VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 1� Introduction This Quick Start Guide provides an overview of how to boot the Android EVK system image for the VIA VAB-820 board and configure the supported hardware function in the build. The VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 is developed based on the NXP android_m6.0.1_1.0.0-ga (Android 6.0 Marshmallow) and enables the hardware features of the VIA VAB-820 board. 1�1 EVK Package Contents There are three folders in the package as listed below. Firmware folder Description Images_autoinstall_sd.zip Android EVK system image and installation script files Document folder Description VAB-820_Android_EVK_v5.0.9_Quick_Start_ Quick Start Guide Guide _v1.00_20181220.pdf Tools folder Description VAB-820_Smart_ETK_Demo_v1.0.apk Smart ETK demo program BluetoothSPPTest.apk Bluetooth SPP testing program VIA VAB-820 Android EVK contents 1�1�1...
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 2� Image Installation The VIA VAB-820 board only provides booting from the SPI ROM with eMMC. This section explains the setup requirements for booting from the SPI ROM and eMMC. The installation script files, the precompiled U-Boot and image are provided in the "Firmware" folder. 2�1 Booting from the SPI ROM with eMMC The Images_autoinstall_sd.zip includes two versions of the Android EVK system image (NXP i.MX6 Quad and i.MX6 Quad Plus) and the installation scripts files. The first step is to extract the Images_autoinstall_sd.zip file to make a bootable Micro SD card into your Linux host machine and make sure it is not mounted. Open the terminal on your host machine. Select into the iMX6Q or iMX6QP folder to run the mk_android6_install_sd.sh as shown below, replacing <device name> with the correct value for the card, for example "sdb". *Important: Make sure you are writing to the correct device or the host system environment could be damaged. $ sudo ./mk_android6_install_sd.sh /dev/<device name> Next, on the VIA VAB-820, set the boot flash jumper (J11) to the Micro SD position as shown below. Boot flash jumper diagram Insert the prepared Micro SD card into the VIA VAB-820, connect an HDMI display, and power on the VIA VAB-820 to initiate the update process automatically. VIA Technologies, Inc. iMX6_Android6.0.1 ---------------------------------- U-Boot Version : v2015.04-0.1.0...
Page 8
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide In order to boot from the SPI ROM make sure the boot flash jumper (J11) is set to SPI ROM boot. Boot flash jumper diagram Next, power on the device to initiate the boot process. When the boot process is completed, you will see the Android desktop.
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 3� Hardware Function This section explains how to enable and test the hardware functions precompiled in the VIA VAB-820 Android EVK including setting up U-Boot parameters, restoring default U-Boot parameters, using the Android console, configuring display parameters, setting up the video-in, as well as installing and applying the different functions included in the VIA Smart ETK sample program. 3�1 Setting Up U-Boot Parameters When setting up the U-Boot parameters, the first step is to connect the host machine and the VIA VAB-820 through the onboard COM connector (J5). Use a serial port communication program such as PuTTY, GtkTerm, or Minicom to configure the serial port setting and connect to the debug console. There you will be able to see the U-Boot boot log and adjust settings in the U-Boot console. +------------------------------------------------------------+ Serial Device : /dev/ttymxc0 Lockfile Location : /var/lock Callin Program Callout Program Bps/Par/Bits : 115200 8N1 Hardware Flow Control...
Page 10
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide Next, power on the VIA VAB-820 to initiate the boot process. When prompted, press any key to stop the boot process and enter the U-Boot console as illustrated by the screenshot below. U-Boot 2015.04 (Mar 7 2017 - 18:49:13)VAB820 ver:5.0.4 CPU: Freescale i.MX6Q rev1.2 at 996 MHz CPU: Temperature 30 C, calibration data: 0x5894f169 Reset cause: POR Board: iMX6Q-VAB820 I2C: ready DRAM:...
