Supporting linux on virtual platform based on Versatile Express Board

In general, when a embedded system is to be developed, the device drivers, operating system, and the application softwares are developed after the hardware of a embedded system is developed. If the hardware and software are developed at the same time, the development time and cost savings of the embedded system are possible. This paper defines and designs the structure of a SW-SoC Convergence Platform that is a virtual platform for supporting the concurrent development of the hardware and software. The hardware of the SW-SoC Convergence Platform is implemented using virtual prototypes for ARM Versatile Express Board that is widely used as an embedded reference system. The operating systems (i.e., Ubuntu Desktop V12.11, Ubuntu Nano V13.08) were ported to the virtual platform. Accordingly, using the operating system ported to the SW-SoC Convergence Platform, the actual application software´s development is possible before the real hardware is developed.