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Hardware Considerations for the Boot Loader

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The hardware design of the target influences how it is used and how effective it is as a development and test tool. The following list shows the hardware considerations to keep in mind when developing the target device:

  • Allow ROM or flash memory containing the boot loader to be replaceable or support a JTAG interface.
  • Provide a hardware switch to select booting directly to an OS image in flash memory or to boot the boot loader. Another option is using a software switch setting.
  • Provide ample RAM and flash memory to support debugging. Debug OS images can be much larger than retail OS images.
  • 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 debug board with 7-segment LEDs, universal asynchronous receiver-transmitters (UARTs), and Ethernet would be useful.

See Also

Boot Loaders | Recommended Boot Loader Features

Last updated on Wednesday, April 13, 2005

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