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Introduction

Launching Linux at the embedded

The modern world runs on computers and technology. Every corner you turn, every road you
travel, computers are helping you get there. Embedded systems are the fuel in these computers
and the lifeblood of modern-day electronics. So what is an embedded system? An embedded
system is a combination of computer hardware and software, and perhaps additional mechanical
or other parts, designed to perform a dedicated function. In some cases, embedded systems are
part of a larger system or product, as is the case of the joystick control system in the B2 Stealth
Bomber.
Embedded systems come in different sizes and packages. There are systems that can fit on a
dime and systems that won’t fit in your closet. Each system has available to it a wide variety of
computing power and a large diversity of functionality. These systems allow the technologically
inclined the ability to control and perform repetitive tasks with more reliability and accuracy than
any other methods previously used.
So how are these systems created? Engineers and firmware experts develop embedded systems.
These specialists write thousands of lines of instructions and program these systems with the
instructions using various software packages. These instructions can be written in C, assembler
or any other variety of programming language. These languages are available under Linux,
Windows and many other operating systems. When these systems are programmed, the
instructions become embedded in the memory of the system, thus the embedded system is
created.
Now the question is how can the designer program these systems in a way that is easy for the
end user to operate and inexpensive for the designer to produce. The simple solution is to
embed Linux.
Linux provides dependability, flexibility and scalability. Linux is a proven dependable architec-
ture that several companies have grown to use and excel with. Linux’s flexibility is proven in its
ability to support a huge number of microprocessors, hardware devices, graphics devices and
applications. Finally, the scalability of Linux is beneficial because it spans a wide range of
computing functions. For example, mini web servers all the way up to large mainframe computing
systems use Linux or Unix based structure.
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