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I'd like to make a single board computer capable of booting Linux, with my low-tech garage tools (2 sided PCBs, reflow skillet, no plating through holes).

What's the simplest hardware design I could choose?

Are there any microcontrollers with enough onboard flash/RAM to run Linux/uCLinux?

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Personally, I think it would be simpler to buy one rather than make one. A BeagleBoard is a pretty popular solution at $149. \$\endgroup\$
    – semaj
    Mar 5, 2010 at 0:00
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    \$\begingroup\$ I absolutely agree. But, I want to make one :-) \$\endgroup\$ Mar 5, 2010 at 0:10
  • \$\begingroup\$ +1 for having the ambition for such an undertaking. Best of luck. \$\endgroup\$
    – semaj
    Mar 5, 2010 at 0:56
  • \$\begingroup\$ I agree that it is certainly cheaper/easier to buy one than to build one. There are a variety of solutions out there... Here are a few that I'm aware of: - Gumstix - BeagleBoard - Chumby (easily hack-able) - Plug Computers (SheevaPlug, GuruPlug, etc -- Check out plugapps.com) \$\endgroup\$
    – Nate
    Jul 1, 2010 at 23:53

5 Answers 5

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I'd like to see this too, but my gut instinct is to say "maybe, but it's a lot of work". Even the smallest Linux distro is going to need around a megabyte of RAM to run. This means at least 30 or so additional pins for the RAM controller in the microcontroller, and a couple of big RAM chips.

One of the simplest architectures I know that has Linux for it is the Atmel AVR32 series of parts. The smallest, the AT32UC3A0128 comes in a relatively hacker-friendly 100-pin TQFP package. This is at least amenable to hand-soldering, unlike most of the OS-capable embedded microcontrollers that come in BGA packages. (the chips that have the little solder balls underneath them) You can get an idea as to the complexity of a circuit using that chip by examining the EVK1100 eval board.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ That EVK1100 is a lot more complicated than is strictly necessary. Those kinds of eval boards usually have a lot of extra peripherals - things like LCDs, buttons and such that are there to give you a leg up on getting output from the chip. Making your own board you'll only include the things you care about and usually end up with a much simpler design. \$\endgroup\$
    – edebill
    Mar 5, 2010 at 17:58
  • \$\begingroup\$ Most eval boards, definitely. The EVK1100 looks a bit better than many in by separating out those parts that are core and those that are peripherals. At least it seems like that from the pics, I don't have one. :) \$\endgroup\$
    – todbot
    Mar 6, 2010 at 8:56
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Linuxstamp is probably your best bet. It's open and has the PCB drawings, schematics, etc available. But as far as doing it at home - probably not. There's some very fine pitches on some of the parts. You're welcome to try, but it seems like a fair bit of consternation to me.

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The Nintendo DS is capable of running uCLinux. You can get a used one for cheap, the only peripheral you need to run Linux on it is a microSD adapter (can be had for $15 from dealextreme.com) and a microSD (small ones are basically free these days)

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You pretty much need a decent size piece of RAM and flash outside the MCU/MPU. If I was going to make a bare bones Linux system, I think I would go with simple cheap ARM with a serial port. You could make a tiny PCB with 4MB of RAM, 2MB of FLASH, RS-232 transceiver, COM port, and the ARM. You could get real fancy by adding ethernet, but that won't add too much real estate to the PCB.

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I believe you are looking for something like the following http://hforsten.com/making-embedded-linux-computer.html

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    \$\begingroup\$ Nice project. However while that can be assembled and soldered at home, it needs a professionally made PCB, while the question asks about making the PCB at home also. \$\endgroup\$
    – Ben Voigt
    Nov 12, 2016 at 4:25
  • \$\begingroup\$ hmmm yes. I guess thats going to be a little tough.. \$\endgroup\$
    – Denis
    Dec 6, 2016 at 16:06

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