Embedded Linux and Android Solutions
The use of embedded Linux has revolutionised the embedded systems software market giving developers easy access to a range of processor architectures, device drivers and middleware technologies all available without license cost through open source license agreements.
One of the key advantages that Linux offers, relative to traditional proprietary embedded software solutions, is the range of supported hardware, protocols and other technologies which translate into significant savings in the total cost of ownership and a quicker time to market.
Yocto and OpenEmbedded
The Yocto Project is an open source collaboration project that helps develeopers create custom Linux-based systems regardless of the hardware architecure. The Yocto Project comprises three key components:
- A set of integrated tools, including BitBake, for building the custom Linux distribution for your platform.
- Poky – a reference embedded distribution.
- The OpenEmbedded build system which is co-maintained with the OpenEmbedded Project
SDC Systems have worked with Bitbake, OpenEmbedded and Yocto Project technologies for over 10 years successfully porting embedded Linux to x86 and ARM processor platforms. SDC Systems are experienced in creating individual recipes to add new features, complete meta-layers for your custom platform or complete, deployable images.
Timesys Factory
SDC Systems have also partnered with Timesys to offer their Security Vulnerability Management and Factory Linux build system to the UK market. Timesys Factory has been used worldwide in more than 1,000 projects, and has proven to reduce the time, cost and risk associated with building commercial quality products using open source Linux.
SDC Systems have successfully deployed embedded Linux images created using Timesys’ Factory into the mil-aero, smart meter and communications industries.
Vigiles is the new Security Vulnerability Management solution from Timesys that will monitor and detect security vulnerabilities within the Linux kernel and BSP. SDC Systems are able to integrate Vigiles into a pre-existing Yocto, Factory or Buildroot build system.
SDC Systems also provide a Security Vulnerability Remediation Service that uses the vulnerability data from a Vigiles analysis and applies the necessary patches and fixes available from Timesys and the wider open source community.
Boot time optimisation
One of the tasks common to all device development is to reduce the time taken from applying power to the system being ready for operation. This has typically been a manual process starting with the removal of redundant or unused features and then optimising what remains.
This iterative process eventually gets to a point where the fractions of a second being saved from the boot time no longer justifies the days or weeks of effort required to achieve them.
With Ubiquitous QuickBoot from Tuxera, manufacturers using Linux or Android based systems can develop automotive In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems, mobile devices, digital home electronics and much more that can be instantly launched from zero standby power.
This is accomplished by preferentially restoring the memory areas necessary for booting the system.
This technology helps device manufacturers produce unforgettable user experiences and distinguish themselves from the competition.
Android™
Android is a mobile operating system, developed by Google, based on the Linux kernel designed for touchscreen enabled devices such as smartphones and tablets.
As automotive, consumer, medical and industrial devices have evolved, driven in part by the “iPhone user interface effect”, to incorporate touchscreens and network connectivity the use of Android in these applications is more common.
SDC Systems have been able to take their expert knowledge in the fundamentals of the Linux operating system and been able to use them to customise Android for embedded applications.
Whilst the most common configurations of Android are for platforms using an ARM processor core we are also able to work with the Android-on-x86 platform.
Find out more…
For more information on how SDC Systems can help integrate embedded Linux into your next project please complete the form below.
The Android robot is reproduced or modified from work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.
Yocto Project and all related marks and logos are trademarks of The Linux Foundation. This website is not, in any way, endorsed by the Yocto Project or The Linux Foundation.
Tux image by gg3po, Iwan Gabovitch – Tux Flat SVG, based on File:NewTux.svg by gg3po which is based on File:Tux.png by Larry Ewing, GPL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48629023