Unpacking NXP’s Linux: From Yocto to Debian

Exploring NXP's Linux Software Enablement for i.MX Processors 

In this episode of the EdgeVerse Techcast, join hosts Kyle and Bridgette as they dive into NXP's Linux software enablement for their Application Processors with expert guest Champ Iyengar. Champ details the advantages of NXP's Yacto and Debian Linux distributions, explores their unique features, including enhanced security with EdgeLock, power efficiency, and connectivity support. He also explains the importance of NXP's advanced capabilities in graphics, AI/ML, and networking and how these contribute to various applications in Industrial and IoT sectors. The discussion further highlights the ease of integrating NXP's Linux solutions into development projects, the role of hypervisors in complex systems, and the valuable resources like GoPoint demo programs and Application Code Hub available for developers. Tune in to learn how NXP is powering innovation and supporting developers every step of the way. 

Explore NXP Linux Software Enablement:

• https:/www.nxp.com/linux
• https://mcuxpresso.nxp.com/appcodehub?deviceFamily=imx

00:00 Introduction to EdgeVerse Techcast 

00:21 Meet Champ Iyengar 

00:48 Overview of NXP's Linux Software Enablement 

01:17 Deep Dive into Yacto and Debian 

02:41 Security Features in NXP's Linux Distributions 

04:10 Applications and Power Efficiency 

05:25 Connectivity and Smart Device Integration 

06:34 Hypervisors and System Infrastructure 

08:09 Developer Resources and Support 

10:18 Conclusion and Next Steps

Episode Transcript

Bridgette Stone (00:04):
Welcome everyone to the EdgeVerse Techcast, where you will learn
about NXP software tools and enablementfor our Processors and Microcontrollers.

Kyle Dando (00:13):
Today we're excited to explore NXP's Linux Software Enablement,
and I don't think there's anyonebetter to guide us than Champ Iyengar.
Champ, could you introduceyourself to our listeners?

Champ Iyengar (00:23):
Sure.
Hi Kyle.
Uh, Bridgette and everyone listening.
Um, my name is Champ Iyengar.
I'm a Software Product Manager.
I lead, , the software enablementof all, uh, i.MX Processors at NXP.
It's great to be here and, I'm excitedto discuss about, uh, how NXP is at
the forefront of, uh, integratingSoftware and Hardware innovations.

Bridgette Stone (00:48):
And we're talking about NXP software support for
our Applications Processors.
Correct.
Specifically the i.MX products.

Champ Iyengar (00:56):
Exactly.
NXP has been focusing on providingsoftware that meets our customer's
needs , with our processorssupporting several operating systems.
Today I'll focus on the two flavors ofLinux, the Yacto based Linux and Debian.

Bridgette Stone (01:13):
Very cool.
So Champ, let's jump right in.
NXP's Linux offerings.
You've got Yacto andDebian For those tuning in.
What makes these two sospecial and how does NXP make
Linux work for our customers?

Champ Iyengar (01:28):
Absolutely.
Uh, we support two flavors, aYacto based Linux and Debian.
Linux, you know, hasgot many moving parts.
The LTS version of the kernelthat comes out once a year.
Uh.
Uh, we get newer version of Yacto,uh, U Boot, which is the boot loader
also gets released periodically.

(01:48):
And last, but not last, but notthe least, the, the new i.MX
chips that gets introduced.
Our Linux strategy is to bring allthese moving parts together and
come up with a cadence that offersour customers with, uh, the most up
to date, , Linux software release.
Our, um, Linux is always based onLTS kernel, which means it inherits

(02:14):
the strong technical accumulationand Long-term Stability support
from the open source community.
In terms of the kernel, it not onlysupports, uh, basic drivers, but also
has developed loadable firmware forthe security and system control units.

Bridgette Stone (02:35):
Very cool.
So it's not just about runningLinux, but making it a powerhouse.
Right?
Tell me though, how does NXPbring extra security to the
table with these distributions?

