Cyclops: PRU programming framework for precise timing applications

Amr Alanwar, Fatima M. Anwar, Yi Fan Zhang, Justin Pearson, Joao Hespanha, Mani B. Srivastava

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Beaglebone Black single-board computer is well-suited for real-time embedded applications because its system-on-a-chip contains two 'Programmable Real-time Units' (PRUs): 200-MHz microcontrollers that run concurrently with the main 1-GHz CPU that runs Linux. This paper introduces 'Cyclops': a web-browser-based IDE that facilitates the development of embedded applications on the Beaglebone Black's PRU. Users write PRU code in a simple JavaScript-inspired language, which Cyclops converts to PRU assembly code and deploys to the PRU. Cyclops automatically configures the Beaglebone's pinmux controller to use common I/O peripherals like ADC and PWM. Additionally, Cyclops includes a PRU library and Linux kernel module for synchronizing the PRU with the processor clock, enabling the PRU to time-stamp sensor measurements using the Linux processor time within sub-microsecond accuracy.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationISPCS 2017 - International IEEE Symposium on Precision Clock Synchronization for Measurement, Control, and Communication, Proceedings
PublisherIEEE Computer Society
ISBN (Electronic)9781509057177
DOIs
StatePublished - 2 Oct 2017
Externally publishedYes
Event11th International IEEE Symposium on Precision Clock Synchronization for Measurement, Control, and Communication, ISPCS 2017 - Monterey, United States
Duration: 27 Aug 20171 Sep 2017

Publication series

NameIEEE International Symposium on Precision Clock Synchronization for Measurement, Control, and Communication, ISPCS
ISSN (Print)1949-0305
ISSN (Electronic)1949-0313

Conference

Conference11th International IEEE Symposium on Precision Clock Synchronization for Measurement, Control, and Communication, ISPCS 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMonterey
Period27/08/171/09/17

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cyclops: PRU programming framework for precise timing applications'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this