MONDAY 04 NOVEMBER 2019

Aurora Software Ecosystem

Aurora Updates

Release: 1.2.0.0

Aurora SBC operating system is a modified Linux distribution

Current kernel v4.1.46-2147 modified for Aurora SBC target SoC

U-Boot/SPL Updates

Update

Updated U-Boot to git source 82c8e2ec006d963df1c2165d373 6097d5120406b

Reason

Unified U-Boot source code for all our projects.

Additional Notes

By using the same U-Boot code base, we will greatly improve the stability of our products. We plan on using the same U-Boot source code for all present and future OS images 

(Ubuntu, Yocto)

Update

Changed boot script: dCache off

Reason

Bug fix.

Additional Notes

When using certain displays, the splash screen was displayed incorrectly because Data Cache (dCache) was turned on. Fixed.

Update

Added new adapter boards I2C address translator support 

(both RGB and LVDS)

Reason

New hardware feature support.

Additional Notes

New DensiID adapter boards feature an I2C address translator to prevent clashing between DensiID and HDMI I2C address

Kernel Updates - 1

Update

Updated kernel to 4.1.46-02147-gb4e0569

Reason

Kernel code base update.

Additional Notes

Kernel code base was updated to benefit from newer kernel functionality and bug fixes.

Update

Added limitation for HDMI big screens (max resolution is 1080p) instead of crashing kernel

Reason

Bug fix.

Additional Notes

If a 4k monitor was plugged into an HDMI port, the system crashed instead of rejecting the monitor (Aurora does not support 4k). The behaviour was fixed by stopping the graphics driver from invoking an invalid resolution.

Update

Added additional I2C addresses for haptic, touch, DensiId

Reason

New hardware feature support.

Additional Notes

New DensiID adapter boards feature an I2C address translator to prevent clashing between DensiID and HDMI I2C addresses.

Kernel Updates - 2

Update

Added drivers for xpad and DisplayLink

Reason

New hardware feature support.

Additional Notes

Added drivers support for the following devices:

• DisplayLink DL165 (1U USB)
• Xbox One haptic feedback controller

Update

Added driver wifi Realtek 8192eu chipset

Reason

New hardware feature support.

Additional Notes

Tested on the following USB dongle:

https://www.tendacn.com/en/prod uct/u1.html

Rootfs Update - 1

Update

Disabled a few systemd services

Reason

Obtain faster boot time (~5-10sec)

Additional Notes

List of disabled services:

• apt-daily-upgrade service
• ModemManager service
• Bluetooth service
• apport service
• avahi-daemon service

Update

Changed systemd backlight script (for security reasons)

Reason

Better user experience

Additional Notes

If the user accidentally sets a very low backlight value, the system overrides the setting at boot-up.

Update

changed /etc/fstab & added noatime

Reason

Performance improvement

Additional Notes

By instructing the system not to record the file‘s last access time, we were able to achieve better performance of file read/write operations.

Rootfs Updates - 2

Update

auroratimesync (changed directory '/auroratimesync' to '/')

Reason

Bug fix

Additional Notes

Fixed broken synchronization between NTP (Network-Time-Protocol) and aurora‘s RTC (Real-time-Clock).

Update

Added line in 

etc/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.conf (auth-polkit=false)

Reason

Better user experience

Additional Notes

Allows a non-privileged user to manipulate Wi-Fi settings.

Update

Added additional (hidraw) haptic device /etc/udev/rules.d/90-haptic.rules

Reason

Better user experience

Additional Notes

• Ability to access Densitron‘s HID haptic device from the non-privileged user.
• Feature: All Densitron‘s HID devices show up at the same access node, regardless of additional HID devices in the system (mouse, keyboard,...)

Rootfs Updates - 3

Update

Changed version string in /etc/aurora

Reason

Feature

Additional Notes

States version to be 1.2.0.0

Update

Updated background image

Reason

Feature

Additional Notes

Changed the Densitron logo to the new version.

Virtual Machine Updates - 1 

Update

Changed the examples which included haptics to the latest haptic handler (/dev/input/haptic)

Reason

New feature.

Additional Notes

As Kernel has unified Densitron‘s HID haptic device node, the examples now reflect this change.

Update

AuroraRadar updates

Reason

Bug fix.

Additional Notes

No longer possible to change Aurora names and cause confusion among users.

Update

AuroraRadar updates

Reason

Bug fix.

Additional Notes

In case of the Virtual Machine network missing, a warning message is displayed instead of crashing.

Update

Added the haptic rule

Reason

Better user experience.

Additional Notes

Users can now access haptic without elevated privileges.

Update

Added the DemoButton demo

Reason

New feature.

Additional Notes

Added a new simple demo for our users.

Virtual Machine Updates - 2

Update

General upgrades of Ubuntu image

Reason

Updates.

Additional Notes

• Update VirtualBox Guest additions
• General system update

Glossary

BSP

Board Support Package

Distribution

A package of different open-source software components

GNU

GNU’s not Unix! (Recursive acronym)

Kernel

The central module of the Operating System (OS) manages memory, processes, and tasks

Rootfs

Root file system

Shell

The user interface to OS services

U-boot

Open source primary boot loader

Virtual Machine

Allows different OS to run in the application window on a computer