Linux® Ultra-Fast Boot
Last modified by Microchip on 2026/08/26 16:46
Introduction
Linux® Ultra-Fast Boot by Microchip Technology brings embedded Linux to life in under 5 seconds (down to 1.7s depending on storage media, snapshot size and configuration). By restoring a pre-saved Linux snapshot directly from flash, it enables true cold starts with a faster, smoother user experience. Ideal for HMI, graphics, industrial, and consumer applications.
Microchip Technology’s Ultra-Fast Boot solution for Linux is secure, deterministic, and supported on SAMA5, SAMA7, and SAM9X MPUs, this user's guide presents the steps for Ultra-Fast Boot mode and how to prepare a snapshot image for Fast Boot.
Ultra-Fast Boot Overview
Ultra-Fast Boot Operating Modes
Ultra-Fast Boot supports three operating modes
- Manually Save and Load Snapshot Image Mode
- Automatically Save and Load Snapshot Image Mode
- Load Pre-saved Snapshot Image Mode
Get Started With the Ultra-Fast Boot Feature Under Linux®
Prerequisites
- Prepare Demo Image
- Create a Partition of the SD Card to Store the Snapshot Image
- Update U-Boot Bootargs
- Get Memory Mapping Parameters
aT91bootstrap
Kernel
Apply Kernel Patch to Support Ultra-Fast Boot
Snapshot Image
Quick Reference Documentation
For further study, refer to the following:
- "Linux 4 SAM" is the reference webpage for information related to Linux and open source for Microchip microprocessors (MPUs). The webpage provides comprehensive solutions to help elaborate Linux-based systems, from pre-built reference distributions to associated instructions to build the systems from source code.
- Suspend-to-RAM (STR)
- balenaEtcher - Flash OS images to SD™ cards and USB® drives
- SAM-BA In-System Programming and Provisioning (ISPP)
Base Components
Tool Kit
- SAMA7D65 Series Data Sheet
- SAMA7D65 Curiosity User Guide
- SAMA7G5 Series Data Sheet
- SAMA7G54-EK User Guide
- SAMA5D29 Series Data Sheet
- SAMA5D29 Curiosity User Guide
- SAM9X75 Curiosity User Guide