Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Embedded Linux
Embedded Linux refers to the use of the Linux operating system in embedded systems such as cell phones, PDAs, media player handsets, and other consumer electronics devices.
In the past an embedded development was mostly performed using proprietary code written in assembler. Developers had to write all of the hardware drivers and interfaces from scratch.
It appeared that the Linux kernel, combined with a small set of other free software utilities could be fit into the confines of the limited hardware space of an embedded device. A typical installation of embedded Linux takes about 2 megabyte.
Some other embedded OSs are QNX, Windows CE, Embedded NT, PalmOS.
Embedded Linux has these advantages compared to other embedded OSes:
- Open source
- Small footprint (Windows CE takes 21MB compared to 2MB for Embedded Linux)
- No royalty costs
- Mature and stable (over ten years of age and used in many devices)
- Well supported
| Contents |
Embedded Linux Consortium
In San Francisco, California on July 15, 2003 the Embedded Linux Consortium (ELC http://www.embedded-linux.org/ ), which includes IBM, Intel, Motorola, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Siemens and Sony, announced a new phase of standardization activity to prepare specifications that will help product developers manage power consumption, design user interfaces and achieve real time performance for embedded Linux applications. The standards are to create a globally accepted platform offering test suites and branding to enhance the marketability of conforming products. In 2002, the ELC introduced the Embedded Linux Consortium Platform Specification (ELCPS). The target for the first draft of the ELCPS API was May 2004.
LinuxDevices.com
Founded in November, 1999, LinuxDevices.com has become a highly popular resource for those seeking the latest news and information relating to the growing use of Linux within embedded systems and devices of all kinds. The site publishes numerous 'quick reference guides' with information and photos of newly announced Linux-powered gadgets and devices including PDAs, mobile phones, robots, gateway/server devices, consumer electronics, and industrial applications. It also publishes lists of both free and commercial embedded Linux distributions and other related software such as embedded browsers, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), Java Virtual Machines (JVMs), and application-oriented middleware. The site's guides to Linux PDAs and Linux Smartphones are among its most popular pages.
List of mobile telephones running Linux
- E28 E2800
- Motorola A760, A768, A780,E680
- Panasonic P901i
- NEC N901ic
- Samsung SCH-i519
- Telepong
- Wildseed
- Linux on or with mobile (cellular) phones
- Road S101
- Linux Smartphone Quick Reference Guide
See also
External links
- Embedded Linux @ dmoz.org
- linux @ embedded.com
- Embedded Linux Interfacing: Hardware, Software and Interfacing, Craig Hollabaugh, Addison/Wesley
- Building Embedded Linux Systems, Karim Yaghmour, @ O'Reilly
- http://www.uclinux.org/
- http://www.ucdot.org/ Embedded Linux Developer Forum
- the CE Linux Forum has posted its CE Linux Forum Specification online, to help Linux on embedded systems boot faster and use less power.
- Embedded Debian
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details