Dallas, TX — (press release) — QSLinux, targeted for PowerPC based embedded systems, received a boost in performance and flexibility. The latest release adds provisions for configuring the operational clock speed of the target processor.

The new release was tested on the QS850 module, sporting an XPC850SRZT80B processor. “These new processors operate at up to 80 megahertz,” said Daris Nevil, President of SNMC. “The new processor gave us an excuse to extend the kernel's configuration options to include processor speed selection.”

QSLinux is unique among embedded Linux distributions in that it provides a complete bootstrap program. This bootstrap program is responsible for decompressing the kernel, reading the configuration file, and configuring essential hardware elements before passing control to the kernel entry point. The latest version of the kernel can support clock rates from 16Mhz up to 80MHz. The bootstrap program automatically adjusts baud rate divisors, SDRAM operation, and other clock related dependencies to account for the difference in speed.

The current version of QSLinux is targeted specifically to the MPC850. A future release, based on the new 2.4 version of the Linux kernel, will include support for the complete line of Motorola PowerPC based embedded processors.

The source code and documentation for QSLinux are available via ftp, here. Online documentation for QSLinux can be accessed at the QSLinux website, at qslinux.org.

 
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