Embedded Linux: A Beginner’s Guide
If you’re getting started with building your own electronic product, you must know about embedded Linux.
Today, we will briefly talk about embedded systems and why you should consider using Linux for your beginner projects.
What is an Embedded System?
An embedded system is a computer that serves a dedicated purpose involving computation for real-time operations. Embedded systems are all around us in consumer, industrial, telecommunication and even medical applications.
Embedded systems can have varying degrees of complexity, ranging from a simple thermometer to modern smartphones. Today, the demand for capable embedded systems are on the rise as modern applications such as machine learning make their way into consumer devices.
What is Embedded Linux used for?
Embedded Linux is a type of Linux kernel that is specially designed for embedded devices. For example, the popular smartphone operating system, Android, is a type of embedded Linux customised for smartphones.
In simple terms, a kernel is the core of an operating system that manages the operations of the computer and its hardware, especially the memory and CPU. In other words, the kernel is the interface between software and hardware.
For more details on the Linux architecture, George Hilliard offers a great breakdown and introduction.
Why Embedded Linux?
If you are trying to create your own project, developing a kernel from scratch for your hardware is an incredibly challenging process, since it requires deep knowledge of both hardware and code.
You may also have heard of bare-metal tasking kernels (without an operating system) for microcontrollers, such as FreeRTOS, Azure RTOS, RT-Thread, μC/OS, but these choices lack memory management and protection which are critical to building modern applications. Because of this, you may be looking for a more comprehensive solution.
Fortunately, there are many advantages of using embedded Linux on a microprocessor in your embedded applications, such as built-in dynamic memory management and security modules that you might want to consider.
Linux has Extensive Compatibility
Over the years, Linux has grown to support a large variety of CPU architectures, including x86, ARM and PowerPC etc. So, no matter what kind of hardware you are working with, there is a good chance that a Linux kernel already exists for it.
Linux supports nearly all the programming languages and utilities that you need for your embedded system development endeavours. With Linux, you are not restricted to any specific software. If you are dissatisfied with anything, there is a good chance that an alternative is available – or you can be the first in the community to develop it!
Linux is Open Source
Linux, as an open source kernel, allows you to leverage on the work of thousands of developers across the world. By tweaking or directly implementing existing packages, you can get your own applications up and running far more easily and quickly.
The Linux Community is There for You
Got a specific question? No problem! Because Linux is used by so many developers, you not only have their code to count on, but also their experience and knowledge. Simply ask away at one of the many forums available, like linux.org.
Get Started with Embedded Linux Boards
Now that we’ve learnt more about the advantages of embedded Linux, it’s time to explore how we can get into it!
The best way to dive into the world of embedded Linux is to get your hands on a single board computer. Today, there are many available single board computers that ship with specialised embedded Linux distributions, that are available for you to directly begin developing and using in your own projects.
Choosing from Linux Distributions
Linux distributions or “distros” are different flavours of operating systems running on the Linux kernel. They may offer different in-built features or tools, allowing for a variety of user and development experiences.
To make better use of limited resources on embedded devices, server distributions do not come with a GUI or graphical user interface. Instead, the command line interface will have to be used.
For even more recommended Linux distros for beginners, please visit Best Linux Distros 2020 for Beginners.
Raspberry Pi OS – Raspberry Pi 4
One popular and cost-effective embedded Linux solution is offered by the Raspberry Pi 4, which comes with its very own Raspberry Pi OS operating system. The desktop OS is very beginner friendly and easy to use, with official guided tutorials from the Raspberry Pi Foundation and extensive community support.
More Embedded Linux Platforms
You may also be interested in the following popular embedded Linux single board computers:
| SBC | Operating System | Good For | Cost |
| Raspberry Pi Zero / Zero W | Linux | Low cost and small form factor | $5 / $10 |
| Raspberry Pi 4 | Linux | Introduction and Learning with Great Support | $35 |
| Odyssey – X86J4105864 | Windows & Linux, with Arduino Co-processor | High performance edge computing development | $258 |
| NVIDIA Jetson Nano 2GB Developer Kit | Linux | Beginner friendly Machine Learning Option | $59 |
| NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX Developer Kit | Linux | High Performance AI and Machine Learning | $399 |
For more single board computers that can be used with embedded Linux and more, be sure to visit: Raspberry Pi Alternatives: 17 Best Single Board Computers in 2020.
The Best Embedded Linux Terminal Device – reTerminal
reTerminal CM4104032 is powered by a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) which is a Quad-Core Cortex-A72 CPU running at 1.5GHz and a 5-inch IPS capacitive multi-touch screen with a resolution of 720 x 1280.
- Integrated modular design with high stability and expandability
- Powered by Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) with 4GB RAM & 32GB eMMC
- 5-Inch IPS capacitive multi-touch screen at 1280 x 720 and 293 PPI
- Wireless connectivity with dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 BLE
- High-speed expansion interface and rich I/O for more expandability
- Cryptographic co-processor with secure hardware-based key storage
- Built-in modules such as accelerometer, light sensor, and RTC
- Gigabit Ethernet Port and Dual USB 2.0 Type-A ports
- Pre-installed heatsink for higher performance
- 40-Pin Raspberry Pi compatible header for IoT applications
- reTerminal is Microsoft Azure Certified
- Remote management support from partner Mender.io
- The best Raspberry Pi device with a 5-Inch multi-touch screen
- High-performance Raspberry Pi CM4 tablet
Embedded Linux: A Custom Solution
If none of the existing Linux operating system options meet your needs, or if you simply like to do it yourself, you can get started building your custom embedded Linux system in a few ways.
Yocto – An open source collaboration project that provides a flexible set of tools and platform to create custom Linux-based systems regardless of hardware architecture.
Buildroot – A simple, efficient and easy-to-use tool to generate embedded Linux systems through cross-compilation.
OpenWrt – A highly customisable Linux framework for embedded devices (typically wireless routers)
For more information on each of these custom embedded Linux solutions, feel free to visit each of their websites for more information on how to get started.
More Learning Resources
Here are also some online resources and courses that you can explore for a deeper understanding on the Linux kernel and embedded applications. I highly recommend Bootlin’s articles as they are free-to-use and beginner-friendly.
- Free Introductory Webinar by The Linux Foundation
- Bootlin’s Extensive Library of Information on Embedded Linux
- Embedded Linux Online Course by Arm
- Embedded Linux Step by Step using Beaglebone Black on Udemy
Conclusion
To conclude, if you are looking to develop your own project and need a reliable platform to build your applications on, be sure to check out embedded Linux. With the extensive hardware and community support available, you’ll be able to get your devices up and running in no time.
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