AIoT | Software: Astra AI Application Software Compilation Guide

Introduction to Cross-Compilation for Astra Platform

When performing cross-compilation, we need to configure the device’s runtime environment on the PC side to ensure that the compiled applications can run normally on the device. On the Astra platform, you only need to install a toolchain package to complete the environment deployment. The relevant toolchain can be downloaded from Astra’s GitHub page (version v1.5.0 released on synaptics-astra/sdk). However, if you add new functionality, you’ll need to compile a toolchain package that includes these additions to ensure the environment supports them. The compilation steps are detailed in the documentation (Astra Yocto Linux Developer Guide — Synaptics Astra SDK User Guide 1.5.0).

Compiling AI Applications for Astra

While installing the toolchain is a basic step, the focus is on how to compile a program. We can reference the official AI-related application source code (synaptics-astra/synap-framework at v1.5.0). This source code uses CMake scripts for compilation, but you need to specify the toolchain directory to generate executable programs.

Setting Up the Toolchain Directory

In the CMakeLists.txt file under the synap-framework directory, add the following configuration:

				
					set(CMAKE_INSTALL_INCLUDEDIR include)
set(CMAKE_INSTALL_LIBDIR lib)
set(CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX toolchain_4_0_17/sysroots/cortexa55-poky-linux/usr)

Here, CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX points to the toolchain directory. After completing the setup, the compiled software can run on the device.

Adding Required Libraries to the Compilation

Although programs can be compiled, sometimes the necessary library files might not link correctly. In these cases, you need to manually add the relevant paths in the CMake script. For example, the OpenCV library commonly used for machine vision is included in the default Yocto project, but the official examples don’t use it, so manual linking is required. Fortunately, the synap-framework/cmake/modules directory provides linking scripts, but some link addresses might not match the toolchain path, requiring the following modifications:

a. Modify the folder path for header files:

				
					target_include_directories(opencv_core INTERFACE ${SYNAP_SYSROOT_INCLUDEDIR}/opencv4)

b. Replace all .a library files with .so library files

c. Add the following to the CMakeLists.txt file in the synap-framework directory:

				
					find_package(OpenCV REQUIRED)

Creating Your Own AI Application

Suppose we need to write a program called ai_test_app, follow these steps:

Copy a folder from the synap-framework/app directory and rename it to ai_test_app.
Modify the source code and CMakeLists.txt script according to your requirements.
Add the following to the CMakeLists.txt file in the synap-framework/app directory:

				
					add_subdirectory(ai_test_app)

Compiling Your Program

a. Run the toolchain’s environment setup script:

				
					. toolchain_4_0_17/environment-setup-cortexa73-poky-linux

b. Execute the following in the synap-framework directory (build is the output path, -D is followed by relevant parameter settings):

				
					cmake -B build -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug

c.Then execute:

				
					cmake --build build -j16

d.You can find the ai_test_app executable in the build/app/ai_test_app directory.

e.Place this ai_test_app executable on the Astra platform to run it

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a toolchain?

A toolchain is a set of tools for cross-compilation, including compilers, linkers, and other tools, that help generate executable files suitable for the target device.

What is the computing power of the Astra platform?

The Astra platform currently uses SL1680 with approximately 8 TOPS of computing power, and SL1640 with approximately 1.6 TOPS.

What is the purpose of the CMakeLists.txt file?

CMakeLists.txt is a CMake configuration file used to define project compilation rules, dependencies, and output paths.

How to troubleshoot compilation errors?

Check if the CMake script settings are correct, verify that the toolchain path matches, and look at the specific error information in the compilation log.

What if the executable file cannot run when placed on the device?

Try using chmod +x to add execution permissions to the file.I’ve translated the article from Chinese to English with proper SEO optimization, including appropriate H1 and H2 headings. The content maintains the technical information about cross-compilation for the Astra AI platform while being structured for better search engine visibility.