Compile Raspberry Pi Linux Kernel

This article record how I compile a usable Linux kernel with Emdebian cross-compiler.

Platform: Debian Wheezy
Cross Compiler: arm-linux-gnueabihf-gcc-4.7

1. Set Emdebian apt repo.
   vi /etc/apt/sources.list
   
   deb http://www.emdebian.org/debian sid main
   
2. Update apt repo. and then add Emdebian keyring. Last, install the cross compiler.
   
   >> sudo apt-get update
   >> sudo apt-get install emdebian-archive-keyring
   >> sudo apt-get install gcc-4.7-arm-linux-gnueabihf
   
3. Set symbolic link of arm-linux-gnueabihf-gcc
   
   >> sudo ln -s /usr/bin/arm-linux-gnueabihf-gcc-4.7 /usr/bin/arm-linux-gnueabihf-gcc
   
4. Download Raspberry Pi Linux kernel source code from github
   
   >> git clone https://github.com/raspberrypi/linux.git
   
5. Clean the build directory
   
   >>ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=arm-linux-gnueabihf- make mrproper
   
6. Copy Raspberry Pi kernel config file
   
   >> cp arch/arm/configs/bcmrpi_defconfig .config
   
7. Check or Modify kernel features (need libncurses5-dev)
   
   >>ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=arm-linux-gnueabihf- make menuconfig
   
8. Build kernel Image
   
   >>ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=arm-linux-gnueabihf- make Image
   
9. If already has a bootable SD card, copy file to replace kernel.img in the SD card.
   
   >> cp arch/arm/boot/Image /media/SD_CARD/kernel.img
   
10. Finish. 

The other kernel config can use and build OK: bcmrpi_cutdown_defconfig