Electron¶

Introduction¶

“Electron is a framework that enables you to create desktop applications with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.” - https://www.electronjs.org/docs/tutorial/quick-start

Electron requires nodejs and npm on your target to run.

This article will introduce you to run Electron on one of our Modules.

Demo Video¶

Precompiled Images¶

Note

There are precompiled images, including our Electron Demo, available.
If you want to start developing yourself, just continue reading this guide.

Module	Precompiled Demo Image	Flashtools
QSMP-1570	qsmp-1570-electron-demo.zip	STM32CubeProgrammer
TX8M-1610	tx8m-1610-electron-demo.zip - Download Area	UUU - Universal Update Utility

Debian Setup¶

Install the required packages

Refer to our Debian 12 guide

apt update
apt install -y nodejs npm
apt install -y libnss3 libatk1.0-0 libatk-bridge2.0-0 libgtk-3-0 libasound2
npm install --save-dev electron

Option 1: X11

apt install -y xserver-xorg xinit
export DISPLAY=:0
xinit &

Option 2: Weston

apt install -y weston
export XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/run/user/0
export WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-1
weston --backend=drm-backend.so --tty=1 --continue-without-input &

Electron needs to be be started with option --ozone-platform=wayland. See Electron Demo, package.json

"start": "electron main.js --no-sandbox --ozone-platform=wayland",
"test": "electron --inspect --remote-debugging-port=9223 main.js --no-sandbox --ozone-platform=wayland"

Yocto Setup¶

For creating the neccessary RootFS, a complete Yocto build environment is required.

Depending on your module choose the correct guide - if not already set up.

Note

QSXP, QSXM, QS8M, TX8M, TX8P use NXP Yocto BSP Guide

Note

QSMP, TXMP, TX6, TXUL use Mainline Yocto BSP Guide

Setup the Yocto build-directory as described in the Yocto guide for your machine. Use the following values:

DISTRO=karo-xwayland
MACHINE=<desired-machine>

Append your conf/local.conf as follows.

TX6, TXUL, QSMP, TXMP

QS8M, QSXM, QSXP, TX8

IMAGE_INSTALL:append = " \
    git \
    nodejs \
    nodejs-npm \
    cups \
    libxscrnsaver \
    nss \
"

IMAGE_INSTALL:append = " \
    git \
    nodejs \
    nodejs-npm \
    cups \
    libxscrnsaver \
    at-spi2-atk \
    libxcomposite \
    libxrandr \
    nss \
"

IMAGE_ROOTFS_EXTRA_SPACE = "1048576"

Compile the image.

bitbake karo-image-weston

If the build fails due to memory limits.

A main memory size of 4 GB per core should be sufficient. If you experience problems, you can also reduce the number of parallel builds using BB_NUMBER_THREADS

Program your board using our manufacturing tools. You can also boot the image from net/tftp.

Note

QSXP, QSXM, QS8M, TX8M, TX8P use UUU - Universal Update Utility

Note

QSMP, TXMP use STM32CubeProgrammer

Note

TX6, TXUL use Mfgtool

Applies only to a TXRZ or QSRZ in use with a Yocto built image

Add PAN_MESA_DEBUG=”noafbc” in /etc/environment or export PAN_MESA_DEBUG=”noafbc”

Start Demo Application¶

Note

The Demo was written for a 640x480 screen.

Depending on the display you use, it could be, that backlight adjustment is not working.

Module Prequisites	Host Prequisites
Network with Internet access connected	Network connection to Module
Display connected	Chrome Web Browser
SSH accessible	SSH Client

Boot the target, and log-in using SSH or Serial Terminal connection.

Check out our Demo application by cloning it from GitHub.

Module	Branch Name
TX6, TXUL	`tx6`
TXMP, QSMP	`txmp`
TX8M, TX8P	`tx8`
QSXP, QSXM, QS8M	`qs8`

git clone https://github.com/karo-electronics/electron-demo.git -b <branch>

Tip

If you’re receiving any SSL/certificate errors make sure your module has set the correct time.

ntpdate -s -u <ntp-server>

Into the electron-demo folder install the npm dependencies.

cd electron-demo
npm install

Set the display variable and start the application.

export DISPLAY=:0
npm start

Remote Debugging¶

In the package.json file of the demo application there are two scripts specified.

"scripts": {
    "start": "electron main.js --no-sandbox",
    "test": "electron --inspect --remote-debugging-port=9223 main.js --no-sandbox"
},

Hint

For TX6 Modules you have to add the extra flag --use-gl=egl to get GPU acceleration.

For remote debugging we will run the test script.

export DISPLAY=:0
npm test

On our host we now have to open two SSH tunnels.

ssh -L 9222:localhost:9223 root@<module-ip>
ssh -L 9221:localhost:9229 root@<module-ip>

When the application is started the debug ports should be forwarded to your host.

Next open Chrome and goto: chrome://inspect

Press Configure... and configure like shown below.

Then the nodejs main process and the frontend should both appear and you’re able to inspect/debug each of them.

After clicking inspect you’re able to remote control the application and debug the frontend.