Linux: Embedded Development

Leverage the power of Linux to develop captivating and powerful embedded Linux projects

About This Book

• Explore the best practices for all embedded product development stages
• Learn about the compelling features offered by the Yocto Project, such as customization, virtualization, and many more
• Minimize project costs by using open source tools and programs

Who 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 Learn

• Use the Yocto Project in the embedded Linux development process
• Get familiar with and customize the bootloader for a board
• Discover more about real-time layer, security, virtualization, CGL, and LSB
• See development workflows for the U-Boot and the Linux kernel, including debugging and optimization
• Understand the open source licensing requirements and how to comply with them when cohabiting with proprietary programs
• Optimize your production systems by reducing the size of both the Linux kernel and root filesystems
• Understand device trees and make changes to accommodate new hardware on your device
• Design and write multi-threaded applications using POSIX threads
• Measure real-time latencies and tune the Linux kernel to minimize them

In 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 Vaduva
• Embedded Linux Projects Using Yocto Project Cookbook by Alex Gonzalez
• Mastering Embedded Linux Programming by Chris Simmonds

Style 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.

Table of Contents

1. Module 1
1. Introduction
2. Cross-compiling
3. Bootloaders
4. Linux Kernel
5. The Linux Root Filesystem
6. Components of the Yocto Project
7. ADT Eclipse Plug-ins
8. Hob, Toaster, and Autobuilder
9. Wic and Other Tools
10. Real-time
11. Security
12. Virtualization
13. CGL and LSB

2. Module 2
1. The Build System
2. The BSP Layer
3. The Software Layer
4. Application Development
5. Debugging, Tracing, and Profiling

3. Module 3
1. Starting Out
2. Learning About Toolchains
3. All About Bootloaders
4. Porting and Configuring the Kernel
5. Building a Root Filesystem
6. Selecting a Build System
7. Creating a Storage Strategy
8. Introducing Device Drivers
9. Starting up – the init Program
10. Learning About Processes and Threads
11. Managing Memory
12. Debugging with GDB
13. Profiling and Tracing
14. Real-time Programming