Board Support Package (BSP) Development

At Witekio, we began developing Board Support Packages (BSPs) two decades ago, initially focusing on Windows CE. Today, our experts know how to precisely tailor the necessary environmental parameters of your device operating system, including Linux, Android, and FreeRTOS, to ensure seamless system startup and optimal performance.

What is a Board Support Package (BSP)?

A BSP acts as a tailored interface between an embedded system’s hardware and its operating system (OS). Its primary function is to provide the necessary software components and drivers that allow the OS to communicate effectively with the hardware. Essentially, it serves as a translator, enabling the OS to understand and interact with the underlying hardware components.

Specific BSPs for your operating system

Linux development and customization blue

Linux BSP

With over 20 years of experience, we’ve customized hundreds of Linux-based embedded systems to meet unique device requirements.

Android BSP

Our engineers have developed Android BSPs for a wide range of industries, working with hardware platforms such as TI, NXP, and more.

MCU BSP

We configure and fine-tune the BSP for your microcontroller’s real-time operating system, ensuring it meets your specific needs.

Low level features that will impact the reader

Device drivers

These essential components create the interface between the OS and the hardware, enabling the OS to access the CPU, memory, and peripherals on the board.

Partitioning

Advanced partitioning with a robust software update feature allows seamless and reliable updates to keep your system secure and up-to-date.

Cybersecurity

Integrating mechanisms like secure boot and TEE – TrustZone is crucial for safeguarding the system against unauthorized access.

SUCCESS STORY

Building a Linux BSP for W.H. Leary

W.H. Leary, a leader in packaging solutions, needed to upgrade their Monet platform for enhanced longevity and user experience. Our team provided:

Yocto BSP development, OS migration, and language localization
GUI integration for improved user interaction
System optimization, documentation, and additional engineering services

Additional BSP components

Understanding the core components of a BSP is crucial to recognizing its role in embedded systems. A typical BSP includes several critical elements beyond the device drivers, partitioning and cybersecurity mechanisms, such as:

Bootloader

Boot loaders are small programs that run at system startup, responsible for loading the OS and initializing other software components. They also support software updates by allowing new images to be loaded via network or other interfaces.

Kernel customization

The kernel, or core of the OS, may require adjustments to support specific hardware features. BSP customizes the kernel to suit the hardware requirements of the embedded system.

Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)

The HAL acts as a bridge between the OS and hardware, simplifying the interaction between them.

Peripheral libraries

These libraries provide higher-level functions for controlling hardware peripherals, making it easier for application developers to work with the hardware.

BSP development environment

The BSP development environment includes various tools for building, debugging, and testing the BSP. This typically involves a cross-compiler for creating code for the target hardware and a debugger for identifying and resolving issues.

In addition to these tools, the development environment includes libraries and frameworks that support hardware interaction, such as device drivers and communication protocols. An integrated development environment (IDE) is also a key part of BSP development, providing a code editor, compiler, build automation tools, and a debugger in a single platform.

The Yocto Project is one of the most popular BSP development environments. It offers an open-source collaboration of tools, templates, and methods to create custom Linux-based systems for embedded products across various hardware architectures.

Some of the benefits of BSP development

A well-designed BSP is fundamental to the success of embedded systems, acting as a critical link between hardware and software. The advantages of BSP development include:

Hardware Abstraction

BSP simplifies the hardware interface, providing a standardized platform for the OS. This makes software development easier by reducing the complexity of hardware interactions.

Customization

BSP allows the software to be fine-tuned for specific hardware, ensuring optimal performance and full use of the device’s features.

Efficiency

By providing optimized drivers and hardware configurations, BSP improves system efficiency, minimizing resource usage while maximizing performance.

Reliability

A consistent interface provided by BSP enhances the overall reliability of the system, reducing compatibility issues and lowering the risk of software-related failures.

Scalability

BSP can be updated and adapted as hardware evolves, allowing the system to grow without requiring a complete overhaul.

Security

BSP contributes to secure boot processes, protecting systems from unauthorized access and tampering.

Witekio's expertise in BSP development

BSP development is the foundation of efficient and reliable embedded systems. Custom Linux and Android BSPs further enhance this by tailoring software to your hardware’s specific needs. With Witekio’s engineering expertise, your embedded projects are assured of success from start to finish.