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 3�2 Restoring Default U-Boot Parameters If the U-Boot parameters have been modified, the "destroyenv" command in the U-Boot console can restore the factory default settings. To restart the device, use the “reset" commands: => destroyenv => saveenv => reset 3�3 Using the Android Console The first step is to connect the host machine and the VIA VAB-820 through the onboard COM connector (J5). Use a serial port communication program such as PuTTY, GtkTerm, or Minicom to connect to the debug console. COM connector (J5) diagram Next, power on the VIA VAB-820 to initiate the boot process. When the boot process is completed, you will automatically log in to an Android console. root@vab820_6dq:/ #...
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 3�4 Configuring Display Parameters The VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 supports the following display devices: • HDMI monitor (default) • AUO 10.4" G104XVN01.0 LVDS panel (1024x768) • AUO 7" G070VW01 V0 LVDS panel (800x480) 3�4�1 Setting Up the HDMI U-Boot Display Parameter To set HDMI as the display output, use the following commands: => setenv display ‘run hdmi’ => saveenv HDMI only supports CEA modes as shown in the table below. Width Height Frame rate 1280 1440 1440 1920 1080 1280 1440 1440...
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 3�4�2 Setting Up the LVDS U-Boot Display Parameter Before setting an LVDS panel as the display output, make sure the LVDS power jumper is set to +12V for LVDS inverter (backlight) power and +3.3V for LVDS panel power as shown below. Inverter LVDS power jumper diagram To set the AUO 10.4" G104XVN01.0 LVDS panel as the display output, use the following commands: => setenv display ‘run lvds_auo_g104’ => saveenv In order to confirm that the settings are correct, use the following command to list the new U-Boot parameters: => printenv lvds_auo_g104 lvds_auo_g104=video=mxcfb0:dev=ldb,LDB-XGA, if=RGB24 ldb=sin0 To set the AUO 7" G070VW01 V0 LVDS panel as the display output, use the following commands: => setenv display ‘run lvds_auo_g007’ => saveenv In order to confirm that the settings are correct, use the following command to list the new U-Boot parameters: =>...
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 3�5 Setting Up Video-in The VIA VAB-820 supports two video inputs. The composite RCA jack is a CVBS signal input and the S-VIDEO1 pin header is an S-Video signal input. The following steps are for video-in function verification. Composite RCA jack diagram S-Video pin header diagram The CVBS is the default video input. To set the CVBS as video input source, use the following command: root@vab820_6dq:/ # setprop adv7180_src 1 To set the S-Video as video input source, use the following command: root@vab820_6dq:/ # setprop adv7180_src 2 Please note that after the setup is complete, you will need to restart the camera program for the settings to be applied.
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 3�6 Smart ETK The VIA VAB-820 Smart ETK supports Watchdog timer, GPIO, UART and CAN bus functions. Please follow the procedures below to experiment with the Smart ETK functions on the VIA VAB-820 board. 3�6�1 Installing Smart ETK The first step is to copy the VAB-820_Smart_ETK_Demo_v1.0.apk onto a mass storage device such as a USB thumb drive. Next, from the Settings screen, click Security, and then switch on the "Unknown sources" as shown in the diagram below. Finally, insert the USB thumb drive into the VIA VAB-820 and double click on the VAB-820_Smart_ETK_Demo_ v1.0.apk file to install. When the installation process has been completed, run the VAB-820_Smart_ETK_Demo_v1.0.apk and start to test the different functions with it. Smart ETK SDK sample screen...
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 3�6�2 Testing Watchdog Timer Function The Watchdog timer is an electronic timer that is used to detect and recover from system malfunctions. The Watchdog timer includes Enable/Disable, Set Timeout, Keep Alive, and Countdown Timer functions. Smart ETK Watchdog timer diagram A list of options will appear on the Smart ETK Demo Program page, select the appropriate option to start testing. To test the Watchdog timer function, the first step is to enter the time value (1~128 seconds) in the Timeout setting. Click on the Enable/Disable button to start the Watchdog timer function. Click on the REFRESH button to refresh the countdown time value back to the beginning. Click on the STOP button to stop the Watchdog timer function. 3�6�3 Testing GPIO Function The GPIO pin header (J7) on the VIA VAB-820 consists of 19 pins. Pins 11~18 are active. The following section explains how to set up these pins for input/output communication. GPIO pin header diagram...
