Linux for Embedded and Real-time Applications (Embedded Technology)

The Application Framework provides many higher-level services to applications in the form of Java classes. This will vary in its facilities from one implementation to another. A key Android capability is the sharing of functionality. Every application can export functionality for use by other applications in the system, thus promoting straightforward software re-use and a consistent user experience.

At the top of the Android software stack are applications. A number are supplied as standard. As I mentioned, each application may also expose some of its functionality for use by others. For example, the message sending capability of the SMS application can be used by another application to send text messages. Although there are other options, Android applications are commonly implemented in Java utilizing the Dalvik VM.

This is efficient, accommodates interoperability and results in application portability. The standard Android development environment from Google is, as you might expect, Eclipse based, using a plug-in to provide the necessary facilities. You need to define your target configuration by specifying an Android Virtual Device. You can then execute code on either the host-based emulator or a real device, which is normally connected via USB.

This environment only supports Android development on ARM-based target devices. An Android application consists of a number of resources which are bundled into an archive — an Android package.

• Scrivere per Viaggiare (Italian Edition).
• Your Naughty Playmate 2 - Succubus Fantasy.
• There was a problem providing the content you requested.

Programs are generally written in Java, built using the standard Java tools, and then the output file is processed to generate specific code for the Dalvik VM. Each application runs in its own Linux process — an instantiation of the Dalvik VM — which protects its code and data from other applications.

Of course, there are mechanisms for applications to transfer, exchange and share data. An application is a set of components which are instantiated and run as required. There is not really an entry point or main function. There are four types of application component: When you develop an Android application, you need to describe it to the system and this is achieved by means of a manifest file. This outline example of a manifest file includes the definition of a single activity called MyActivity:.

When an Android application wishes to obtain some functionality from another application or from the system, it can issue an Intent. This is an asynchronous message which is used to activate an activity, service or broadcast receiver.

For an activity or service, the specific action and location of data is included. Although an intent may include the specific activity required, it can be more generalized and the request resolved by the system. This mechanism is governed by Intent Filters. These filters specify what kind of intents the activities and services of an application can handle.

They are described in the manifest file, thus:. Until very recently, Android deployment has been very focused on mobile handsets. The potential for Android is enormous in other market areas — anywhere that sophisticated software, including connectivity and a user interface, encapsulates the functionality of a device. Consumer, telecom, automotive, medical and home applications are all attractive candidates for the deployment of Android.

However, there are challenges in moving away from mobile phones. Having a cool solution is great, but it is not useful unless it solves a real world problem.

The challenge with electronic devices going forward is connectivity and interoperability. Android is well placed to address these issues. The Mentor Graphics approach to enabling Android to reach a wider market is to bring three key attributes to bear on the issue: The goal is to take Android and create specific editions, tailored to various markets. Underpinning the Embedded Alley approach is a clear commitment to focus on the needs of the customer, enabling them to leverage open software to address their specific requirements.

As was mentioned previously, Android has been very successfully deployed in the mobile handset market. To expand into other markets, investment is required in order to port Android to other CPUs and provide drivers etc. This is where Mentor Graphics comes in.

Navigation menu

Going forward, an increasing number of embedded systems are being constructed using multiple CPUs — multiple chips on a board or multiple cores on a chip. This brings with it the opportunity to use multiple operating systems on a device. Considering two different operating systems: Nucleus and Linux or Android each have useful characteristics for numerous embedded applications.

Nucleus shines when the application has a hard real time requirement. It is also very beneficial when any kind of certification is required. Not only does Nucleus have a long history of successful certifications, but the modest code size enables the cost of such a procedure to be minimized.

Linux and Android provide a very rich and productive application programming environment and the vast array of middleware, protocols and device drivers can be compelling. By using both operating systems, on separate cores or chips in a system, you really get the best of both worlds. Much work is involved in the development of a multi-core, multi-OS device. Perhaps there are a couple of cores running Nucleus providing hard real time functionality to the device. There is probably a need for some middleware in addition to the kernel, but Nucleus is well equipped in this respect.

Maybe another pair of cores are running Linux or Android and employ Inflexion to implement a rich user interface. Of course, the application code resides on top of the two operating systems. To implement all of this and get it working needs extensive tool support for debugging, real time profiling, simulation, target device connection and so forth.

To bring all that together and facilitate reliable time to market, professional services with expertise in embedded tools, Nucleus OS and Linux and Android, complete the picture. Android is a disruptive technology, which was introduced initially on mobile handsets, but has much wider potential. There are challenges in the application of Android to other types of device. With the Development System for Android-based Devices and all fullrange of professional services, Mentor Graphics is well placed to support developers using Android and Linux for a wide range of embedded applications.

Going forward, the use of multiple CPUs will become more and more common and the application of multiple operating systems is inevitable.

1. Android, Linux and Real-Time Development for Embedded Systems!
2. SUCCESS: Another Jim Walker Novel (JIm Aalker series).
3. Flings & Affairs: Book Eight.
4. Raiders March?
5. Die Mitwirkungsrechte des Deutschen Bundestages in Angelenheiten der Europäischen Union hinsichtlich der Übertragung nationaler Kompetenzen auf EU-Organe (German Edition).
6. .

No portion of this site may be copied, retransmitted, reposted, duplicated or otherwise used without the express written permission of Design And Reuse. SemiWiki - Daniel Nenni. Introduction What is Android? Android History Although Android is quite new technology, it does have a history. Android Architecture An Android system is a stack of software components. Application Development Development Environment The standard Android development environment from Google is, as you might expect, Eclipse based, using a plug-in to provide the necessary facilities.

Thanks to their versatility , operating systems based on the Linux kernel can be also found in mobile devices that are actually touchscreen -based embedded devices, such as smartphones and tablets , together with personal digital assistants PDAs and portable media players that also include a touchscreen. Linux is also used as an alternative to using a proprietary operating system and its associated toolchain.

Linux on embedded systems

The Embeddable Linux Kernel Subset is a Linux distribution that fits on a floppy disk for outdated or low resource hardware. Due to its low cost freely available source code and ease of customization, Linux has been shipped in many consumer devices. Android , a Linux-kernel-based operating system acquired and extended by Google and introduced in , has become a highly competitive platform for smartphones and tablets. With the availability of consumer embedded devices, communities of users and developers were formed around these devices: The advantages of embedded Linux over proprietary embedded operating systems include multiple suppliers for software, development and support; no royalties or licensing fees; a stable kernel; the ability to read, modify and redistribute the source code.

The technical disadvantages include a comparatively large memory footprint kernel and root filesystem ; complexities of user mode and kernel mode memory access, and a complex device drivers framework. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Archived from the original PDF on Android tops 52 percent of US smartphone share, iPhone cracks the 33 percent mark". General comparison Distributions list Netbook-specific comparison Distributions that run from RAM Lightweight Security-focused operating system Proprietary software for Linux Package manager Package format List of software package managers.