Nerves Project Intro to ErlangDC
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This document introduces the nerves-project, which aims to provide production-quality tools and libraries for building Erlang-based embedded devices. It demonstrates Erlang and OTP as a viable alternative to traditional C/C++ for embedded development. The nerves-project focuses on systems like the BeagleBone Black, which is fast enough to run Linux and costs less than $30. It explains why Erlang is a good fit for embedded applications due to its message-passing architecture and built-in robustness features. The document provides an overview of the software components and getting started instructions for the nerves-project on the BeagleBone Black.
Nerves Project Intro to ErlangDC
- 1. nerves-project Erlang-OTP on the BeagleBone ErlangDC Lightning Talk - 22 Feb 2012
- 2. What is the nerves-project? • Production-quality environment and libraries for building Erlang-based embedded devices • Demonstration that Erlang and OTP are a viable alternative to traditional C/C++ embedded development • Excuse to hack random hardware devices and in Erlang • THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS 2 nerves-project.org
- 3. Quick aside: Embedded System • Computer system designed for a specific purpose • Common characteristics – Real-time components – Task-specific I/O and hardware acceleration – CPU, DRAM, or disk resource limited • Nerves-project focus – Systems fast enough to run embedded Linux – Generally 200 MHz, 64 MB DRAM, 64 MB storage – Sub $30 BOM for processor complex 3 nerves-project.org
- 4. Why Erlang? • Message-based architecture good match for embedded development • Very mature ideas on robustness • Ready to take advantage of growing number of multi- core embedded processors • Still has support for bit manipulations • Process-scoped garbage collector 4 nerves-project.org
- 5. What’s not Erlang • Goal is to use Erlang in the places that count • Components that probably won’t be Erlang – Device drivers – UI – Linux system initialization and utilities • But, Nerves will provide easy-to-use interfaces to many of these components 5 nerves-project.org
- 6. The BeagleBone is Getting Nerves • Inexpensive ARM Cortex A8 platform • 720 MHz ARM • 256 MB DRAM • Lots of peripheral interfaces • Large hobbyist community • “Easy” to integrate into real products 6 nerves-project.org
- 7. What Can It Connect To? • Everything* – Some assembly required • Interfaces: GPIO, PWM, ADC, I2C, SPI, USB, Ethernet, CAN, MMC, UART, McASP, etc. • Possibilities – LEDs, buttons, light sensors, humidity, temperature – Heart rate monitors, accelerometers, gyros, compasses, NFC – GPS, GPRS, Bluetooth, automobile – Motors, servos, 1D and 2D image sensors 7 nerves-project.org
- 8. Software Components Linux Kernel Cross- compiler Init scripts, utilities Erlang R15B Buildroot 3rd party Erlang tools and apps Your Erlang Your Device’s Apps Configuration 8 nerves-project.org
- 9. Getting Started • Go to http://nerves-project.org • Download the microSD card image • Copy the image to a microSD card • Insert the card into a BeagleBone and boot 9 nerves-project.org
- 10. Going Forward • Solidify code for the simple interface support • Build apps that use nerves! – Any project that you could build with an Arduino – Low power Erlang nodes – Demo ideas to really show off Erlang’s advantages in concrete ways • A laundry list of other items based on our interests 10 Troodon Software LLC Proprietary & Confidential
- 11. Final Thoughts • The world is filled with embedded devices • Erlang is a good match for many embedded development needs • Lots of opportunities to move Erlang forward • People will use code from the nerves-project – The Buildroot infrastructure already useful – Contacted by people around the world asking about it – Especially interested in HiPE support 11 nerves-project.org