Latest education kit enhances embedded computing

The courseware is modular and includes a set of lecture slides with notes, as well as lab manuals with solutions. As with previous Education Kits from the ARM University Program, the courseware covers fundamental theoretical concepts coupled with a hands-on approach that includes real Linux implementations on an ARM Cortex-A9 based i.MX 6Solo SoC, which is available on the low cost UDOO NEO board.

Embedded computing is ubiquitous these days. Whether it is in consumer electronics, wearables, automotive, medical, industrial or military applications, modern embedded systems are increasingly relying on powerful processors capable of running full operating system stacks. The Linux operating system is increasingly popular in embedded computers given its open source nature, large user community base and software ecosystem, customisability and extendibility.

This means that knowledge of the Linux architecture coupled with the practical skills involved in configuring and building a full Linux operating system stack are crucial in modern computing. This is why the Embedded Linux Education Kit has been developed - to train students and aspiring engineers in Linux development, a skill crucially needed in today’s job market.

Partnerships with both academia and industry informed our development of the ARM University Program Embedded Linux Education Kit. From academia, Professor Massimo Violante of Politecnico di Torino, Italy, led the academic development of the courseware. Massimo has been teaching embedded systems design for many years and also has a wealth of real world collaboration experience with the embedded systems industry.

Professor Massimo Violante, Politecnico di Torino, Italy commented: “The aim of this Education Kit is to give students both theoretical knowledge of what embedded Linux is, and practical skills to help them put that theory into practice. For this purpose, besides formal lectures, the courseware includes labs using hardware and software tools which give representative examples of current industrial practices. As embedded Linux is already widespread in a number of applications from automotive to networking and entertainment, and becoming even more pervasive with the diffusion of IoT devices, the Embedded Linux Education Kit will endow students with important industry relevant skills.”

To offer customers complete solutions, including convenient access to hardware platforms, ARM has partnered with Mouser to distribute the UDOO NEO boards to academic institutions worldwide.

Mark Patrick, Supplier Marketing Manager, Mouser Electronics added: “Mouser is eager to work with the next generation of embedded system designers. We recognise that distributors need to address the entire design ecosystem which includes high quality teaching/training materials that support low cost yet powerful hardware platforms, in order to upskill engineers of the future. Working together with ARM, UDOO and academic institutions, we are excited to offer a complete solution – ICs and other components, development boards, tools, software and technical resources - in the form of the Embedded Linux Education Kit to customers worldwide.”

How can you get the Embedded Linux Education Kit?
The Embedded Linux Education Kit teaching materials are available free of charge to qualified academics from universities worldwide. In addition to providing technical support for courseware development, the UDOO project is also supporting this Embedded Linux Education Kit with seed hardware, to be donated to selected academic adopters from universities worldwide.