how can build single board computer like Raspberry Pi for run OS?

Question

my question is : how can build single board computer like Raspberry Pi for run OS ?

user ARM micro processor and debian arm os , can use USB and etc.

like raspberry pi and other single board computer

i search but find nothing for help me !!! :(

Answer 1

The reason you can find nothing is probably because it is a specialist task undertaken by companies with appropriate resources in terms of expertise, equipment, tools and money.

High-end microprocessors capable of running an OS such as Linux use high-pin-density surface mount packages such as BGA or TQFP, these (especially BGA) require specialist equipment to manufacture and cannot reliably or realistically be assembled by hand. The pin count and density necessitates the use of multi-layer boards, these again require specialist manufacture.

What you would have to do if you wanted your own board, is to design your board, source the components, and then have it manufactured by a contract electronics assembly house. Short runs and one-off's will cost you may times that of just buying a COTS development or application board. It is only cost-effective if you are ultimately manufacturing a product that will sell in high volumes. It is only these volumes that make the RPi so inexpensive (and until recently Chinese manufacture).

Even if you designed and had your own board built, that in itself requires specialist knowledge and skill. The bus speeds on such processors require very specific layout to maintain signal integrity and timing and to avoid EMC problems. The cost of suitable schematic capture and board layout software might also be prohibitive, no doubt there are some reasonably capable open source tools - but you will have to find one that generates output your manufacturer can use to set-up their machinery.

Some lower-end 8 bit microcontrollers with low pin count are suitable for hand soldering or even DIP socketing, using a bread-board or prototyping board, but that is not what you are after.

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[Further thoughts added 14 Sep 2012]

This is probably only worth doing if one or more of the following are true:

• Your aim is to gain experience in board design, manufacture and bring-up as an academic or career development exercise and you have the necessary financial resources.

• You envisage high production volumes where the economies of scale make it less expensive than a COTS board.

• You have product requirements for specific features or form-factor not supported by COTS boards.

• You have restricted product requirements where a custom board tailored to those and having no redundant features might, in sufficient volumes be cost-effective.

Note that COTS boards come in two types: Application modules intended for integration in a larger system or product, and development boards that tend to have a wide range of peripherals, switches, indicators and connectivity options and often a prototyping area for your own use.

Answer 2

I know this is an old question, but I've been looking into the same thing, possibly for different reasons, and it now comes up at the top of a google search providing more reasons not to ask or even look into it than it provides answers.

For an overview of what it takes to build a linux running board from scratch this link is incredibly useful:

http://hforsten.com/making-embedded-linux-computer.html

It details:

• The bare minimum you need in terms of hardware ( ARM processor, NAND flash etc )
• The complexities of getting a board designed
• The process of programming the new chip on the board to include bootloaders and then pointing them to a linux kernel for the chip to boot.

Whether the OP wishes to pursue every or just some of these challenges, it is useful to know what the challenges are.

And these won't be all of them, adding displays, graphics and other hardware and interfaces is not covered, but this is a start.

Answer 3

Single board computers(SBC) are expected to take more load than normal hobby board and so it has slightly complicated structure in terms of PCB and components. You should be ready to work with BGA packages. Almost all of processors in SBCs are BGA (no DIP/QAFP). Here is the best blogpost that I recently came across. Its very nicely designed and fabricated board running Linux on ARM processor. Author has really done a great job at designing as well as documenting the process. I hope it helps you to understand both hardware and software side of SBCs.

Answer 4

A lot of answers are discouraging. But, I would say you can do it, as I have done it already with imx233. Its not easy, its not a weekend project. My project link is MyIMX233.

• It took me about 4-5months
• It didn't cost me much, a small fine tip soldering iron is what I used.
• The hard part is learning to design PCB.
• Next task would be to find a PCB manufacturer with good enough precision, and prototyping price.
• Next task would be to source components.
• You may not get it right, I got the PCB right by my 3rd iteration. After that I was able to repeatedly produce 3 more boards all of which worked fine.

PCB Design - I used opensource KiCAD. You need to take care in doing impedance matching between RAM and processor buses, and some other high speed buses. I managed to do it in 2 layer board with 5mil/5mil trace space.

Component Sourcing - I got imx233 LQFP once via mouser, and once via element14. RAM - 64MB tssop.

Soldering - I can say its easy to mess up here, but key is patience. And one caution don't use frying pan and solder past to do reflow soldering. I literally fried my first 2 processors like this. Even hot air soldering by a mobile repair shop was also not good enough.

Boot loading image - I didn't take much chance here, just went with Archlinux image by olimex.

If you want to skip the trouble of circuit designing between RAM & processor, skip imx233 and go for Allwinner V3S. In 2017/2018 this would be easiest approach.

Bottom line is I am a software engineer by profession, and if I can do it, then you can do it.

Answer 5

Why not using an FPGA board? Something with Zynq like the Zybo board or from Altera like the DE0-Nano SoCKit.

There you already have the ARM core, memory, etc... plus the possibility to add the logic you miss.