Linux and Embedded Systems

Linux and embedded systems-general Linux technology-Linux programming and kernel information. The following is a detailed description. 1. How far is the embedded computer system from us?

This kind of question may make professionals laugh, because the answer is: the embedded system has penetrated into every corner of people's daily life and is closely related to our lives!

The Senior Manager of Ford Inc., the American Automotive king, once declared that "Ford has sold more 'computing power' than IBM ". Obviously, this is not an exaggerated saying.

To better investigate this problem, let me reiterate the definition of Embedded Systems: A dedicated computer system centered on applications, based on computer technology, where software and hardware can be tailored to the functional, reliability, cost, volume, and power consumption requirements of the application system. For example, the distribution control system and factory assembly line from large to oil fields, and the VCD machines or mobile phones at home, the keyboard, mouse, soft drive, hard drive, display card, display card, Modem, Nic, sound card, and other components of general PC terminal equipment are all controlled by the embedded processor, the depth and breadth of the embedded system market can be seen from this. Even so, its market value may still exceed your imagination: Today, the annual industrial output of embedded systems has exceeded $1 trillion.

2. Out-of-the-box configuration early in the day-LINUX and Embedded Systems

A complete system, of course, includes both hardware and software. It seems that you must have a husband and a wife to form a complete family. Although the embedded system has a very broad market demand and development prospects, the development of embedded systems has experienced a personal computer (PC) A more tortuous and painful process. With the advent of micro-processors, low-cost, small-sized CPU and peripheral connections provide a stable and reliable hardware architecture, so the bottleneck restricting the development of embedded systems is highlighted in the software. Although some well-known embedded operating systems have emerged since the end of 1980s, such as Vxwork, pSOS, Neculeus, and Windowss CE, there are still a large number of embedded systems that discard operating systems, it only includes some control procedures. Of course, we can say that these control processes are sufficient when the embedded system is relatively simple. However, when embedded systems have complicated functions, that is to say, to provide better services, simple control logic is not enough. Undoubtedly, the content and quality of services are the source of value and the basis for survival for any product. We may wish to make an exaggerated and popular metaphor. Maybe we can hire a nanny to solve some of the worries of life, but a real family must have a wife. So what has caused a huge amount of gold in the field of embedded systems? Special talents have special requirements. Obviously, what we need is a slim, well-looking, healthy, intelligent, and kind kitchen, we don't even have to look at our payroll. That is to say, embedded systems require a set of highly concise, friendly interfaces, reliable quality, widely used, easy to develop, and multi-task, and low-cost operating systems.

People can find that the above requirement is simply to describe Linux. What's even more exciting is that, in addition to the above advantages, the excellent network lineage inherent in LINUX paves the way for future development. The network here is not just about the Internet, but about the advantages of LINUX in the Internet, we need to write a special article. Here we only remind you that another market that may be larger than the Internet is worth noting: home Network. Although tens of thousands of excellent software engineers are dedicated to making PC-based operating systems easier to use every second in the world, unfortunately, for some people of specific ages and social classes, there is still an insurmountable threshold to open the door to a wonderful online world. The fact is that the general classes and books on personal computers are still overwhelming in the society, but we have never heard of training on operating TVs or air conditioners. The combination of LINUX and embedded devices will undoubtedly Inject infinite impetus into the Smart Home and digital home appliance business. This is not an advanced concept. Many highly prospective enterprises have transitioned from the R & D stage to the production stage, launched a colorful embedded LINUX operating system PDA, camera, or more conceptual home appliances. For example, the world's smallest embedded operating system kernel, QUARK, and the world-famous Internet tiger International (XLinux), have been successfully cooperating with Intel, use the Quark on Intel's strongARM chip last year. People can enjoy surfing the Internet and listening to MP3 on this platform. As far as I know, LINUS is already using a cell phone to instruct her to prepare coffee for herself on the way home.

