Linux: Embedded Development

Alexandru Vaduva · Alex Gonzalez · Chris Simmonds

Sep 2016 · Packt Publishing Ltd

About this ebook

Leverage the power of Linux to develop captivating and powerful embedded Linux projectsAbout This BookExplore the best practices for all embedded product development stagesLearn about the compelling features offered by the Yocto Project, such as customization, virtualization, and many moreMinimize project costs by using open source tools and programsWho This Book Is For

If you are a developer who wants to build embedded systems using Linux, this book is for you. It is the ideal guide for you if you want to become proficient and broaden your knowledge. A basic understanding of C programming and experience with systems programming is needed. Experienced embedded Yocto developers will find new insight into working methodologies and ARM specific development competence.

What You Will LearnUse the Yocto Project in the embedded Linux development processGet familiar with and customize the bootloader for a boardDiscover more about real-time layer, security, virtualization, CGL, and LSBSee development workflows for the U-Boot and the Linux kernel, including debugging and optimizationUnderstand the open source licensing requirements and how to comply with them when cohabiting with proprietary programsOptimize your production systems by reducing the size of both the Linux kernel and root filesystemsUnderstand device trees and make changes to accommodate new hardware on your deviceDesign and write multi-threaded applications using POSIX threadsMeasure real-time latencies and tune the Linux kernel to minimize themIn Detail

Embedded Linux is a complete Linux distribution employed to operate embedded devices such as smartphones, tablets, PDAs, set-top boxes, and many more. An example of an embedded Linux distribution is Android, developed by Google.

This learning path starts with the module Learning Embedded Linux Using the Yocto Project. It introduces embedded Linux software and hardware architecture and presents information about the bootloader. You will go through Linux kernel features and source code and get an overview of the Yocto Project components available.

The next module Embedded Linux Projects Using Yocto Project Cookbook takes you through the installation of a professional embedded Yocto setup, then advises you on best practices. Finally, it explains how to quickly get hands-on with the Freescale ARM ecosystem and community layer using the affordable and open source Wandboard embedded board.

Moving ahead, the final module Mastering Embedded Linux Programming takes you through the product cycle and gives you an in-depth description of the components and options that are available at each stage. You will see how functions are split between processes and the usage of POSIX threads.

By the end of this learning path, your capabilities will be enhanced to create robust and versatile embedded projects.

This Learning Path combines some of the best that Packt has to offer in one complete, curated package. It includes content from the following Packt products:

Learning Embedded Linux Using the Yocto Project by Alexandru VaduvaEmbedded Linux Projects Using Yocto Project Cookbook by Alex GonzalezMastering Embedded Linux Programming by Chris SimmondsStyle and approach

This comprehensive, step-by-step, pragmatic guide enables you to build custom versions of Linux for new embedded systems with examples that are immediately applicable to your embedded developments. Practical examples provide an easy-to-follow way to learn Yocto project development using the best practices and working methodologies. Coupled with hints and best practices, this will help you understand embedded Linux better.

About the author

Alexandru Vaduva is an embedded Linux software engineer whose main focus lies in the field of open source software. He has an inquiring mind and also believes that actions speak louder than words. He is a strong supporter of the idea that there is no need to reinvent the wheel, but there is always room for improvement. He has knowledge of C, Yocto, Linux, Bash, and Python, but he is also open to trying new things and testing new technologies. Alexandru was a reviewer on Embedded Linux Development with Yocto Project, Packt Publishing, which is a great asset to the Yocto Project community.

Alex Gonzalez is software engineering supervisor at Digi International and one of the maintainers of the Digi Embedded Yocto distribution. He started working professionally with embedded systems in 1999 and the Linux kernel in 2004, designing products for voice and video over IP networks, and followed his interests into machine-to-machine (M2M) technologies and the Internet of Things. Born and raised in Bilbao, Spain, Alex has his second home in the UK, where he lived for over 10 years and received his MSc in communication systems from the University of Portsmouth. He currently lives in La Rioja, where he enjoys photography and a good Riojan wine.

Chris Simmonds is a software consultant and trainer who lives in southern England. He has used Linux in embedded systems since the late 1990s, during which time he has worked on many interesting projects, including a stereoscopic camera, intelligent weighing scales, various set-top boxes and home routers, and even a large walking robot. He is a frequent presenter at open source and embedded conferences, including the Embedded Linux Conference, Embedded World, and the Android Builders' Summit. He has been conducting training courses and workshops in embedded Linux since 2002 and in embedded Android since 2010. He has delivered hundreds of sessions to many well-known companies. You can see some of his work on the "Inner Penguin" blog at www.2net.co.uk.