Champ Iyengar (02:46):
Sure.
Regarding security, we have tomention its support for the system
security feature, which is EdgeLock.
EdgeLock is like a sturdyshield for the system.
Through our unique encryption andauthentication technologies it
protects the system from variouspotential security threats.

Kyle Dando (03:11):
Okay.
So security aside though, , youmentioned we have two options.
We have Yacto and you have Debian.
What's the real difference,which one of these would
developers tend to lead toward?

Champ Iyengar (03:21):
Yes.
, The second flavor of Linuxthat we support is Debian.
, It provides a user friendly,ready to use experience perfect
for rapid system evaluations.
Um, it's a little bit less complexto set up, , with straightforward,
, package management Yacto, um, howevergives more control and flexibility.

(03:45):
Ideal for customers requiringa, customized solution.

Kyle Dando (03:50):
Okay.
Yeah, it sounds like Yacto is forthose hardcore DIYers, and they
probably like to customize everything.
Whereas Debian is for those speeddemons who prefer to get started
with a stable proven platform.
So you gotta love it when the choicesthat we provide meet the requirements
of our developers, despite howbroadly different they can be.

(04:10):
Alright, so now let's talk aboutthe broad range of applications
running on NXP i.MX devices.
So I've heard that the NXP customersreally value the stability and the
flexibility offered by the i.MX family.
What are some hidden gems in NXP'sLinux software that developers may love
to integrate into their new products?

Champ Iyengar (04:30):
Sure.
, NXP, , advanced IPs such as Graphics,Security, AI/ML, Vision, Networking.
Uh, there's so many.
They, they really push theboundaries of what's really possible.
We are not just talkingabout one industry here.
These capabilities are driving innovationacross, , fields from, Industrial to IoT.

(04:55):
But, you know, here's the kicker.
Our Linux system is optimizedfor low power consumption.
In applications like, Home Appliancesand IOT devices power efficiency is key.
NXP's Linux distribution dynamically sortof adjusts the power consumption based

(05:17):
on the running status of the device.
Which can, you know, save alot of energy in the long run.
You know, let's not forgetabout the connectivity.
NXP Linux software has full supportfor wireless technologies like Wifi,
Bluetooth, and more, including,you know, these standards called

(05:39):
Matter, Thread, ZigBee and UWB.
This opens the door for IOTand Smart Device applications.
Um, enabling devices to sort ofseamlessly connect, , and work together.
Just picture a smart home with lights,air conditioners and, and TVs to, to all

(06:02):
talk to each other effortlessly, bringinggreat convenience to people's lives.

Kyle Dando (06:09):
Wow.
So you rattle through that listand that's the whole caboodle.
That's the whole ecosystem.
It's amazing to, when you talkabout all that, the i.MX Processors
can do, it really helps make thoseapplications possible for the customers.
But I'm gonna, I'm gonna askyou to go one more step, so,

Champ Iyengar (06:24):
Mm-hmm.

Kyle Dando (06:25):
But what else?
What are some of the other featuresthat customers really value when
evaluating NXP's i.MX software?
Keep going.

Champ Iyengar (06:34):
Uh, uh, the other important item that one cannot really overlook is
the support for the system infrastructure,such as, the connections and storage.
This is really critical in productsto ensure stable connections and
efficient, data storage for the devicein various network environments.

(06:58):
So with this Yacto release, we areoffering support for the Hypervisors.
Which is a, which is a game changer.
, We support a Jailhouse and Zen.
These are the twohypervisors that we support.
They allow you to run multiple, youknow, multiple operating systems on the
same hardware platform at the same time.

(07:21):
This is especially valuable for complexsystems like industrial automation
where you might need a, real-time OSto manage, production and a general
purpose OS for things like data analysis.
This Hypervisor enables thatseamless integration giving, giving
you two separate virtual machines,uh, and giving developers a more

(07:45):
flexibility and a development space.

Bridgette Stone (07:47):
Oh, the Hypervisor.
That's definitely thegame changer for sure.
Being able to run multipleOS on the same hardware.
I can already picture the possibilitiesin Industrial Automation, but for
developers tuning in, it's notjust about the software, it's about
how easily they can bring thesesystems into their own applications.

