Loreley : A minimal 68030 SBC running Linux
Summary
A minimal 68030 single-board computer running Linux.
Background Story
The 68030 board was built in 2019. At the time, Beagle Bone Black and Raspberry Pi single-board computers were already widely available. But could we have a more “basic” SBC to boot Linux? Yes!
What does a Linux need, actually?
- CPU with a MMU
- 4 MB of RAM
- And for a great user experience: Something to interact with the user
Specification
Alright, let’s build it:
- CPU: Motorola 68030 clocked at 20 MHz — MC68030 was the first 68000-family CPU with a built-in MMU, supported by the vanilla Linux kernel
- RAM: 8 MB SRAM, just to have some buffer
- UART: NXP 28L92 - an enhanced derivative of the well-known 68681, supported by the vanilla Linux kernel
- CPLD as Glue Logic: Xilinx XC95144XL-TQ144, a 5V-tolerant CPLD
- ROM for boot loader: SST39SF040, a 512 kBytes flash
- … and a NE555
- KiCAD schematics and board layout will be released
- CPLD sources will be released
The Software
- A Vanilla Kernel version 5.6.0 patched to support the Loreley board
- Linux repository will be released
Demo
- will be released
The Name
While constructing and debugging the board I listened a lot to Lord of the Lost — Loreley.