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14 Industrial Embedded Linux Case Studies

An anonymous reader writes "This article presents a collection of papers and presentations on the use of embedded Linux in the "real world" that was assembled by the Industrial Embedded Systems (INES) organization, a project to promote the adoption of Open Source software funded by the European Union. The papers show some of the exciting and esoteric applications that the industrial world finds for embedded Linum. From vibration health monitoring systems to crane scales to giant LED signs at sports stadiums, that little penguin (a.k.a. Tux) shows up in the darnedest places."

21 of 57 comments (clear)

  1. More embedded Linux sponsors... by tcopeland · · Score: 4, Informative

    ...are listed here. That's quite a list!

    1. Re:More embedded Linux sponsors... by Sunda666 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Interesting to see QNX listed as a part of this consortium... Think about "If you can't beat them, join them", it seems.

      --


      ``If a program can't rewrite its own code, what good is it?'' - Mel
  2. Linux is great and all, but... by 77Punker · · Score: 3, Insightful

    ...why is it needed to run things like a bunch of stupid little LED's? Couldn't a much smaller solution be used in those cases?

    1. Re:Linux is great and all, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      I know, MS products do a great job of lighting the LEDs on my network equipment when they get infected with UDP worms.

    2. Re:Linux is great and all, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      > ...why is it needed to run things like a bunch of stupid little LED's?

      Yes, but without Linux, you'd never be able to generate that Internet-delivered error log that shows which LEDs are have ceased to function.

      Surely you don't suggest *looking* at them?

    3. Re:Linux is great and all, but... by MoonFog · · Score: 4, Informative

      How about RTFA ?
      Indoor and outdoor LED display vendor TecnoVision, S.p.A. used the open source KA9Q Network Operating System for TCP/IP over Packet Radio to improve product functionality and flexibility, while reducing time to market and design risks. The 26 year-old Italian company makes signs used in advertisement, sport and entertainment events, live concerts, and for road information.

      "Little LED's" ? Read more here

    4. Re:Linux is great and all, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      you mean like TRON or QNX? Which is designed from the get go for real time embedded systems.

      www.tron.org and www.qnx.com

      Linux is a wannabie of everything, which is what Commodore wanted to be and they all end up doing a little bit of this and that and not specalising and being GOOD at something, just ADEQUATE.

    5. Re:Linux is great and all, but... by EnderWiggnz · · Score: 2, Funny

      yes, i can see how creatng the home pc market, and having the best selling system of all time would be considerred "failing".

      --
      ... hi bingo ...
  3. Here are some by Pingular · · Score: 5, Informative
    --

    When anger rises, think of the consequences.
    Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC)
  4. Awesome by Mysticalfruit · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I always wondered what software/hardwar was used to drive those wrap around displays. It's cool to know that it runs on linux.

    Personally, I think it'll be cool, when they build a stadium that has a plastic membrane playing surface that they can use to display graphics on.

    --
    Yes Francis, the world has gone crazy.
    1. Re:Awesome by azaris · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Personally, I think it'll be cool, when they build a stadium that has a plastic membrane playing surface that they can use to display graphics on.

      Personally, I'll pass. It's annoying enough to watch soccer mathes with advertisements projected on the pitch using computers. Thankfully they don't do that when the ball is in play.

  5. INES by Leffe · · Score: 4, Informative

    Here is the real INES homepage. They sure have some interesting stuff there, just take a look at this.

    There's also an even more interesting page about the INES, but the content is in some scary language.

  6. Embedded Linum??? by IWorkForMorons · · Score: 5, Funny

    The papers show some of the exciting and esoteric applications that the industrial world finds for embedded Linum.

    What is this Linum you speak of? And where can I get the .ISO?

  7. Where are you hiding Linux? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    So where have you guys found embedded linux devices at work or home? I find it cool that I have 2 Linux boxes in my entertainment center alone (Tivo and a Linksys WRT54G), I'm guessing there may be a few more around work or the house that I'm not aware of yet (hmm.... that toaster oven looks pretty feature rich, wonder what's running...)

  8. LINUM, mmm, yummy new word to eat... by Hell+O'World · · Score: 3, Funny

    *has idea*
    Darn! Linum.com is already taken!

  9. ummm... by Undaar · · Score: 3, Funny

    "that little penguin (a.k.a. Tux) shows up in the darnedest places."

    Umm...if you don't know what "that little penguin" is called, why are you doing reading /.?

    --
    ~ "When I'm of that age I'm just going to live up a tree."
  10. Mandatory offtopic comment by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Darl Mc Bride: "Well well well, it seems we have 14 new clients for Xmas. Good."

  11. plural for "Linux"? by captnjameskirk · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...applications that the industrial world finds for embedded Linum.

    Shouldn't that be Linii ? :)

  12. Linum for embedded systems development. by rice_burners_suck · · Score: 4, Funny
    that the industrial world finds for embedded Linum (emphasis mine)

    Here at my company, which develops industrial automation systems, I've heard a lot of buzz about this Linum. The engineers over in C3 (the software development area) say that Linum is much better than Linux for embedded applications, mostly because it ends with "m" instead of "x"...

    Of course, I've heard some heated arguments in the cafeteria about Linux vs. Linum, and I think the whole thing is turning into a big holy war over here. Kind of like the 1TBS.

  13. Freebox by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    My cable modem in France runs Linux. It is offered for free with a EUR 30,00 per month subscription and in addition to Internet access, it provides a telephone line (free calls within France) and ADSL cable tv (without using the Internet bandwidth).

    The interesting thing (besides running Linux) is that there are already 140,000 out there, with about 1 million forecast for the end of next year. 1 million embedded Linux users.

    More information can be found at Free's site (my ISP) or for a slightly more technical review here, all in French.

    Amazingly, it was still not reported by LinuxDevices neither by Slashdot...

  14. Still waiting for linux security cameras by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    that I can plug into ethernet and use on my lan that don't require windows and directx.