Embracing Embedded Environments for Development Success By : Mark Recoskie

3 Embedded Systems Small Special purpose Solid state Low power Less expensive

4 PC versus Embedded Device PC x86 processor small-med-large applications greater cost greater integration effort (cards & drivers, choosing components and building PC) stigma – PC not as reliable as a proprietary PBX large in size familiar development environment Embedded Device embedded processor small-med applications low cost little or no integration effort required purpose built, solid state, more reliable small in size embedded development environment – different skill set required

5 Considerations Processor Memory Cost of the unit Special hardware integration Software tools

6 Development Differences Why is development different? –Cross compile (Host  Target) –Different tools and libraries –Dependencies and packages –File systems –Optimizations –Debugging Special skill set required

7 “Building a gcc / glibc cross-toolchain for use in embedded systems development used to be a scary prospect, requiring iron will, days if not weeks of effort, lots of Unix and Gnu lore, and sometimes willingness to take dodgy shortcuts.” - Dan Kegel : a Google software engineer

8 Embedded Development Environments What are they? –Usually consist of a set of tools and framework –Installed on a independent computer –Most are a toolchain + Buildroot concept Examples, –OpenWrt –PADS –Astfin –BAPS –AADK –Scripts

9 Embedded Dev Suites (cont’d) Various levels A) Toolchain (gcc, scripts, etc.) B) Buildroot concept (on top of toolchain) C) Buildroot+ (GUI, package manager) Assembly line for code

10 The Process Automation is the word 1) Selection 2) Compilation 3) Preparation 4) Commitment 5) Debugging

11 The Process (cont’d)

12 Benefits of Embedded Development Environments Much less technical knowledge of an embedded environment is required Much less setup time Consistent and reproducible Portable mechanism from machine to machine Automation

13 Summary A good Embedded Development Environment is essential Getting easier and easier to adopt Embedded development is just different development – not harder