Page 17
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide Signal Signal RESET_N P_LED+ P_LED- 12C3_SCL W_LED+ 12C3_SDA W_LED- 5VIN GPIO_1 GPIO_7 GPIO_2 GPIO_8 GPIO_4 GPIO_9 GPIO_5 GPIO_16 GPIO pin header pinouts table Smart ETK GPIO interface diagram First, please open the Smart ETK sample program, then from the left side select GPIO to start testing. In the demo program, pins 11~18 have been set as programmable GPIO pins. The toggles under each pin can be used to set the desired configuration. Enable/Disable: Sets whether the pin function is enabled or disabled.
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 3�6�4 Testing UART Function The VIA Smart ETK UART function supports TX/RX communication with other devices. The first step is to connect the host machine to the COM connector (J4) on the VIA VAB-820. Next on the host machine start a serial communication program such as Putty, GtkTerm or Minicom with the same serial port setting using the appropriate serial device. COM connector (J4) diagram Smart ETK UART diagram Then, please open the Smart ETK sample program. From the left side of the Smart ETK sample page, select UART. To begin, select "ttymxc0" from the device drop-down menu and a Baud rate of "115200" for the Baud Rate drop-down menu. The VIA VAB-820 only supports "RS-232" mode. Next, click on the Connect button to enable the UART function and start communication between the host machine and VIA VAB-820 board. When the host machine transfers data to the VIA VAB-820, the data will be displayed inside the red frame. To send data from the host machine to the VIA VAB-820, you need to type the data inside the white frame and click the Send button. Click on the Disconnect button to disable this function. Click on the Reset button to reset this function.
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 3�6�5 Testing FlexCAN Function The CAN/COM connector (J5) of the VIA VAB-820 supports two CAN bus ports with FlexCAN protocol specification Version 2.0B. CAN/COM connector (J5) diagram Signal 5VIN COM2 RX COM2 TX CAN RX2 CAN TX2 CAN TX1 CAN RX1 CAN/COM connector (J5) pinouts table...
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide Smart ETK FlexCAN diagram To begin, open the Smart ETK sample program and select CAN from the left side to access the Smart ETK CAN test interface� The CAN ID frame structure is 32 bits. One frame includes: 1-bit EFF flag, 1-bit RTR flag, 1-bit ERR flag, an 18-bit extension ("identifier extension") and 11-bit identifier ("base identifier"). In order to use the identifier extension, you need to click "EFF". If you select RTR, the RTR-bit is transmitted as a dominant bit in the Data Frame and the Data Field will be empty in the Remote Field. 3�6�5�1 Basic CAN Bus Function Testing In order to connect the CAN bus port for testing, you need to add an additional transceiver circuit. Please visit the Texas Instruments website (https://www.ti.com) to search Information on "TI SN65HVD1050 CAN Bus Transceiver". After adding an additional transceiver circuit, the next step is to connect the corresponding signals between CAN1 and CAN2 as follows: CAN1L to CAN2L and CAN1H to CAN2H Next, in the Smart ETK program, set a Bit rate value between 5000 and 1000000 and then press "Connect" to establish a connection. To test if the data can be transmitted, enter an ID in the CAN1_Send_ID block and data in the Send_Data block and then click "Send". When CAN1 transfers data to CAN2, the data will be displayed in the red block under the CAN2RxScreen section. Click on the Reset button to reset this CAN bus function. Click on the Disconnect button to disable this function.
