Linux Platform Device Drivers Development with Project. (019)

An Abstract

Linux Platform Device Drivers are crucial for managing integrated peripheral hardware within System-on-Chips (SoCs) and embedded systems. This driver model handles devices that cannot be dynamically discovered (non-enumerable), such as on-chip GPIO controllers, timers, or fixed-address memory-mapped peripherals. The mechanism relies on the Platform Bus, which couples platform devices—often defined by the Device Tree (DT)—with their corresponding drivers. The driver registers probe and remove methods, enabling the kernel to automatically initialize the hardware, map I/O resources, and set up essential interrupts. This standardized approach ensures driver portability and cleanly integrates proprietary hardware into the core Linux Device Model.

Introduction to Training

Welcome to our intensive 20-session live course on Linux Platform Device Drivers Development! This program is meticulously designed for embedded engineers ready to master the core Linux Device Model. Across 20 focused hours, we will move from fundamental kernel module concepts and Device Tree integration to advanced interrupt handling and resource management. The central project involves implementing a complete, production-quality Linux GPIO Platform Device Driver from scratch, including user-space interaction via character devices and ioctl. You will gain essential, hands-on experience for developing robust, custom drivers for any SoC peripheral.

Training Objective

The primary objective of this training is to enable embedded engineers to competently design, implement, and debug custom kernel-level Platform Device Drivers. Participants will gain practical mastery of the Linux Device Model, specializing in non-enumerable peripherals. By successfully building a complete, production-ready GPIO Platform Driver from scratch over 20 sessions, attendees will learn to: integrate drivers using the Device Tree (DT) standard; manage hardware resources via memory-mapped I/O (ioremap); implement character device interfaces for user-space control (ioctl, read/write); and handle hardware interrupts efficiently. This ensures the ability to reliably develop drivers for any custom SoC or peripheral component.

Pre-requisites

→ Very good programming skills in c

→ Aspirant must have already completed these modules...

→ Linux Kernel Architecture and Internals. click to know more...

→ Character Device Driver Development. click to know more...

→ Serial Port Device Driver Development. click to know more...

Agenda

→ The Duration of Training is:

→ 20 Live online sessions followed by assignments

→ Considering 4 0r 5 sessions and assignments per week,

→ it will take 4 or 5 weeks to understand and implement complete I2C driver.

Course Delivery

Online: Live interactive sessions via video conferencing platforms for theoretical lessons.
In-person: Hands-on labs and debugging sessions for practical, real-world application.
Hybrid: A combination of online theory classes and in-person or virtual lab sessions for comprehensive learning.

Training Methodology

Lectures: Presentations covering both foundational concepts and advanced topics in device driver development.
Hands-On Labs: Real-world programming exercises to develop and test device drivers on Linux.
Reading Assignments: Curated resources, including kernel documentation, programming books, and articles.
Videos: Visual content to supplement learning and demonstrate coding techniques and solutions.

Salient Features of this training program

→ Complete Hands-On Driver Project: Participants will build a full, production-quality Linux GPIO Platform Device Driver from scratch, serving as the central learning project.

→ Live Online, Focused Format: The program consists of 15 dedicated, 1-hour live online sessions, ensuring focused learning and direct instructor interaction without fatigue.

→ Device Tree (DT) Mastery: Extensive coverage on integrating custom hardware using the modern Device Tree standard, a critical skill for modern embedded Linux development.

→ User-Space API Design: Dedicated focus on creating robust user-space interfaces, specifically implementing the read, write, and advanced ioctl system calls via character devices.

→ Deep Dive into gpiolib: Practical mastery of the Linux GPIO subsystem (gpiolib) through implementing the essential struct gpio_chip callbacks (get, set, direction).

→ Direct Hardware Access: Practical instruction on managing I/O resources and performing Memory-Mapped I/O (MMIO) using ioremap and iowriteXX/ioreadXX for register access.

→ Interrupt Handling Proficiency: Step-by-step guidance on implementing the kernel's Interrupt Subsystem, including writing Interrupt Service Routines (ISRs) for GPIO input.

→ Concurrency and Locking: Covers advanced topics like protecting critical regions using kernel synchronization primitives (Spinlocks and Mutexes) to ensure driver stability.

→ Professional Debugging Toolkit: Introduction to critical kernel debugging techniques, including using debugfs, ftrace, and dynamic debugging features for efficient troubleshooting.

→ Structured, Incremental Learning: The course is logically structured across four distinct phases (Foundations, GPIO Deep Dive, Implementation, Debugging) to facilitate clear, progressive skill development.