Getting Started Booting the Kernel

One of the packages which was installed earlier was a pre-built version of the kernel, called an LSP-binary (for more details on the kernel naming conventions see the Linux Support Packages (LSP) page). For example, for the STB1 Overdrive this would be called stm-sh4-lsp-st-stb1overdrive-2.4.17_st1.0-1.sh4.rpm.

This file can be downloaded directly onto the ST40 through the chip's JTAG connector using the ST Micro Connect. Two tools are available for doing this:

• Traditionally st40load was used. This is still supported for older devices (ST40RA and ST40GX1), and has the advantage of simplicity, and built in support for Linux. However this technique is now depricated, and should not be used for new developments.
• More recently, ST have started providing a version of gdb which supports the ST Micro Connect. This is now the recommended technique for connecting to ST40 based parts, and should be supported for all devices and boards.

Details of these two techniques is provided in the next two sections: Booting the Kernel using st40load and using gdb.