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 3�6�5�2 Advanced CAN Bus Function Testing For advanced testing, you will need to use the Filter_ID and FilterMask functions. The FilterMask is used to determine which bits in the identifier of the received frame are compared with the filter. The Filter_ID is used to limit the data being sent and received through the CAN bus. *Note: The Filter_ID and FilterMask must be typed in hexadecimal values. If a mask bit is set to zero, the corresponding ID bit will automatically be accepted, regardless of the value of the filter bit. If a mask bit is set to one, the corresponding ID bit will be compared with the value of the filter bit. If they match, it is accepted otherwise the frame is rejected. There are four examples using hexadecimal values below. Example 1 You wish to only accept frames with an ID number of 00001567. Set the Filter_ID to 00001567 and the FilterMask to 1FFFFFFF. When a frame arrives, its ID is compared with the filter and all bits must match; any frame that does not match ID 00001567 is rejected. Example 2 You wish to only accept frames with ID numbers 00001560 thru to 0000156F. Set the Filter_ID to 00001560 and the FilterMask to 1FFFFFF0. When a frame arrives, its ID is compared with the filter and all bits except bits 0 to 3 must match; any other frame is rejected. Example 3 You wish to only accept frames with ID numbers 00001560 thru to 00001567. Set the Filter_ID to 00001560 and the FilterMask to 1FFFFFF8. When a frame arrives its ID is compared with the filter and all bits except bits 0 to 2 must match; any other frame is rejected. Example 4 You wish to accept any frame.
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 4� Accessories This section explains how to install and configure the various USB dongle and EMIO modules available for the VIA VAB-820 board. 4�1 Configuring the VIA VNT9271 USB Wi-Fi Dongle/ VIA EMIO-1533 USB Wi-Fi Module The VIA VNT9271 dongle and VIA EMIO-1533 module supports Wi-Fi functionality through a USB port or onboard USB pin header connection respectively. The first step is to insert the VIA VNT9271 dongle into a USB port or connect the VIA EMIO-1533 module to the onboard USB pin header (J8) using the USB cable (P/N: 99G3-190042). After installing the module, connect the provided antenna. Next, make sure to unplug any LAN cables or other Wi-Fi/3G modules you have installed. Finally, power on the VIA VAB-820. Inserting the VIA VNT9271 dongle Connecting the VIA EMIO-1533 module...
Page 23
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide To enable the Wi-Fi, go to Settings -> Wi-Fi-> On. A list of Wi-Fi connections will appear on the screen. Select the appropriate device to complete the Wi-Fi connection. When the connection is created, connect to the internet through your web browser.
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 4�2 Configuring the VIA EMIO-1541 MiniPCIe Wi-Fi Module The VIA EMIO-1541 module supports Wi-Fi through the onboard miniPCIe slot. The first step is to insert the VIA EMIO-1541 module into the miniPCIe slot. After installing the module, connect the provided antenna to the module. Next, make sure to unplug any LAN cables or USB Wi-Fi dongles you have installed. Finally, power on the VIA VAB-820. Inserting the VIA EMIO-1541 module To enable Wi-Fi, go to Settings -> Wi-Fi-> On. A list of Wi-Fi connections will appear on the screen. Select the appropriate device to complete the Wi-Fi connection. When the connection is created, connect to the internet through your web browser...
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 4�3 Configuring the VIA EMIO-2531 MiniPCIe/VIA EMIO-5531 USB Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Module The VIA EMIO-2531 module and VIA EMIO-5531 module supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions. 4�3�1 Connecting to the Internet The first step is to insert the VIA EMIO-2531 module into the miniPCIe slot or connect the VIA EMIO-5531 module to the onboard USB pin header (J8) using the USB cable (P/N: 99G3-190042). After installing the module, connect the provided antenna to the module. Next, make sure to unplug any LAN cables or other Wi-Fi/3G modules you have installed. Finally, power on the VIA VAB-820. Inserting the VIA EMIO-2531 module Connecting the VIA EMIO-5531 module...
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide To enable Wi-Fi, go to Settings -> Wi-Fi-> On. A list of Wi-Fi connections will appear on the screen. Select the appropriate device to complete the Wi-Fi connection. When the connection is created, connect to the internet through your web browser. 4�3�2 Enabling Bluetooth The following sections show how to enable the Bluetooth Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) to allow audio playback through a connected Bluetooth device as well as how to configure the Bluetooth Serial Port Profile (SPP). 4�3�2�1 Setting Up Bluetooth A2DP Profile First, put the accessory you want to use into discovery mode. The exact way to do this depends on the accessory. If you have a headset, you may need to hold a button down on the headset for several seconds until a light starts flashing. It will only stay discoverable for a few minutes. If you are not sure how to put your accessory into discovery mode, please refer to its manual, check the manufacturer’s website, or perform a web search for instructions. To enable the Bluetooth A2DP function, go to Settings -> Bluetooth and set the switch to On. A list of local devices will appear on the screen. Select the appropriate device to complete the Bluetooth pairing.
