Embedded Operating Systems
and Linux
Presented by
Aaruni Giriraj
VIIIth Sem I.T
Agenda
What is an embedded Operating System
Who are the players
Linux as an embedded OS
Tools and development
Applications and products
The embedded OS market
Embedded OS Resources
OS Flavors
Desktop
• Windows (9X, XP Home, XP/2000 Pro)
• Mac
Server
• Windows (XP/2000 Server &Advanced Server)
• Unix Varieties
Embedded
• Many
What is an Embedded OS?
An "embedded system" is any computer system or
computing device that performs a dedicated function or is
designed for use with a specific embedded software
application.
Embedded systems may use a ROM-based operating
system or they may use a disk-based system, like a PC.
But an embedded system is not usable as a commercially
viable substitute for general purpose computers or devices.
What makes a good Embedded OS?
Modular
Scalable
Configurable
Small footprint
CPU support
Device drivers
etc, etc, etc...
What is Real Time?
“Real time in operating systems:
The ability of the operating system to
provide a required level of service in a
bounded response time.”
- POSIX Standard 1003.1
Hard vs. Soft Real Time
Hard
• guaranteed worst-case response times
• absolutely, positively, first time every
time
Soft
• Kinda, sorta, usually
What makes a good RTOS?
Multi-threaded and pre-emptible
Thread priority has to exist because no
deadline driven OS exists
Must support predictable thread
synchronization mechanisms
A system of priority inheritance must exist
Commercial Embedded Linux
Neoware NeoLinux
• Red Hat derived for information appliances
PalmPalm Tynux
• Internet appliuance and multimedia
Red Hat Embedded Linux
• general purpose embedded solution
RedSonic Red-Ice Linux
• runs from DiskonChip or CompactFlash
Open Source Embedded Linux
Embedded Debian Project
• convert Debian to an embedded OS
ETLinux
• for PC104 SBC’s
uCLinux
• for microprocessors that don’t have MM
uLinux (muLinux)
• distro fits on a single floppy
Commercial Linux RTOS
FSMLabs - Open RT Linux
Lineo - Embedix Realtime
LynuxWorks - BlueCat RT
MontaVista Software - Real Time Extensions
REDSonic - REDICE Linux
TimeSys - Linux/Real-Time
Open Source Linux RTOS
ART Linux - real time extension based on
RTLinux
KURT - event schedules with 10us resolution
Linux-SRT - for soft real time apps like
multimedia
Qlinux - provides Quality of Service guarantees
RTAI - “hard” Real Time Application Interface
RTLinux
A “hard real-time” mini operating system
runs Linux as it’s lowest priority execution thread
Linux thread completely preemptible
Real time threads and interrupt handlers never
delayed by non-realtime operations
Supports user level programming
MiniRTL implementation fits on a floppy
What’s so special about Linux?
Multiple choices vs. sole source
Source code freely available
Robust and reliable
Modular, configurable, scalable
Superb support for networking and Internet
No runtime licenses
Large pool of skilled developers
What’s so special about Linux?
What’s special about Open Source?
Flies in the Ointment
Lack of hardware device drivers
Competing and/or lacking standards
No formalized qualification testing
No single source for marketing
GPL license issues
Startup vendors with shaky futures
What CPU’s will it run on?
Intel X86
MIPS
ARM
StrongARM
PowerPC
Hitachi SuperH
C or C++ for Development?
In general C is a better choice
• Advanced OOP features can cause code bloat
• C++ compilers can generate many routines for
a single function
• Virtual methods and polymorphism slow
program launch times significantly
Size really does matter
Target Applications
Cell and Web Phones
Telepong Mobile
Phone
GITWiT Mobile Aplio/PRO IP Phone
Phone
Growth of Embedded Linux
For Further Info
Web Sites
LinuxDevices.com
http://www.linuxdevices.com/
Embedded Linux Consortium
http://www.embedded-linux.org/index.php3
All Linux Devices
http://alllinuxdevices.com/
Embedded Linux StarGate
http://linux-embedded.com/
For Further Info
Web Sites/Magazines
Dr. Dobbs Embedded Systems
http://www.ddjembedded.com/about/
Embedded Linux Journal
http://embedded.linuxjournal.com/
Embedded Systems Programming
http://www.embedded.com/mag.htm
