Posted by Cliff Brake on 2009-01-09 | 
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As detailed in the article I wrote back in September of 2007 (http://bec-systems.com/web/content/view/75/9/), getting embedded wifi modules functioning is not a simple task. However, due to recent advances in the Linux kernel, it looks like a viable solution for low-mid volume products is emerging. This article provides a few details on how to get a [...]
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Updated 2.6.23 kernel patches for the Compulab cm-x270 are now available in OpenEmbedded: http://www.openembedded.org/filebrowser/org.openembedded.dev/packages/linux/linux-2.6.23/cm-x270 The cm-x270 support in OpenEmbedded has undergone a lot of clean-up in recent weeks. Now is a good time to give OpenEmbedded a try if you need a full featured Linux distribution for the cm-x270.
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Have you ever wondered what is the best way to implement periodic tasks in Linux applications — something better than usleep()? This article covers a number of issues related to this subject including real-time tasks, the different timers available, timer resolution, and how to implement periodic tasks accurately so that error is not accumulated. The [...]
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I just completed porting the cm-x270 Linux kernel patches to the 2.6.22 kernel. Kernel build is available in OpenEmbedded. Patches are available in the OE tree: http://www.openembedded.org/filebrowser/org.openembedded.dev/packages/linux/compulab-pxa270-2.6.22 Shortly I will be making 2.6.22 the default kernel for the cm-x270 in OpenEmbedded and posting instructions on how to use JFFS2 with the NAND flash on the [...]
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Have you ever wondered about the real-time response of Linux and how well it performs? I recently developed a system where I had the requirement to send a packet of data out a serial port every 30ms. This article describes how stock Linux can be used to accomplish this and solutions to several problems I [...]
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In this day and age, most embedded systems include a way for users to easily update software once the device has been deployed. This article discusses the requirements for a field update mechanism along with pointers for how to implement. Update Mechanism Requirements Requirements for a field update mechanism might be: easy for users to [...]
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The Linux kernel contains a very useful macro named “container_of” that is used extensively in back-casting a data structure to its containing data structure. This article includes a simple program that illustrates how this macro is used, and explains why it is so useful. If you do a lot of C programming, this program is [...]
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I recently updated the GESBC-9302 machine support in OpenEmbedded to include the 2.6.24 released kernel. Also, Glomation has kindly provided me with a patch for the software reboot problem which I have integrated into the OpenEmbedded build for the GESBC. The patch files are part of the OpenEmbedded dev branch or can be obtained here: [...]