AllWinner A31 software development kits (SDK) for Android 4.2 / 4.4 and Linux can now be downloaded, and relevant documentation has also been made available, including HummingBird A31 system brief and system manual. Part of the documentation is in English, but lots of it, is in Chinese only.
Download links to AllWinner A31 SDKs for HummingBird A31 development board, but they may be useful for other hardware platforms based on AllWinner A31:
- Android 4.4 SDK (password: 5ck9) – a31_v4.5_hummingbird_kfb_ok.tar.gz (6.04 GB)
- Android 4.2 SDK (password: tz17) – a31_hummbingbird_V3.3_v2_kfb_0k.tar.gz (3.99 GB)
- Linux SDK (password: kdcw) – A31_MerriiLinux_V3.3_v1.tar.gz (1.17 GB)
There are also links to firmware files specific to HummingBird:
- Android 4.4 firmware LCD output (password: w1s6)
- Android 4.2 firmware LCD output (password: b7de)
- Android 4.2 firmware VGA output (password: nfqw)
- Linux firmware (password: ibal)
It takes a very long time to download the SDKs, so I haven’t checked the files, and hopefully there’s also some documentation inside. But if you want a quicker look at the documentation including AlLWinner A31 datasheet, AllWinner A31 tablet and STB schematics, and more, you may want to have a look at http://wens.csie.org/a31/, but soon these may become available on linux-sunxi.org.. [Update: The SDK can now downloaded @ http://dl.linux-sunxi.org/SDK/A31/ and the documentation @ http://dl.linux-sunxi.org/A31/]
On a related note, there will be soon another AllWinner A31 development board and systems-on-module (A31-SOM-EVB + A31-SOM) made by Olimex.
Thanks to Domingos!
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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This is 1999, 40KB/sec, 20 hours to download 4GB…
Wonder why they are not just using GitHub?
“Allwinner does not actively participate in or support this community. In fact, it is violating the GPLv2 license in several ways and has so far not shown willingness to resolve this.”
Looks like this is still an issue http://linux-sunxi.org/Main_Page
So wondering is the source code is complete for A31? It is still not for previous SoC models
@zooba
I’m living in 1999 quite often here, especially for YouTube uploads…
@Harley
Maybe Merrii did not release the SDK publicly, and you only get it when you purchase the board. I think one of linux-sunxi member mentioned it.
The source code is not complete when it comes to GPU and VPU drivers, but it’s pretty standard for all ARM SoCs. Nvidia and Nvidia have made efforts to release at least part the code, maybe even fully open source for Nvidia Tegra K1 GPU (TBC).
Try baidu application for faster download.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
Merrii released these SDKs and firmware to people who’ve bought the Hummingbird and registered in their forum.
However, I’ve asked them and they’ve agreed for me to upload them publicly, which I will do very soon (SDK only).
@zooba
Slow is relative to where you are. They are hosted in China, which doesn’t have the best international connections. 🙁
@Harley
The SDK should be complete enough for a full system. I haven’t tested it though. It does contain blobs for certain things, such as NAND, GPU, and VPU.
I said Merrii gives you all needed files and manuals after buy (they said that), I did not buy finally as I’m not total sure if a change Rockchip-Allwinner is a good idea.
Yes, as Gabe said, the application from baidu is the recommended to download big files
Make a random gmail account and get 10GB free. Put the file on Google’s servers using GDrive. Set the GDrive file for public access and pass the URL out. GDrive is about 10,000x faster than Baidu file access.
I find mega.co.nz to be the fastest download option here.
But those files are in baidu because they are chinese companies. Here in China baidu is the faster service probably. Also most of these services are blocked. I use mega for my uploads, but from here I prefer download files from baidu with the chinese IP.
Anyway chinese companies must think about using mega or similar even its very slow to upload the files there from china…
The 3 A31 SDK versions have been made available at http://dl.linux-sunxi.org/SDK/A31/
This should be faster for some folks, as the site is in Europe.
Also the A31 documents have been moved to http://dl.linux-sunxi.org/A31/
Would it be possible to replace the URL in the article with this one?
I intended to host the files until I moved them over to linux-sunxi.
@wens
Thanks, I’ve updated the article.
Hi,
Where do I start to become a developer and be able to work with these SDKs?
@afrfb09ba
I’m not sure what you want to do exactly.
1. If you want to be an app developer, no need for the SDK.
2. If you want to change the Android system, or the Linux kernel, and interface some hardware with the board requiring your own driver. You’ll need the SDK, buy Merrii HummingBoard A31, and while waiting for the board, start reading the documentation to at least be able to build the SDK at first.
I am more interested in embedded hardware not in app development. There is plenty books on how to write apps but very few on the hardware part, for example on how to create a ROM to a specific SoC.
Apart from Linux, I was thinking in study a few books I found on embedded systems:embedded Android and embedded Linux.
What do you think? Do i need to study anything else/
Thanks in advance.
@afrfb09ba
You could check some of the resources I’ve provided @ http://www.cnx-software.com/how-tos-training-materials/embedded-linux-development/
For making ROMs for ARM SoC, you’d probably want to check XDA Developer Forums. Information is all over the place so it may take time to find out, but it should be there somewhere. Freaktab releases ROMs, but I’m not sure they have much information showing how to do it. I have some How-tos specific to some SoC – http://www.cnx-software.com/how-tos-training-materials/, but information may not be up-to-date.
Hello
How I can use this firmware on my dev.board? Iam beginner, sorry.
@Viktor
You need to read the documentation. If you have a A31 HummingBird it should be OK, but If you have another A31 board, and it will be challenging as you are a beginner.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
Where is documentation? ))
Merrii sale him Kit with NOTHING!!! only board I have, and I cant start it…. try connect some different display to VGA and HDMI, log from UART…. looks like android booting, but nothing displayed
iam upset
@Viktor
The links are provided in the post above.
Somebody already use A31 hummingbird board?
nobody….
very upset…
@Viktor
That board is not very popular. You could try on Merrii forums: http://bbs.merrii.com/en/viewforum.php?f=4
I know…
unfortunately….
May be somebody can talk me, wich board I can use to have a big community?
I need to use TWO display with Android, any from VGA, HDMI and LVDS, any TWO
@Viktor
Firefly-RK3288 support dual independent displays in Android. http://www.cnx-software.com/2015/01/20/independent-dual-display-support-on-firefly-rk3288-development-board-video/
The community is not that big, but still active. Make sure you find out how to configure dual display before getting the board, But some reasons, they did not provide instructions…
Intel/AMD platforms are normally better for dual displays, but Android support may be limited.