ΜClinux: Difference between revisions

μClinux
	An iPod booting iPodLinux, based on μClinux
OS family	Embedded Linux
Working state	Current
Source model	Open source
Latest release	uClinux 2.6.26-uc0 / 2008-07-29
Platforms	See below
Kernel type	Linux
Official website	www.uclinux.org

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Revision as of 07:22, 10 October 2008

μClinux stands for "MicroController Linux", and is pronounced "you-see-Linux" as explained in the website and not how the letter mu is normally pronounced. It was a fork of the Linux kernel for microcontrollers (µCs: see embedded systems) without a memory management unit (MMU).^[1] It was integrated into the main line of development as of 2.5.46^[2]; the project continues to develop patches and tools for microcontrollers.

Introduction

μClinux was originally created by D. Jeff Dionne and Kenneth Albanowski in 1998. Initially they targeted the Motorola DragonBall family of embedded 68k processors (specifically the 68328 series) on a 2.0.33 Linux kernel. After releasing their initial work a developer community soon sprung up to extend their work to newer kernels and other microprocessor architectures. In early 1999 support was added for the Motorola (now Freescale) ColdFire family of embedded microprocessors. ARM processor support also became available later that year.

Although originally targeting 2.0 series Linux kernels, it now has ports based on Linux 2.4 and Linux 2.6. There were never any μClinux extensions applied to the 2.2 series kernels.

Since version 2.5.46 of the Linux kernel the major parts of μClinux have been integrated with the main line kernel for a number of processor architectures. Greg Ungerer (who originally ported μClinux to the Motorola ColdFire family of processors) continues to maintain and actively push core μClinux support into 2.6 series Linux kernels. In this regard μClinux is essentially no longer a separate fork of Linux.

The project continues to develop patches and supporting tools for using Linux on microcontrollers. μClinux has support for many architectures, and forms the basis of many products, like network routers, security cameras, DVD or MP3 players, VoIP phone or Gateways, scanners, and card readers.

Supported architectures

The current list includes:

Altera NIOS
ADI Blackfin
ARM
ETRAX
Freescale M68K (including DragonBall, ColdFire, PowerQUICC and others)
Fujitsu FRV
Hitachi H8
Intel i960
MIPS (example: the Brecis parts)
NEC V850E
Xilinx MicroBlaze

Recent developments

Quality of support varies, with some ports no longer under active development. ARM support is currently being merged, most core support is in later 2.6 series kernels. Microblaze is actively attempting for inclusion in main line Linux kernels. Development for some architectures has occurred outside of the existing μClinux community (typically by commercial interests, but sometimes by individuals), and resources like the uclinux.org web site may not be particularly helpful for all architecture types.

Like any part of the Linux kernel, the extensions (in the form of patches) are licensed under the GPL.

Although strictly speaking μClinux is only the operating system kernel, the μClinux project also produced a C standard library called uClibc (now separately maintained) and a "userland" which can be used as a complete operating system for embedded systems called "μClinux-dist".

The "μClinux-dist" software package contains libraries, applications and tools. It can be configured and built into a kernel with root file system. It was first released by Greg Ungerer in 1999 as the μClinux-coldfire package. In the following years it came to support many architecture families, and now can even build standard Linux architectures (such as x86) as well.

The "μClinux-dist" userland utilities contain tiny http servers, a small 'sh like' shell, and even a fun^{[citation needed]} ascii art Star Wars film. It also contains many other well known Open Source packages, like Samba and FreeS/WAN, all of which run on μClinux systems.

For example, the iPodLinux project uses μClinux for its kernel, and so does Mattel's Juice Box, as well as the well-known Nintendo DS Linux port, DSLinux, the lesser-known PlayStation port Runix, and the PlayStation Portable port.

It has also been used in the Picotux, advertised as the smallest computer running Linux in the world. The Picotux 100 is 35 mm × 19 mm × 19 mm, but the Blackfin based Minotaur BF537 is smaller, at 26.5mm x 26.5mm x 4.2mm. ^[3]

References

^ D. Jeff Dionne. "uClinux Description". Retrieved 2007-12-31. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
^ Greg Ungerer. "uClinux Main Line Announcement". Retrieved 2008-01-15.
^ "Minotaur BF537". Retrieved 2007-12-31.

External links

[1] D. Jeff Dionne. "uClinux Description". Retrieved 2007-12-31. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

[2] Greg Ungerer. "uClinux Main Line Announcement". Retrieved 2008-01-15.

[3] "Minotaur BF537". Retrieved 2007-12-31.

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 Although strictly speaking μClinux is only the operating system kernel, the μClinux project also produced a [[C standard library]] called [[uClibc]] (now separately maintained) and a "userland" which can be used as a complete operating system for embedded systems called "μClinux-dist".
-The "μClinux-dist" software package contains libraries, applications and tools. It can be configured and built into a kernel with root file system. It was first released by Greg Ungerer in [[1999]] as the μClinux-coldfire package. In the following years it came to support many architecture families, and now can even build standard Linux architectures (such as x86) as well.
+The "μClinux-dist" software package contains libraries, applications and tools. It can be configured and built into a kernel with root file system. It was first released by Greg Ungerer in 1999 as the μClinux-coldfire package. In the following years it came to support many architecture families, and now can even build standard Linux architectures (such as x86) as well.
 The "μClinux-dist" userland utilities contain tiny http servers, a small 'sh like' shell, and even a fun{{Fact|date=August 2008}} [[ascii art]] [[Star Wars]] film. It also contains many other well known Open Source packages, like [[Samba (software)|Samba]] and [[FreeS/WAN]], all of which run on μClinux systems.