New challenges in the embedded field of Linux operating systems

The embedded field of Linux operating systems is facing a new challenge-general Linux technology-Linux programming and kernel information. For more information, see the following. Compared with the popularity of servers and desktop systems, Linux seems to be always cool in the field of embedded systems. Is it a bad time, or is there something hidden?

In recent years, Linux has achieved great success in applications in desktop and server systems. Its existence has already posed great threats to traditional overlord in these fields, such as Microsoft's Windows and Sun's SunOS/Solaris operating systems. This is mainly because of its low overhead and higher application performance: Now, the Linux operating system and the high-end Pentium processor constitute a computer system that has far outputted the same price in terms of performance; another major reason for Linux's success is that it is an open-source system software. Linux users can enjoy the support provided by Linux enthusiasts around the world.

When the Linux system is widely used in the desktop and server fields, it is widely believed that Linux will be successfully integrated into the embedded system and become one of the mainstream operating systems. However, in reality, the situation is far from so optimistic. Developers who provide Linux operating system software for desktop and server systems are not keen to introduce Linux into the field of embedded systems. Other companies that have already opened up the market in the field of Embedded Linux, such as Lineo and MontaVista, have not yet achieved stable benefits. Why is Linux not able to achieve the same brilliant performance in the embedded field in desktop systems? The reason is that the requirements of the desktop and embedded systems for the operating system are different.

Desktop systems and embedded systems have many differences in operating system requirements, and they are all critical. We will first discuss several of the most important issues here. These issues are sufficient to reflect the challenges Linux systems face in the field of embedded systems. These challenges were not encountered in previous desktop system applications, including:

● Interrupt latency)

● Thread response time)

● Scheduling)

● Device Drivers

● Reliability and security

These are technical challenges. When introducing Linux systems into the embedded field, there are still many non-technical challenges that must be considered.