NetBSD Embedded Systems
The NetBSD Operating System is the most portable OS in the world,
and many of the supported hardware platforms are suited for embedded
applications. This section contains links to ports and
platforms that fit within the term embedded as well as additional
links.
What is an Embedded System?
General Information & Links About Embedded Systems
Embedded development with NetBSD
Notes
What is an Embedded System?
The following definition which can be found in the Embedded Systems
Glossary states:
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 (...) [1]
This of course is a very subjective definition. These types of systems
are mainly singular function systems, a limited set of specific
function systems or a part of an overall system. Additionally, many
systems are designed to be embedded. A good example of this case is a
motor controller for an assembly line. Note also that the example used
in the above extract talks about an antilock braking system which, while
embedded, is also real time and does not apply to NetBSD.
The NetBSD multi-platform operating system supports a wide number of
different platforms, many of which can and are already being used in
embedded applications. Among the more popular processor families for
embedded systems are MIPS, PowerPC, ARM, Xscale and Super-H. Visit the main
Platforms(ports) page for more information
about different architectures supported by NetBSD.
To see a list of hardware products that are designed around
NetBSD—many of them in embedded applications—check out the
products page, which
shows NetBSD being the #1 choice for multimedia servers,
copiers/printers, wireless routers and more!
General Information & Links About Embedded Systems
Wikipedia's definition of an Embedded System
Embedded.com
Control and Embedded Systems Tutorial
IEEE Real-Time Research Repository
Embedded Debian (GNU/Linux) Project
Embedded Systems Directory at Yahoo!
Real Time Directory at Yahoo!
Embedded development with NetBSD
While embedded development with NetBSD doesn't differ a lot from
regular Unix development, some special cases are in the build
processes. The following links are intended to provide introduction
and guidance.
Brian Rose: Building tiny systems with embedded NetBSD
Brian Rose: Embedded NetBSD
How to create bootable NetBSD image on Compact Flash?
J. Sevy: Embedded NetBSD HowTo: Porting NetBSD To A New ARM SoC
Matthew Sporleder: Installing NetBSD on the Soekris net4801
Hubert Feyrer: Cross-Development with NetBSD: Using NetBSD's new toolchain to develop for an embedded device
hubertf's NetBSD blog: embedded section
A lot more can be said about this topic, please let us know if you
have any input.
Notes
Barr, Michael. Embedded Systems Glossary.
Online at http://www.netrino.com/Publications/Glossary/.
June 2003.