How to Create a New BSP Layer Using Yocto-BSP Script: Step-by-Step Guide

The Board Support Package (BSP) is a key component of embedded Linux development in Yocto, enabling hardware-specific customization for embedded platforms. The Yocto-BSP script simplifies the process of creating a new BSP layer by automating essential tasks like setting up configurations for your hardware.

What is a BSP Layer?

A BSP layer in Yocto contains hardware-specific configurations, such as kernel settings, bootloader, and device tree files. This layer is critical for ensuring that the software stack runs correctly on the target hardware.

Steps to Create a BSP Layer Using Yocto-BSP Script

1. Install Yocto Project
   Before proceeding, ensure you have the Yocto build system installed and set up. You can find Yocto installation guides online for your specific platform.
2. Run the Yocto-BSP Script
   Yocto provides a script called yocto-bsp that automates the creation of a new BSP layer. To run the script, enter the following command:

   yocto-bsp create <layer-name> <machine-name>

Replace <layer-name> with the desired name for your new BSP layer and <machine-name> with the specific machine you’re targeting.

3. Directory Structure
   After running the script, a new BSP layer will be generated with the necessary structure:

   meta-layer-name/
   ├── conf/
   ├── recipes-bsp/
   ├── classes/
   └── README

• conf/: Contains machine configuration files (machine.conf) that define the hardware specifics.
• recipes-bsp/: Includes bootloader, kernel, and device tree recipes.
• classes/: Holds custom BitBake classes for building the BSP.

1. Modify Configuration Files
   You’ll need to customize the generated configuration files based on the specific hardware you’re supporting. For example, update the kernel and bootloader versions in recipes-bsp.
2. Add the BSP Layer to the Build
   To include the new BSP layer in your Yocto build, add the path to the bblayers.conf file:

   BBLAYERS += "/path/to/meta-layer"

6. Build the Image
   Once your BSP layer is ready and the configurations are set, build the image:

   bitbake core-image-minimal

This will generate a bootable image tailored for your hardware.

Example: Creating a BSP Layer for Raspberry Pi

To create a BSP layer for Raspberry Pi, you would run:

yocto-bsp create meta-rpi raspberrypi

After customizing the kernel, bootloader, and device tree configurations, you can build the image for your Raspberry Pi.

Creating a BSP layer using the Yocto-BSP script significantly reduces manual effort by automating the process. It allows developers to quickly set up hardware-specific configurations and get started with embedded Linux development on their platform.