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 4�3�2�2 Setting Up Bluetooth SPP Profile The VIA VAB-820 implements the Bluetooth Serial Port Profile allowing serial port communication between two Android devices. Included in the VIA VAB-820 Tools folder is the BluetoothSPPTest.apk which is a simple communication application which utilizes the Bluetooth SPP Profile to transmit and receive data between two paired Android devices. The first step is to copy the BluetoothSPPTest.apk onto a mass storage device such as USB thumb drive. Next, from the Settings screen, click Security -> Unknown sources to allow installation of non-Market apps. The following example will demonstrate how to use the BluetoothSPPTest.apk to communicate over the Bluetooth SPP Profile between two VIA VAB-820 boards. First, the BluetoothSPPTest.apk must be installed onto each VIA VAB-820 board. From the Settings screen, click Security -> Unknown sources and then switch on the “Unknown sources". Next, copy the BluetoothSPPTest.apk onto a mass storage device, such as USB thumb drive, and install the BluetoothSPPTest.apk onto both VIA VAB- 820 boards� After the installation process has been completed, go to Settings -> Bluetooth -> On to enable the Bluetooth function on both VIA VAB-820 boards. A list of local devices will then appear on each screen. From either screen, select the VIA VAB-820 board from the list to complete the pairing process as seen in the figure below.
Page 28
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide After the devices have paired, open the BluetoothSPPTest.apk on both VIA VAB-820 boards and configure the settings as follows in both apps. "Auto" – enabled "Show Message" – enabled Select CONNECT from either VIA VAB-820 board to create the connection between the two. Both VIA VAB-820 boards can communicate over the Bluetooth SPP Protocol. BluetoothSPPTest diagram At the bottom of the screen, enter the data inside the bar (highlighted in the yellow frame above) and then click the play button (highlighted in the blue frame above) to send the data. The data will then be received and displayed on the other VIA VAB-820 board.
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide 4�4 Configuring the VIA EMIO-2550 MiniPCIe Mobile Broadband Module The VIA EMIO-2550 miniPCIe Mobile Broadband module supports 3G and GPS functions. 4�4�1 Connecting to the Internet The first step is to insert an active SIM card into the VIA EMIO-2550 module, and then insert the VIA EMIO- 2550 module into the miniPCIe slot. After installing the module, connect the provided antenna to the module. Next, make sure to unplug any LAN cables or USB Wi-Fi dongles you have installed. Finally, power on the VIA VAB-820. Inserting the VIA EMIO-2550 module To check that the system has been correctly detected the VIA EMIO-2550 module, use the following command: root@vab820_6dq:/ # busybox ifconfig Make sure the printout message includes "ppp0 Link encap: Point-to-Point Protocol". To enable 3G, go to Settings->Wireless & networks-> More -> Cellular network ->Access Point Names. Next, click the plus button to add your APNs setting.
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide Fill in the required fields for the APNs setting. If you are unsure of what the required fields and value are, check with your Mobile Broadband provider. When the APNs setting is completed, click your APNs to enable the 3G network. Next, open the browser to connect to the internet. 4�4�2 Enabling GPS To enable GPS, go to Settings-> Location -> On. Next, go to Settings-> Wireless & networks-> More -> RIL OEM Hook Test -> API 4 Type command. Full in "AT+UGPS=1.0" and click RUN button.
Page 31
VIA VAB-820 Android EVK v5.0.9 Quick Start Guide Wait for the "OK" message and open the GPS program.
Page 32
Taiwan Headquarters Japan China 1F, 531 Zhong-zheng Road, 940 Mission Court 3-15-7 Ebisu MT Bldg. 6F, Tsinghua Science Park Bldg. 7 Xindian Dist., New Taipei City 231 Fremont, CA 94539, Higashi, Shibuya-ku No. 1 Zongguancun East Road, Taiwan Tokyo 150-0011 Haidian Dist., Beijing, 100084 Japan China...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the VAB-820 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers