Wind River, Red Hat team for embedded Linux

Linux has: started becoming a mature OS, especially with the release of the 2.6 kernel. It has come closer to a more mature UNIX system. The new premptive kernel and closer adherence or convergence to the latest IEEE POSIX, ISO standards will make it a very robust platform to develop embedded apps on.

Initially the vanilla Linux showed poor premption and reaction time results. However, there have been many successful attempts to render the Linux kernel capable for embedded and RT work. It is true though that the unpatched 2.4 kernel lacks in meany respects especially compared to a mature full-preemptive UNIX kernel (IRIX, Solaris, etc.)

But it is getting there. As long as the kernel becomes more and more capable to respond in bounded times, put priority invesion under control and with a cleanup of the SIGnal Pthreads mechanism, the Linux advantages are many. One of the most importand is that of portability and free tools. But nothing is free and serious work needs to be invested on it.

It is 'funny' that people are talking about MS entering the embedded arena (nore like breaking and entering). I wouldn't trust support my micro-wave oven on winCE or embedded-NT, let alone life or mission critical systems.

I recall the infamous BMW and the US Navy ship incidences. Or imagine fly-by-wire on CE. Give me a parahutte first.

-m
-m; Posted by: michael-t Posted on: 02/23/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use