VxWorks 7 Development Procedure User Guide

Introduction

Prerequisites

• Software:
  • VxWorks 7 SDK (Software Development Kit)
  • Wind River Workbench 4
  • Access to VxWorks documentation (available within Workbench or online)
• Hardware:
  • A development host (Windows or Linux supported)
  • Target hardware or a simulator (like QEMU or VxWorks Simulator)
• Knowledge:
  • Basic understanding of C/C++ programming
  • Familiarity with real-time systems concepts

Step-by-Step Development Procedure

1. Setup Development Environment

• Install VxWorks 7 SDK: Follow the installation guide provided by Wind River to set up the SDK on your host system.
• Configure Workbench:
  • Start Workbench.
  • Ensure all paths are correctly set in the environment variables (e.g., WIND_HOME, WIND_BASE).

2. Create a VxWorks Source Build (VSB) Project

• Navigate to the VxWorks directory in Workbench.
• Select 'File' > 'New' > 'VxWorks Source Build Project'.
• Choose your BSP (Board Support Package). If developing for a custom board, you might need to create or modify an existing BSP.
• Configure the layers and components you need for your project. For example, add layers like USER_MANAGEMENT for security features.

3. Build the VSB

• Right-click on your VSB project > 'Build Project'. This step compiles all the components into a library that can be used by your application.

4. Create a VxWorks Image Project (VIP)

• From Workbench, 'File' > 'New' > 'VxWorks Image Project'.
• Link this project to your VSB by selecting it during creation.
• Configure your boot parameters, network settings, etc., according to your application's needs.

5. Develop Your Application

• Write Your Code: Use C or C++ for application development. You can write kernel mode applications (DKMs) or user mode applications (RTPs).
  • For DKMs:
    • Use kernel APIs for system calls.
    • Ensure your code interacts correctly with the kernel environment.
  • For RTPs:
    • Develop in a more isolated environment with memory protection.
• Integrate with VxWorks:
  • Add your source files to your VIP.
  • Use the vxprj command line tools or Workbench UI to add components or modify configurations.

6. Build the Application

• Build your VIP which includes your application. This will compile your code and link it with the VxWorks libraries.

7. Test and Debug

• Simulator: Use the VxWorks simulator for initial testing without hardware.
  • Launch the simulator from Workbench or command line (vxsim).
  • Load and run your application.
• Physical Hardware:
  • Deploy your image to the target hardware.
  • Use Workbench's debugging tools to step through your code, set breakpoints, etc.

8. Optimize and Refine

• Use system analysis tools in Workbench to profile your application, check for memory leaks, or optimize task scheduling.

9. Documentation and Finalization

• Document your application, including how to configure, build, and deploy it.
• Ensure all necessary components and configurations are documented for future maintenance or team handover.

Additional Considerations

• Security: If your application involves user authentication, ensure to configure USER_MANAGEMENT properly as described in VxWorks documentation.
• Networking: If network functionality is required, configure network components in your VSB/VIP.
• Updates: Regularly check for updates or patches from Wind River to keep your development environment robust and secure.

Conclusion