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So you want to build an embedded Linux system?

jaycarlson.net

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Re: So you want to build an embedded Linux system?

#21

Post by jpm_sd »

karmicthreat wrote: post #18

I have been doing embedded for a number of years. I'm the only fulltime SWE at my company and it just gets exhausting managing 5 different products on completely different code bases/technologies. Plus a web portal that does device management and reporting. So a big thing people should consider when building something to scratch. Am I making something I can use again when I make my next product. Its a much higher men…

Sounds like a nightmare.

At a casual glance it looks like your products are mostly [processor] connected to a network of CAN and/or 4-20mA devices. Not possible to back-port newer control modules to older product lines?

That said, impressive that you are handling all of it on your own. Hire somebody!

Re: So you want to build an embedded Linux system?

#22

Post by bryanlarsen »

jnwatson wrote: post #12
bryanlarsen wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are lots of embedded systems beefy enough that Fedora is an appropriate choice.

Not really. Fedora IoT only supports x86_64, aarch64, and armhfp, which has some intersection with this space, but not a lot. Regardless, that wasn't really the point of the article.

There is lots of embedded that uses x86 or arm. Lots of embedded isn't significantly power or size constrained and volumes are very low so software development costs dominate over hardware costs.

But agreed, those aren't the point of the article.

"Embedded" is a big space.

Re: So you want to build an embedded Linux system?

#24

Post by jpm_sd »

Great article.

He sings the praises of Linux memory management and virtual memory, which are unavailable on a microcontroller. Would be interested in comments on the downsides of swapping in a system with a small amount of onboard Flash that may wear out.

Re: So you want to build an embedded Linux system?

#25

Post by hak8or »

This is an absurdly impressive writeup, and it's great that it shows that there are SIP's out there for such low pricing (sub $5 for a ic whuch includes a decent few MB of dram is great, albeit single core).

Many years back, I also did a writeup (much less intense) that goes more so into what it took for me to get Linux running on an IMX6 based Soc on the software end, including how I found a bug in the USB clock tree in the kernel for the IMX6, how I debugged it, and how I mainlined it (my first and only kernel commit to mainline). https://brainyv2.hak8or.com/

Such projects are increadibly satisfying to work on, it makes you feel much more competent when working with embedded systems. There is much less "black magic" going on.

Re: So you want to build an embedded Linux system?

#26

Post by seppel »

jpm_sd wrote: post #24

Great article. He sings the praises of Linux memory management and virtual memory, which are unavailable on a microcontroller. Would be interested in comments on the downsides of swapping in a system with a small amount of onboard Flash that may wear out.

Why would you enable swap?

Re: So you want to build an embedded Linux system?

#27

Post by Const-me »

If you want Wi-Fi, FCC certification is hard and expensive. For an off-the-shelf SBC you don’t have to, only need to place a sticker with FCC ID of the SBC.

When embedding an SBC, you can fork the firmware from whatever Debian/Android/etc. variant is best supported by that SBC. Stripping down working and well tested Linux image is much easier than building a new OS image from scratch.

Re: So you want to build an embedded Linux system?

#30

Post by jtuente »

cushychicken wrote: post #4

Jay also did a great rundown of $1 microcontrollers a few years ago: https://jaycarlson.net/microcontrollers/ This embedded Linux article is a really worthy followup!

Previous discussions on that:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15633785

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19851744

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24426882

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