(08:09):
So Champ, for these developers, how easyis it to take all this Linux goodness
and plug it into their own projects?
What resources does NXP provideto help get them started?

Champ Iyengar (08:21):
Great question, Bridgette.
At the application layer NXP offersdemonstration programs called demo
programs that showcase integratedmultimedia and decoder architecture.
These demo programs help developersget up to speed quickly by providing

(08:43):
hands-on experience with the systemso they can easily understand its
capabilities and accelerate their, theirprocess, their development process.

Bridgette Stone (08:54):
So where can developers find these demo programs?
Are they bundled with the Yacto/Debian distributions, or do they
need to hunt them down somewhere else?
How easy is it to locate,run, and integrate these
into our customer's projects?

Champ Iyengar (09:10):
Okay.
That's a great question.
And then brings me to the next,point that I would want to
highlight, which is called GoPoint.
It makes it easier for developerswhen NXP provides this demo program
called GoPoint in the Linux release.
This GoPoint is a demo program thatallows, uh, how NXP's Hardware and

(09:31):
Software work together in real worldscenarios, focusing mainly on AI/ML,
and , other advanced features.
Developers can really find moreapplication examples , code snippets
and, and design documents throughNXP's hub called Application Code Hub.

(09:52):
It's a portal.
Uh, it's, it's really agold mine of resources.
Whether you are an experienced,, developer or just getting started.
There are lots of valuable content thatcan speed up your development process.

Kyle Dando (10:07):
That's great Champ.
So the GoPoint for the MPUs are alsoshowcased in the Application Code Hub?

Champ Iyengar (10:14):
Yeah, yeah.
It is.

Kyle Dando (10:15):
So i'll put that in the episode notes and
we'll get people right there.
Well Champ, this has beenincredibly insightful.
I've learned a ton.
I feel like you've covered a lot aboutour software solutions and how our i.MX
processors for NXP really help customers.
But to wrap up, can you tell ourlisteners how they can get support?
So once they get started evaluatingall the things that you've mentioned.

(10:39):
What do you think is the best wayfor them to get support as they
start on their development journey?

Champ Iyengar (10:44):
Absolutely it, it's common for, you know, developers to run into
challenges as they consume our software,when they explore new software solutions.
But rest assured, , NXP has got people,all the developers and the users covered.
We offer a comprehensive, , supportsystem, including our standard support

(11:04):
process, community resources, professionalservices, and even third party support.
No matter if you are facing a technicalissue or need some sort of a guidance
on application development, thereis always some support channel open
for you to help keep your projecton track and make you move forward.

Bridgette Stone (11:26):
Wow, Champ.
Thanks for all the insights today.
We'll make sure to include thesupport and some of the other links
you shared in the show notes so thatour listeners can go check 'em out.
So, from exploring Linux and multi-OSsolutions to all the incredible
resources for developers, it'sclear that NXP is setting the stage
for truly exciting possibilities.

Champ Iyengar (11:48):
Yeah, it's been a pleasure Bridgette and Kyle.
You know, our goal is always toprovide the best tools and support
to help developers stay aheadof the curve and no matter what
they're building on an NXP product.

Kyle Dando (12:01):
And we just skimmed the surface, right?

Champ Iyengar (12:03):
We did indeed.
We did.

Kyle Dando (12:05):
So why don't we get you back on, we'll talk and we'll figure
out another date and another topic.
'cause I know there's a lot touncover and share with the listeners.
For our listeners, if you enjoyed today'sepisode, don't forget to hit that Like
button, Subscribe and make sure youturn on a Notifications so you never
miss one of these exciting episodes.
And just as I asked Champ, if youhave a topic that you'd like to hear

(12:28):
about our Application Processors orour Microcontrollers or some of the
Tools we put together, put those inthe comment section and we'll work
on getting those as the next episode.

Bridgette Stone (12:37):
Until next time, keep innovating.
Keep building and we'll catch you on thenext episode of the EdgeVerse Techcast.