| Introducing Embedded Linux: Hardware, Software and Interfacing |
by Craig Hollabaugh
Eighteen months ago, Antec Corporation began to investigate incorporating SNMP within their cable television distribution equipment. They wanted to move away from proprietary and home-grown protocols and offer products capable of TCP communication with network management software. With volume in the 1000's, they required a low-cost, reliable, robust, and open solution. I suggested embedded Linux.
To use Linux in your design, download and compile source code, boot your target hardware, write some device drivers, and then create your application. Sound simple enough? However, from a practical perspective, there are probably a thousand steps involved. I began learning about embedded Linux by reading various HowTos, the documentation from Linux hardware projects, the device driver book, and the enormous wealth of information at LinuxDevices.com. As I pursued this quest, I became aware of a recurring question on mailing lists and in newsgroups: "I want to use Linux in my design. I read everything I could find but I still have no idea where to start." That's why I decided to write a book on embedded Linux; in my book, I tell you where to start.
Embedded Linux: Hardware, Software and Interfacing documents Project Trailblazer, a hypothetical winter resort automation project -- from initial funding, to design, and then through implementation and system integration. You will follow the Trailblazer engineers as they select target hardware, create a development environment, interface various data acquisition, control and multimedia devices, and then write device drivers and integration code.
I created Project Trailblazer to explain embedded Linux within the context of an example. Seeing how Linux is used in that design will help you with yours. Each Project Trailblazer design decision and interface circuit was carefully crafted to expose various aspects of embedding Linux. For example, I specifically chose the ARM and PowerPC architectures, in addition to the x86, to demonstrate cross-compiling, CPU register configuration, and the use of on-board controllers. I intentionally kept the hardware designs and device drivers as simple as possible, allowing you to focus on a particular topic. When you are finished reading the book, you will have a better understanding of how to use embedded Linux.
Here is my advice: buy the book and read about Project Trailblazer. Follow the engineers as they implement their design. Download the source code and try the examples. Incidentally, you don't actually need the target hardware for all the examples; that old 486 computer collecting dust in the garage, or even your desktop machine, will work just fine. Chapter 7, "Parallel Port Interfacing," and Chapter 11, "Using Interrupts for Timing," offer hands-on examples of PC interfacing and device driver development. Get a feel for embedded Linux. Is it right for your next project?
Linux brings reliability, features, open source code and a proven track record to the embedded world. Embedded Linux: Hardware, Software and Interfacing will help you get started.
About the author: Craig Hollabaugh has been fascinated by electronics since he bought an AM radio in elementary school. Hollabaugh's embedded projects have included a remotely monitored the gasoline additive injection process which earned him a U.S. patent. In 1995, he co-founded Wireless Scientific, where he developed a number of 900MHz spread-spectrum industrial telemetry products. In 1996, Wireless Scientific's Global Data Management project used Linux to remotely monitor and control additive tank levels.
Related stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed