EDN magazine's technical editor Warren Webb has written about technological and marketplace advances that are propelling Linux into prominence in the embedded and real-time computing markets. Webb's article discusses single- and dual-kernel real-time Linux, new embedded capabilities in Linux 2.6, and industry uptake among both RTOS and embedded hardware vendors.

Webb begins with a discussion of MontaVista's preemptible kernel patch, and the low-latency scheduler, which he says make Linux usable for many projects with strict timing requirements, at the price of using what amounts to a kernel that is “nonstandard” and requires “unique support.”

Webb next discusses the dual-kernel real-time approach taken by FSMLabs and RTAI. This brings better real-time performance, but requires real-time tasks to run in kernel space, defeating the “normal Linux-process-data isolation and -protection,” he writes.

Webb next looks at the real-time capabilities of the mainstream Linux kernel, which with the 2.6 release gained many capabilities, among them the integration of parts of uClinux, a low-memory footprint option for devices without user interfaces, the ability to disable virtual memory, an improved task scheduler, numerous pre-emption points, and improved device drivers, especially for USB 2.0, Bluetooth, and sound cards. Technical advances aside, some embedded developers remain uncomfortable with both “GPL contamination” and the possible insecurity of mainstream Linux's open development model, Webb suggests.

Webb says Linux's growing real-time, embedded capabilities have led to its increasing deployment alongside proprietary RTOSes. Growing Linux deployments have led companies in the traditional embedded, real-time market, including LynuxWorks, Wind River, and Enea — to assimilate Linux into their product and service strategies. Linux's popularity has also created opportunity for pure-play Linux vendors such as TimeSys to market development tools, often based on the Eclipse platform, Webb writes.

Traditional embedded and real-time hardware companies have also lined up behind Linux, Webb says, often partnering with Linux providers to pre-install the OS on their products. Consumer electronic companies, another major force in the embedded market, have gotten behind Linux with CELF, an industry group devoted to improving Linux's real-time capabilities.

Webb concludes: “A range of successful and embedded commercial products are using Linux, and it is gaining traction in the real-time-system market. With a new kernel that emphasizes timing improvements and an enthusiastic development community, Linux will unquestionably appeal to a growing portion of the real-time-system market.”

The complete text of Webb's article is available online.

 
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