Plat'C2 (Plat Communication Components Inc. — Tokyo, Japan) introduced a tiny PowerPC-based Linux “micro-server” at the recent NAB2003 show in Las Vegas, NV. The OpenBockS comes with two 10/100Mbps Ethernet ports, and is said to be useable “off-the-shelf” as a fully functional firewall/router, mail server, or web server. (more…)

Sony Japan has announced a new Linux-powered audio-visual router that combines the functions of a “traditional” gateway/router with those of a home multimedia server and Wi-Fi (802.11b) wireless access point. (more…)

Smart Robots Inc. (Dalton, MA) demonstrated a new Linux-powered autonomous mobile robot platform at the 10th annual Trinity College Fire-Fighting Robot Contest held in Hartford, CT this past April. The SR4 can travel at a speed of approximately 1.5 ft/sec — which may not sound fast, but at that speed it can traverse a distance… (more…)

We last reviewed the availability of freely downloadable embedded Linux distributions (distros) over a year ago. In this update article we show that much is still available — some which is quite up-to-date, and some which is not. (more…)

Eason Technology recently introduced a family of Linux-based “intelligent operator interfaces” that are used in industrial automation applications requiring operator input and prompting, process monitoring, and connection to other control and process equipment. The Eason 5000 HMI (human-machine interfaces) family currently includes… (more…)

Foreword

Last December, LinuxDevices.com published an article that I wrote about a high-res network camera I designed that is based on a reconfigurable FPGA and is running Linux. About a third of the inquiries I received subsequent to that article were specifically related to the “open” (in the sense of… (more…)

Considering its current prominence in the embedded world, it is surprising how few books on the subject of embedded Linux are available. I reviewed Craig Hollabaugh's Embedded Linux: Hardware, Software, and Interfacing and… (more…)

Recently I have been looking for an MP3 player that would satisfy several criteria. One, be usable with Linux and second, be usable with Old Time Radio shows. I am a big fan of what is called Old Time Radio here in the USA. This is radio shows from the 1930's, 40's, and 50's. One can buy a CD-R full of shows all in MP3 format. (more…)

Overview

It is well known that Intel leads the industry in wireless sensor network research. What may not be quite as well known is Intel's recent work in mobile robotics. In particular, Intel is helping researchers create small, sophisticated mobile robots that can act as gateways into wireless sensor networks. (more…)

The Philips iPronto may well be a gadget-lover's dream come true. Ever glance around the family room in bewilderment at the number and diversity of remote controls required to make your entertainment systems go? If so, you might think you know why Philips created this brainy new remote. (more…)

Foreword: In this whitepaper, RTLinux originator Victor Yodaiken gives an overview of synchronization methods for real-time, with special attention to the RTCore (RTLinux) real-time operating system. A glossary, included at the end, provides some useful tutorial material. (more…)

Eventide recently announced what is claimed to be the first digital voice logging recorder and archiving system to be based on a Linux software platform. The VR778, Eventide's 4th-generation digital logger, is intended for mission-critical environments including public health, safety, and security applications. (more…)

A new Linux powered media exchange server from Zultys Technologies (Sunnyvale, CA) combines the functions of a traditional enterprise telephone PBX (private branch exchange) along with those of an Internet gateway, switch, and router — all within a single 2U 19-inch rackmount form-factor. (more…)

Inventel (Paris, France) has recently introduced several Linux-based gateway, router, and access point products for the SOHO (small office / home office) and consumer markets, including the DW-B-200 wireless access point and the DVW-250 residential gateway for voice and data communications. (more…)

The following is a brief introduction and overview to Nicholas McGuire's technical paper on using the Linux proc filesystem in embedded systems. A link from which you can download the complete 18-page paper (PDF file) is available at the bottom . . . (more…)