Linux and Embedded Linux

A warm welcome to the Linux and Embedded Linux course by Uplatz.

What is Embedded Linux?

Embedded Linux is a form of Linux kernel which is specifically designed for embedded systems & devices. For e.g. Android, the most popular mobile operating system, is a type of embedded Linux customized for smartphones. Essentially, Embedded Linux is specifically customized for embedded systems. Therefore it is has a much smaller size, requires less processing power and has minimal features. Based on the requirements of the underlying embedded system, the Linux kernel is modified and optimized as an embedded Linux version.

An embedded system is a computer that serves a dedicated purpose involving computation for real-time operations. Embedded systems are all around us in consumer, industrial, telecommunication and even medical applications.

Embedded systems can have varying degrees of complexity, ranging from a simple thermometer to modern smartphones. Today, the demand for capable embedded systems are on the rise as modern applications such as machine learning make their way into consumer devices.

A kernel is the core of an operating system that manages the operations of the computer and its hardware, especially the memory and CPU. In other words, the kernel is the interface between software and hardware.

Why Embedded Linux?

Embedded Linux provides flexible, low-cost, open-source environment and gets adapted to specific-purpose microprocessors. Compared to proprietary embedded operating systems, Linux allows multiple software, development, and support vendors; it has a stable kernel and provides the ability to read, modify, and redistribute source code.

Operating systems based on the Linux kernel are used in embedded systems such as consumer electronics (i.e. set-top boxes, smart TVs, personal video recorders (PVRs), in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), networking equipment (such as routers, switches, wireless access points (WAPs) or wireless routers), machine control, industrial automation, navigation equipment, spacecraft flight software, and medical instruments in general).

Because of their versatility, operating systems based on the Linux kernel can be also found in mobile devices that are actually touchscreen-based embedded devices, such as smartphones and tablets, together with personal digital assistants (PDAs) and portable media players that also include a touchscreen. This is a challenge for most learners because their computer experience is mainly based on GUI (Graphical user interface) based interaction with the machine and high-level programming on the one hand and low-level programming of small microcontrollers on the other hand while the concept of command line interfaces is widely unknown.

Linux will be a major player in the embedded OS landscape. It emerges as the platform of choice for many vendors of various sorts of equipment. Traditionally, embedded systems are based on proprietary kernels and small microcontrollers but the developments in CMOS technology constantly lowers the price difference between 8-bit controllers and low-power implementations of 32-bit general purpose CPUs. In the same vein, the manufacturers and vendors of embedded systems want to put their equipment over the internet thus requiring TCP/IP and multitasking. Implementing and supporting applications and kernels of this degree of complexity with proprietary software incurs a high cost. Hence, the incentive to replace microcontrollers with general purpose CPUs and in-house developed kernels with a standard operating system is growing rapidly. Thus the ever growing need of Linux kernel.

Benefits of using Linux for Embedded Systems

• Design of communication and application architectures supporting a distributed system in which individual components may drop out and reenter without prior notification

• Design of services that fits a future home and workplace filled with communicating smart equipment

• Mission critical embedded applications need to run efficiently and effectively, thus Linux

This Embedded Linux course explains how embedded Linux systems are developed along with an exploration of the hardware and software ecosystems. The course covers different aspects of Linux and Embedded Linux concepts, command line interfaces, Linux ecology, embedded Linux kernel and device driver development, embedded Linux audio and multimedia, USB drivers. The Linux and Embedded Linux course also explains how to use java for embedded Linux systems, IT OMAP processors, ARM and RT Linux besides covering the new aspects of Linux 2.6, frequently used Linux commands, and more.

Linux and Embedded Linux - Course Syllabus

1. Linux - Unix - GNU Linux Command Line

2. Linux and Ecology

3. Embedded Linux - Kernel and Device Driver Development

4. Linux File System Hierarchy Standard

5. Embedded Linux Audio

6. Multimedia in Embedded Linux Systems

7. Linux USB Drivers

8. Linux for PDA

9. Java for Embedded Linux Systems

10. Linux for TI OMAP Processors

11. ARM Linux Specifics

12. What is new in Linux 2.6

13. Frequently used Linux Commands

14. RT Linux