This detailed, informative whitepaper discusses factors for success in using Linux as an embedded OS. Topics covered include hardware selection, distribution selection, Linux vs. traditional software development methodologies, RTOS-to-Linux migration, embedded Linux development tools, Linux's “real-time” prowess, POSIX.4 and threads, support, testing, the GPL, and more.

The author, veteran embedded systems design consultant James Chapman, offers many practical suggestions, such as choosing hardware that is well-supported under Linux by looking in the linux source tree (in arch/platforms) and on the kernel mailing list for patches that enable standard Linux kernel distributions to support specific boards. “These will almost always indicate that the Linux support for such boards is good because the hardware vendor has spent the effort to submit kernel patches to the Linux community, and worked to incorporate feedback from reviewers,” he writes.

Chapman also points out some common Linux pitfalls, most of which seem to do with taking too RTOS-like an approach, for example by treating Linux's POSIX.4 API as if it were an RTOS API.

The article is rich in experience and practical advice, and well worth reading for embedded Linux developers at all experience levels.

 
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