Hello Linux folkz, Could somebody enlighten me in this confusion. Is MIPS processors the same processor family as Intel's StrongARM
Message-ID: <200011130918070187.5D2CD10C@exchange1>
Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 09:18:07 -0500
From: "Tim Duggan"
they are totally different animals.
They are completely different, just as powerpc and axp (alpha) are.
I'm trying to compail kernel for Cassiopea-125 PDA which has StrongARM processor and I don't know if MIPS kernel will work with it.
According to this site http://www.casio.com:80/corporate/pressroom.cfm?act=2&pr=3996 The processor is a VR4122, which is in fact a MIPS design (produced by NEC) and not a SrongARM after all, so your MIPS kernel should work. It looks to be one sweet unit, now I'm jealous ;-) http://www.linuxdevices.com/products/PD4941007242.html Have a look at NEC's site. http://www.necel.com/home.nsf/Main?ReadForm&Microprocessors Select the VR4100 family and check out the product brief (pdf file). Get both the vr4122 and vr4121 files. (I'll explain a little further down). You should be able to get the vr kernel to work on it. Here is a link to the main linux vr website where there is almost too much info :-) http://www.linux-vr.org/ I assume you got your stuff from pocketlinux.org, if so make sure you have the best possible package to start with. Note that the VR4122 in your pda is a 64-bit processor made by NEC and IIRC the helio uses an R39xx unit which is 32-bit and probably a Toshiba part. Both the VR41xx and R39xx are MIPS designs but different enough to cause headaches. The casio E-105 to E-115 use a VR4121 which looks to be the same chip with a smaller cache and no pci support so you should definitely go with that package. There are some differences in the LCD controller and touch panel interface which might cause a sticking point (note page 3 of the two pdf files and how the companion chips are different). It is tough to say how Casio implemented these but it looks like you will have to address the issue of the touch panel no matter what. I assume they used the on-chip A/D converter in the 115 and they cannot in the 125. I can't speak as to how big a job it will be but if you look around a bit you may find someone has already done it.
Thank you in advance for any information. Alex
HTH and Good luck Tim