uCLinux: An Overview

So what is the real advantage of embedded Linux and why would the end user and the developer really care? Up until recently, this was left mainly to speculation. Thanks to the article below however, it looks like some of the key benefits can finally have some light shed in that direction.

I got to know about this Linux kernel when I was talking to one of my friends who’s doing internship at Analog Devices, Bangalore and trying to do something with this kernel and blackfin processor. In the past few years, Linux has become an increasingly popular operating system choice in the embedded devices development sector - especially with consumer products, telecommunications routers and switches, Internet appliances, and industrial and automotive applications.

The advantage of embedded Linux is that it’s a royalty-free, open source, compact solution that provides a strong foundation for an ever-growing base of applications to run on. Linux is a fully functional operating system, with support for a variety of file-handling protocols, network protocols, devices - a very important requirement in embedded systems because of the need to “compute anywhere, anytime.” It is modular in nature and is easy to slim down by removing utility programs, tools, and other system services that are not needed in an embedded environment.

uClinux, pronounced “you-see-Linux,” stands for Microcontroller Linux. It’s a Linux kernel fork for microcontrollers (uCs, embedded systems) and doesn’t have a memory management unit (MMU). Originally derived from version 2.0 (1996) of the Linux kernel, it now has ports based on Linux 2.4 and Linux 2.6. Since version 2.6, the major parts of uClinux have been integrated with the mainline kernel for a number of processor architectures. The project continues to develop patches and supporting tools for using Linux on microcontrollers. uClinux has support for many architectures, and forms the basis of many products from network routers to security cameras and DVD to MP3 players. Source: OSWeekly

[tags]switches,uclinux,analog devices,bangalore,file-handling protocols,internet appliances[/tags]