Beaglebone Blue Guide

Beaglebone Blue is a Linux Debian-based OS device that allows users to experiment with robotic projects. There are 3 ways to power the board. You can plug all 3 power sources at the same time without any problems.

Update BBB Debian

• BBB can run from 2 storage sources:
  • SD Card
  • eMMC (Embedded Multi Media Card): storage soldered directly onto the board.
• Out of the box, BBB has a pre-installed Debian OS that users can use right away.
• If you need to update the Debian OS, follow the instructions below.

Images Download

Image Download Link

Debian 9.5 2018-10-07 4GB SD IoT (Allows the BBB to boot directly from the SD card) [MATLAB compatible!!!]

Debian 9.5 2018-10-07 4GB SD IoT eMMC flasher (Requires the BBB to flash the eMMC before use)

Flash Image eMMC Flasher

1. Download BalenaEtcher
2. Flash the downloaded image to the SD card using BalenaEtcher
3. Put the SD card into the BBB card slot
4. Hold the SD button on the BBB while connecting it to the PC
5. Wait until the LED flashes, then release the SD button
6. When new storage appears on the PC, the BBB is ready to use

Flash Image Non-eMMC Flasher

Follow the procedure from the "Flash Image eMMC Flasher" section.

1. Connect to the BBB via the browser Cloud9 IDE at: 192.168.7.2:3000
2. Navigate to /opt/scripts/tools/eMMC and execute init-eMMC-flasher:

                cd
                cd opt/scripts/tools/eMMC
                sudo ./init-eMMC-flasher-v3.sh
            

3. BBB will begin flashing mode. Do not disconnect the power.
4. Wait until the LEDs completely shut down, then unplug and replug the power.

Connect to WiFi

On the Terminal in Cloud9 IDE, run the following commands:

            connmanctl
            tether wifi off
            enable wifi
            scan wifi
            services
            agent on
            connect {wifi name ex:wifi_f45eab_.................}
            password
            exit
        

Shutdown BBB

            sudo shutdown now
        

Auto Execute Program on Startup

References: Link1 | Link2

Verify Executable Application

Ensure you have a main compiled file ready to run by executing it via ./name_program. For Simulink-generated files:

1. On BBB terminal in Cloud9:

   
                       mkdir name_of_folder
                   

2. On Simulink, go to config and change the target folder to the one created on BBB. Run the build.
3. On BBB, go into the folder and run the file to verify it works:

   
                       cd name_of_folder
                       sudo ./name_program.elf
                   

Create Auto Execute

After the file is working properly, follow these steps to make it auto start:

1. Create a shell script in /usr/bin/ and make it executable:

   
                       cd /usr/bin/
                       sudo touch name.sh
                       sudo chmod u+x /usr/bin/name.sh
                       sudo nano name.sh
                   

   Place the following code in the script and modify it to your needs:

   
                       #!/bin/bash
                       cd /home/debian/name_of_folder
                       sudo ./name_program.elf
                   

2. Create a service file in /lib/systemd/ (or /lib/systemd/system/):

   
                       cd /lib/system/
                       sudo touch my_srv.service
                       sudo nano my_srv.service
                   

   Insert the following content:

   
                       [Unit]
                       Description=description of code
                       After=syslog.target network.target
   
                       [Service]
                       Type=simple
                       ExecStart=/usr/bin/name.sh
   
                       [Install]
                       WantedBy=multi-user.target
                   

3. Create a symbolic link between your script and /etc:

   
                       sudo ln -s /lib/systemd/my_srv.service /etc/systemd/system/my_srv.service
                   

4. Start the service:

   
                       sudo systemctl daemon-reload
                       sudo systemctl enable my_srv.service
                       sudo systemctl start my_srv.service
                       

5. Reboot to take effect:

   
                       sudo reboot now
                   

6. Control the service:

   
                       sudo systemctl status my_srv.service
                       sudo systemctl stop my_srv.service
                       sudo systemctl start my_srv.service
                       sudo systemctl disable my_srv.service