OverviewAbout this program
This program takes participants deep into the Linux driver ecosystem, equipping them to design, develop, and debug drivers across a wide range of hardware platforms. Starting from Linux driver architecture, participants gain a clear understanding of how drivers fit into the kernel and communicate with user-space applications.
The course explores hardware buses and subsystems supported by Linux — including PCI, USB, and network interfaces — so engineers can map real hardware to the kernel's driver framework. Special focus is given to peripheral interfaces like I²C and SPI, enabling work on sensors, controllers, and embedded devices with confidence.
Beyond the fundamentals, the program introduces AI-driven driver use cases, including video drivers for accelerated hardware — a must-have skillset in today's era of AI, vision, and machine-learning workloads. Every concept is reinforced with step-by-step driver walkthroughs of real Linux drivers from the kernel tree.
OutcomesWhat you'll be able to do
- ✓ Understand Linux driver architecture and how drivers expose device functionality to user space.
- ✓ Work with the hardware buses Linux supports — PCI, USB, I²C, SPI, UART — and how drivers interact with them.
- ✓ Explore the Linux camera subsystem, V4L2 framework, and AI-based video driver development.
- ✓ Use DMA for high-speed transfers across multimedia, networking, and AI accelerators.
- ✓ Move from simple character drivers to advanced, bus-specific and subsystem-level drivers through labs.
- ✓ Design, implement, and debug custom drivers for general-purpose and AI-accelerated hardware.
Curriculum11 modules · hands-on throughout
01Bus Architecture & Linux Driver Architecture⌄
- Device drivers defined
- Linux driver model
- Types of Linux drivers
- Driver stacks
02Char Driver Model⌄
- Synchronous drivers defined
- Driver registration & de-registration
- Driver file interface
- Device file operations
- Driver data structures
- Device configuration ops
- Wait queues & polling
- Memory mapping
03DMA⌄
- DMA Engine framework
- High-speed transfers for multimedia, networking & AI accelerators
04Hardware Access⌄
- Device addresses
- Port-mapped I/O
- Interacting with port-mapped devices
- Memory-mapped I/O
- Reserving address space (MMIO)
- MMIO access
- Device access side effects
- Device access from user space
05Interrupt Handling⌄
- Understanding interrupts
- Linux interrupt handlers
- Implementing a driver ISR
- Need for deferred routines
- Linux deferred routines
- Interrupt event management
06Device Tree⌄
- Device tree syntax
- Device tree walkthrough
- Device tree bindings
- Device tree support in bootloaders
- Using device tree data in drivers
07Peripheral Drivers — I²C, SPI, GPIO⌄
- I²C drivers
- SPI drivers
- GPIO drivers
- Interfacing sensors & controllers
08Input Drivers⌄
Understanding and hands-on with the Linux input subsystem and input drivers.
09USB Host Driver⌄
- USB topology & terminology
- Endpoints
- Descriptors
- USB device classes
- USB support in Linux
- Registering a USB device
- Moving data
- Example of a USB driver
10PCI Drivers⌄
- PCI device drivers
- Locating PCI devices
- Accessing configuration space
- Accessing I/O and memory spaces
- PCI Express
11Network Driver Model⌄
Understanding the Linux network driver model and how network drivers integrate with the kernel stack.
LabsRecommended hardware
Hands-on labs run on real boards so you practise driver work the way it happens on the job.
Before you startPrerequisites
AudienceWho should enroll
Your mentorLearn directly from the founder
Raghu Bharadwaj
75+ onsite trainings · 45+ enterprise clients · 10,000+ careers transformed since 2003. A thought leader in Embedded Linux education and the architect of TECH VEDA's hands-on training model.
ReviewsParticipant experiences
"Few people have a sound knowledge of Linux, and of those very few can teach. Raghu Sir is one of the best — he starts from the very basics and ends with complete insight. With 3 years of experience, I'm completely satisfied with the teaching and the topics covered."
"There are no words to describe Raghu Sir's knowledge of operating systems and device drivers. I'm now working at MediaTek, and the credit goes to Raghu Sir and TECH VEDA. Many wishes for TECH VEDA."
"An exceptional teacher who makes learning both enjoyable and effective. The ability to explain complex concepts clearly with real-life examples helps us understand and retain the material. The dedication, patience, and enthusiasm truly inspire us to do our best."
