Adding new driver to verdin AM62

Technical Support
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1

Hi Team,

I’m currently working on the Verdin AM62 SoM integrated on the Verdin Development Board. I need to connect a 3.5” MSP3520 TFT display that uses the ILI9488 controller.

Currently, the ILI9488 device driver is not available in the Verdin AM62 image. Could you please guide me on how to add a new driver to the Verdin AM62 using TorizonCore Builder to make this display work?

Thanks & Regards,
Meenakshy K M

2

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Adding ILI9488 Driver to Verdin AM62 with TorizonCore Builder

Hello Meenakshy,

To add the ILI9488 driver for your 3.5" MSP3520 TFT display to the Verdin AM62, you’ll need to use TorizonCore Builder to build and install external kernel modules(1). Here’s how to approach this:

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

  • A Toradex SoM with Torizon installed(2)
  • Understanding of TorizonCore Builder basics(2)
  • TorizonCore Builder installed(2)

Approach: Building External Kernel Modules

TorizonCore Builder supports building and installing external kernel modules in your custom OS image(2). You’ll need to specify the module’s source directory in the configuration file.

Configuration File Setup

Create or modify your tcbuild.yaml configuration file to include the kernel module:

customization:
  kernel:
    modules:
      # Add your ILI9488 driver source directory here
      - path/to/ili9488-driver-source

(2)

Display Configuration Considerations

For the Verdin AM62, note that it features a MIPI DSI interface(3). The Verdin Family uses MIPI DSI interface, commonly exposed on a board-to-board connector that can receive multiple display adapters(3).

Available Display Interfaces

The Verdin AM62 provides:

  • 1x Quad Lane MIPI DSI(4)
  • 1x LVDS (up to 1920x1080)(4)
  • HDMI via External Conversion From MIPI DSI(4)

Building Your Custom Image

Once you have your kernel module source and configuration file ready:

  1. Create the configuration file with the build --create-template command(2)
  2. Configure the kernel modules section as shown above(2)
  3. Build your custom image using the build command(1)

After building, you can:

  • Flash it manually using Toradex Easy Installer(1)
  • Deploy it directly to the SoM over SSH(1)
  • Push it remotely to Torizon Cloud for OTA deployment(1)

Important Notes

  • Ensure your ILI9488 driver source is compatible with the kernel version used in Torizon OS
  • Consider the physical interface requirements - you may need appropriate device tree overlays for your specific display connection
  • Test thoroughly on your development setup before deploying to production devices

The TorizonCore Builder tool simplifies generating production-ready, customized Torizon OS images(1), making it the ideal solution for adding your custom display driver.

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3

Greetings @Meenakshy,

Do you know whether the driver for this controller is available in the Linux kernel source? Or is it available outside of the Linux kernel source?

If it’s in the Linux kernel source we could just enable it on our side. If it’s not in the Linux kernel, then you have to integrate this yourself as instructed here: Building External Kernel Modules With Torizon | Toradex Developer Center

Best Regards,
Jeremias

4

Hi jeremias,

ILI9488 driver is not available in the linux kernel.

torizon@verdin-am62-15415886:~$ uname -r
6.6.94-7.3.0-g7642ad324113
torizon@verdin-am62-15415886:~$

torizon@verdin-am62-15415886:~$ cat /proc/version
Linux version 6.6.94-7.3.0-g7642ad324113 (oe-user@oe-host) (aarch64-tdx-linux-gcc (GCC) 13.3.0, GNU ld (GNU Binutils) 2.42.0.20240723) #1-Torizon SMP PREEMPT Thu Jul 3 08:47:26 UTC 2025
torizon@verdin-am62-15415886:~$

torizon@verdin-am62-15415886:~$ find /lib/modules/$(uname -r) -name “ili9488”
torizon@verdin-am62-15415886:~$

torizon@verdin-am62-15415886:~$ find /lib/modules/$(uname -r) -name “ili”
/lib/modules/6.6.94-7.3.0-g7642ad324113/kernel/drivers/media/platform/verisilicon
/lib/modules/6.6.94-7.3.0-g7642ad324113/kernel/drivers/media/usb/gspca/gspca_jeilinj.ko
/lib/modules/6.6.94-7.3.0-g7642ad324113/kernel/drivers/input/touchscreen/ili210x.ko
/lib/modules/6.6.94-7.3.0-g7642ad324113/kernel/drivers/input/touchscreen/ilitek_ts_i2c.ko
/lib/modules/6.6.94-7.3.0-g7642ad324113/kernel/net/6lowpan/nhc_mobility.ko
torizon@verdin-am62-15415886:~$

torizon@verdin-am62-15415886:~$ zcat /proc/config.gz | grep -i ili9488
torizon@verdin-am62-15415886:~$

Thanks & Regards,
Meenakshy

5

If the driver is not found in the Linux kernel source then you must find a suitable source yourself and integrate it manually via the documentation I linked prior.

Best Regards,
Jeremias