3. What is correct and advanced?

The vast majority of IT enterprises regard maintaining the advanced nature as a major event of survival. However, a reality that needs to be paid attention to in the industry is that there is no limit to the Internet, and there are many excellent products that are skillfully combined with technologies and creativity, all of which are like pearls in the sea, it is very difficult to get the attention and exploration they deserve. They will be wiped out in the vast sea before they can bring out their own attractive light. Advanced is a concept that requires comparison and evaluation. If there is no comparison or evaluation, how come we are advanced? The right and advanced aspects should be foresight. We can use others' rest time to find a way out, and then return to everyone to guide everyone forward together. If a person goes too far alone and is too "advanced, in the end, you may lose your way. Another difficulty is: to maintain the advanced state without a pause, whether for individual or a group, it is an extremely difficult task, or even impossible, although the desire is beautiful, for example, the idea of permanent motivation. Compared with other operating systems, LINUX provides a spontaneous game rule to find a way out: it sacrifices the privilege of an individual or team to maintain the monopoly's advanced nature, thus ensuring the eternal advancement of this undertaking. Li qishen, general manager of nethu International, once made a good comment for Linux-"This is a human-friendly technology ."

Iv. operability of LINUX Embedded Systems.

In fact, we can get developed products or detailed solutions on websites of many companies or individuals for free. It is also impeccable in terms of stability and efficiency, and may even make other operating systems such as NT feel self-satisfied-some research on servers has pointed out: linux + Samba has a performance of as much as 250% of NT. Therefore, discussing how to develop a LINUX embedded system is obviously outdated. Among all the news about the latest developments, I think the most striking and exciting is the R & D achievement of nethu International-the GCS character set. Previous articles predicted that the goal of Multi-Mandarin system support was most likely achieved in LINUX. Soon after, predictions turned into reality. The XLinux1.0 version developed by nethu International using GCS Technology announced that it could support all humans. Oh, no, or even alien languages? If the message is reliable, it will build a solid platform for global cooperation. On the basis of applying the GCS Technology of wanghu, appliance manufacturers can sell their products around the world without hindrance. I remember reading a Bible story that mentioned that in ancient times, people used the same language. In order to demonstrate the greatness of human power, they decided to build a tower and start to put it into action. The construction of this project made God feel uneasy. As a result, people's language was disrupted, so that people could not communicate well, resulting in a miscarriage of the things Tower Project. With the development of GCS, I think it is one of the technical achievements most in line with human nature. Does this mean that a LINUX-based tongtian tower will be created? Please let us continue to share our concerns.

5. Professional work should be handed over to professionals.

The emergence of LINUX operating systems will better reflect the principle of professional market segments. This includes at least several meanings. First of all, embedded computing devices will become more powerful and easy to use when introducing operating systems to the public, however, it has changed the past situation that "you can use the devices I provide to do a lot of work, provided that you must be as professional as I do. In fact, not everyone except professionals needs powerful computing devices. For example, the outstanding function of the network is to provide interactive functions, but there are still many people who choose TV or other traditional media, because people do not want to "CREATE" in every field at all times ", in more cases, it is just a simple "request". We may choose to trust and rely on the information provided to us by a selected professional group, this requirement is the market requirement. Therefore, it is more valuable to improve the additional computing functions of the original equipment than to provide additional use functions of professional computing equipment. Let those complicated operations be handed over to the manufacturer. What users need more is to enjoy the benefits. Then, for the manufacturer, we can focus more on improving the design according to the customer's needs. As for the corresponding software, we can rest assured that professional software developers can meet the design requirements of the vendor. At COMMDEX in April 17 this year, Li qishen, general manager of Wanghu International, gave a keynote speech on the cooperation between open source and commercial companies. He believes: "On the one hand, the cost of software development, both hardware (skipping the ICE barrier) and software (purchasing authorization) have been minimized, reducing developers' concerns about development costs. At the same time, because it is an open source, vendors can easily have a development team covering the world, thus ensuring the high efficiency and reliability of software quality. Third, software developers will get more professional development tools at a lower cost. For example, someone may be willing to release a Linux Graphics Workstation without having to attach it to an operating system as before. Finally, if you are interested, everyone can get involved in any of the above steps, which is easier than you think. As long as you have the need and creativity, you only need to complete the small part that you are interested in. The rest can be done by other professionals. This is open source! That is to say, you may just make a unique tire, but you get the whole car !"

So I can't think of anything, except our own imagination, that will limit the development of LINUX in the embedded field?