Embedded Linux covers the development and implementation of interfacing applications on an embedded Linux platform. It includes a comprehensive discussion of platform selection, crosscompilation, kernel compilation, root filesystem creation, booting, remote debugging, real-world interfacing, application control, data collection, archiving, and presentation.

This book includes serial, parallel, memory I/O, USB, and interrupt-driven hardware designs using x86-, StrongARM^®-, and PowerPC^®-based target boards. In addition, you will find simple device driver module code that connects external devices to the kernel, and network integration code that connects embedded Linux field devices to a centralized control center. Examples teach hardware developers how to store and activate field bits and deliver process information using open source software. If you are a hardware developer, software developer, system integrator, or product manager who's begun exploring embedded Linux for interfacing applications, this book is for you.

• Select an embedded Linux platform (x86, StrongARM^®, and PowerPC^® architectures are covered)

• Create a cross-compiling and debugging development environment

• Build a custom Linux kernel for each architecture

• Create a minimum root filesystem

• Boot the custom Linux kernel on three target boards with x86, SA-1110, and MPC860 microprocessors

• Remote debug programs running on a target board across an ethernet network using GNU tools

• Connect data acquisition and control electronics/peripherals using the microprocessor's serial, parallel, memory I/O, and USB interfaces

• Measure average interrupt latencies for the x86, SA-1110, and MPC860 microprocessors and design an interrupt-driven process timer with 1mS accuracy

• Interface the peripherals to the kernel and applications using device driver modules

• Collect, control, store, and present data via open source protocols and applications

• Analyze embedded Linux vendor product offerings

0672322269B03282002

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 13 Ratings

Slightly Out of Date but still well worth the purchase - 2004-04-19
Reviewer Rating:
As of 4/2004, the book relies on a free distribution of Hard Hat linux that is no longer available on Montavista's site (as they charge $25K for a single seat, I guess they felt they were giving too much away ;-) HOWEVER: Hollanaugh has copies of them with all of his scripts on his site, so look for them there. His scripts are also now modified to point to the new locations. Though even this distribution is somewhat out of date, this book does a pretty reasonable job of getting you through it all. I found finding free (useful, current) distributions of embedded linux very hard to find but eventually did.. Check out www.denx.de and store.yahoo.com/snapgear/snemlidi.html for current multiplatform distributions. The denx distribution ELDK appears to have morphed from the original Hard Hat distibution as many of the utilities still exist, I used this and was able to "generally" follow along. It's a more recent distribution and supports more platforms (at least for the PPC). I would definately repurchase this book again..
His site is:
http://www.embeddedlinuxinterfacing.com/overview.shtml

Great book - 2003-07-24
Reviewer Rating:
Hey embedded Linux developers,

This book is great. The simple examples clearly illustrate how to get a development system up and running, then how to develop simple device drivers to exercise hardware. I learned from these examples and put them to work on my project immediately. I read the other reviews below and don't know why they didn't like this book, did they even read it?

Its a great book, buy it now (its the best [money]spent on embedded Linux available).

Satisfied Customer

Most Excellent Introduction and Objective Methodology - 2003-08-21
Reviewer Rating:
Dr. Hollabaugh has certainly shed useful light on the concept of embedded linux. He intelligently sets the stage and walk you through real steps for deploying a fully embedded linux control and monitoring system. The diagram, table, and code examples will leave you with a very clear understanding of the subject matter (providing you have some background with linux development). Personally, I was totally captivated and found myself extremely happy that I have chosen this book to help thrust foward my own intelligence of embedded linux. This book and website....has become a primary reference for future embedded linux application.

Great Reference, Odd Story format - 2005-10-16
Reviewer Rating:
This book is clearly the best reference I have for embedded projects under linux; future and present inclusive. The author covers USB device integration quite well, and gives a well worded approach to mounting and setting up your own usb-devfs.
Along with clear examples, the author mainly tries to format the text from an on-lookers prospective to an "embedded ski lift monitor" project- i.e. "My data from working along-side the team" Great effort there-
Another pro to this book is that there are many code samples (all but one I got working, first try) that keep the flow of the book geared towards a beginning hardware-level programmer, with teach by example in mind.
The biggest down side to the text is the beginning material about setting up the workspace environment. A friend tried the same book, and had much trouble simply because they didn't know what pitfalls to expect when installing Debian. Although, the setup does allow for multiple-processor compilations of source code. A Great plus, and another reason for me using the book as a reference.

Out of all the good and bad, this book earned the 4 star rating and with honors. If you want a place to begin embedded systems, and aren't weary of installing a fresh copy of an older model of Debian, have at this book!
Hope this helps-

not enough info to be usefull - 2006-02-09
Reviewer Rating:
the book does not contain enough information to be usefull. I would recommend other books such as "building Embedded Linux Systems"

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