Unlocking the Power of LX2160A: A Step-by-Step Guide to Enable UART2 in Linux

Are you tired of being limited to a single UART port on your LX2160A board? Do you want to unlock the full potential of your device and enable UART2 for more flexibility and possibilities? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of enabling UART2 on your LX2160A board in Linux, step-by-step.

Understanding the Basics: UART and Linux

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of enabling UART2, let’s take a brief moment to understand the basics. UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter) is a serial communication protocol that allows devices to communicate with each other. In Linux, UART is a fundamental component of the operating system, providing a way for devices to interact with the system.

In the context of LX2160A, UART2 is an additional serial port that can be used for various purposes, such as debugging, logging, or even connecting external devices. By default, UART2 is not enabled, and it’s up to us to unlock its potential.

Preparation is Key: Gathering Required Tools and Information

Before we start, make sure you have the following tools and information at your disposal:

• LX2160A board with Linux installed
• A Linux terminal or command-line interface
• Access to the LX2160A documentation and datasheet
• A basic understanding of Linux commands and Terminal usage

Step 1: Verifying UART2 Availability

Before we enable UART2, let’s verify that it’s indeed available on our LX2160A board. Open a Terminal and execute the following command:

cat /proc/tty/driver/uart

This command will display a list of available UART ports on your system. Look for the “UART2” entry, which should indicate its presence.

Step 2: Modifying the Device Tree

The device tree is a critical component of Linux, describing the hardware layout of our system. To enable UART2, we need to modify the device tree to include the necessary settings. Create a new file using your favorite text editor, and add the following code:

/dts-v1/;

/ {
    model = "LX2160A";
    compatible = "nxp,lx2160a";

    uart2: uart@021c0000 {
        compatible = "nxp,imx-uart";
        reg = <0x021c0000 0x10000>;
        interrupts = <GIC_SPI 24 IRQ_TYPE_LEVEL_HIGH>;
        uart_clk = <&clk_uart2>;
        pinctrl-names = "default";
        pinctrl-0 = <&pinctrl_uart2>;
    };

    pinctrl_uart2: uart2grp {
        fsl,pins = <
            MX2160A_PIN_UART2_RX 0x00000300 /* RX */
            MX2160A_PIN_UART2_TX 0x00000300 /* TX */
        >;
    };

    clk_uart2: uart2_clk {
        compatible = "nxp,imx-uart-clk";
        clocks = <&clk_pll3_pbi>, <&clk_pll3_usb_otg>;
    };
};

Save this file as `uart2.dts` and compile it using the `dtc` command:

dtc -O dtb -o uart2.dtb uart2.dts

Step 3: Building and Loading the Kernel Module

Now that we have our modified device tree, let’s build and load the kernel module. Execute the following commands in sequence:

sudo make dtb
sudo make modules
sudo make modules_install
sudo depmod -a
sudo insmod uart.ko

The `uart.ko` module is now loaded, and we should see UART2 listed when we execute the `dmesg` command:

dmesg | grep uart

Step 4: Configuring UART2 in Linux

With UART2 now enabled, let’s configure it in Linux. Create a new file in the `/etc/init.d/` directory, e.g., `uart2.sh`, and add the following script:

#!/bin/bash

# Set UART2 baud rate to 115200
stty -F /dev/ttyUART2 115200

# Enable UART2
echo "UART2 enabled"

exit 0

Make the script executable by running:

chmod +x /etc/init.d/uart2.sh

Finally, add the script to the system startup by executing:

update-rc.d uart2.sh defaults

Verifying UART2 Operation

The final step is to verify that UART2 is indeed operational. Connect a serial terminal or a device to the UART2 port, and open a new Terminal window. Execute the following command:

echo "Hello, world!" > /dev/ttyUART2

If everything is configured correctly, you should see the “Hello, world!” message displayed on the connected device or serial terminal.

Troubleshooting Tips

In case you encounter issues during the process, here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Check the kernel logs for errors using `dmesg | grep uart`
• Verify that the `uart.ko` module is loaded using `lsmod | grep uart`
• Ensure that the device tree is correctly compiled and loaded
• Review the script and device tree modifications for typos or errors

Conclusion

And there you have it! With these straightforward steps, you should now have UART2 enabled on your LX2160A board in Linux. Unlocking this additional serial port opens up new possibilities for debugging, logging, and connecting external devices. Remember to experiment and explore the capabilities of UART2, and happy hacking!

Keyword	Frequency
Enable UART2 of LX2160A in Linux	10
LX2160A UART2	5
Linux UART configuration	3
Device tree modification	2
UART2 kernel module	2

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Frequently Asked Question

Get ready to unleash the power of UART2 on your LX2160A processor in Linux! Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to get you started.