Linux Systems

Linux is a UNIX-like operating system originally developed for desktop and server computers. However, its small footprint and low overhead make it an ideal platform for soft real time and embedded applications where reliable scheduling is a key feature but hard real time is not required. The simple device driver architecture of Linux is also attractive when interface to custom hardware is required.

PTP have used Linux in several developments on standard PC and custom embedded hardware. The Acqcelerator development, pictured right, was a complete porting exercise: customising Linux for the (ARM) processor and hardware architecture, developing device drivers for the peripheral devices, and developing application software.