. It also has a built in stereo speakers and a 3.1 megapixel camera. Very spiffy.

09/09/08 - 09/10/08

[03:36:06]OMAP2 and OMAP3 can run ARM and DSP together. IVA2.2 is the Imaging, Video, and Audio accelerator sub-system, used in OMAP35x. [11:17:53] Quetoo is OpenGL only. Polymide is an orange, high temperature plastic tape that does not get melted by solder. It is used frequently as a heat shield and an insulator. It is more commonly known as kapton tape. [00:31:03] I learned that there are no royalty fees for the Beagle Board. [00:32:41] I also learned that the Beagle Board is meant more for learning OMAP, versus it being used to build systems.

[07:41:43] Angstrom uses opkg. opkg is a lightweight package managment sysem based off of Ipkg. The upgrade includes (but is not limited to) the ability to re-organize and clean up source codes into sub directories, mark auto-installed packages, and contains an additional command line for the purpose of removing "auto installed" packages. [09:01:19] Bitbake makes its packages by using ipkg-build(package). Even so, both packages are the same, regardless of whether or not it uses opkg or ipkg in the root.

Introduction

Hello. My name is Ashley Raines and I am an intern at Texas Instruments. I will be working with the Beagleboard and its clients. I expect to post something new every day that I work at TI, in regards to what I have learned.

09/05/08 - 09/08/08

9/5/08 IRC logs
By viewing this day's log, I learned that to connect a Beagle Board a null modem cable and IDC10 to DB9 an AT/Everex adapter is required. I also learned that the IDC10 adapter has a black female connector on one end which is used to connect to the Beagle Board. The other end of the adapter is a DB9 male adapter connected to a metal bracket. A picture can be found at http://www.pccables.com/07120.htm.

9/6/08 IRC logs
I found out that the Beagle Board is far more affordable than others of its kind on the market. I learned that you can compile kernels on the device, as long as there is enough room available. The Beagle Board is what people use to start "projects". It is essentially a little ARM computer. It has the storage, RAM, CPU, and graphics card, all in one.

9/7/08 IRC logs
Digi-Key is not out of stock with Beagle Board and should be receiving approximately 200 boards per week. It is recommended to get a 5V power supply for the board and a serial adapter and cable. The Beagle Board has OMAP3530 ES2.1, not an ES 2.2, as believed on the IRC channel ([09:51:13]).

There is an Ubuntu port for the Beagle Board ([09:49:31]). There is no arm7v version of Ubuntu ([09:48:57]).

FFmpeg uses the NEON SIMD unit and handles a lot of video codecs ([09:34:27]). Fmod is not an opensource, therefore it does not run on Linux. It does however run on xbox, ps, and power pc (older mac). Beagle Board is popular in the handhelds! ([10:19:03])

([10:10:09]) The desktop manager and Linux kernel requires 30MB of RAM when idling at the desktop. However, you can change the Windows Manager to something lighter, and then the memory would suffice for a virtual reality chat.
[10:14:50] Opengl es driver (for 3d support) is expected to be available at the end of the year.

9/8/08 IRC logs
My boss plays hockey.
[03:14:08] Apparently, attempting a daughter board on top of the Beagle Board does not work out so well, and would be better if it were on the bottom or sitting off to the side connected by a ribbon cable.
[03:14:11] JRC stands for JTAG Route Controller.