Embedded Linux Hardware Resources?

jessecurry asks: "I've recently come up with a conceptual Linux based piece of hardware and have been able to find a huge amount of information regarding getting Linux on to a device, but almost nothing about creating the device itself. I'd like to know if there are any books, online guides, or software that would help in designing a device that would accept some flavor of Linux. I really don't want to go 'off the shelf', but I need something that can at least display graphics, respond to positional input, and play sound. Also, is there a good place to have all of these components put together once I have a finalized design?"

Comments

Tail wagging the dog?

[ClosedSource]

If you want to make something useful you should be concerned about what the device is supposed to do, how compact it is, how much it should cost etc. Whatever OS is selected (if any) it should logically follow from the goals of the project. Unless this is an academic or work experience building effort, the OS selected is just a detail. Otherwise, it's a bit like asking "how can I build an embedded systems that uses 2k resistors".

Foolish

[Andrew Sterian]

You'll never be able to make something on your own as cheaply as an off-the-shelf system that's mass produced due to economies of scale. Focus on the end-product and don't get caught up on trying to do everything yourself. I'd buy an off-the-shelf hardware system.

Re:Foolish

[AuMatar]

But building it yourself is more fun.

Depends what you want

[porkThreeWays]

There's like 4 levels of "embedded" systems. Depending on who you talk to, some of these don't qualify. But "embedded" has been unclear for the past few years.

Lowest level - True microcontroller. AVR or PIC. They can easily display LCD graphics, MP3 chips exist for sound. If you can get away with a true microcontroller, DO IT! It isn't Linux, but the AVR line is heavily supported by the open source community. Some of the best developer tools for it are GCC based. It can also easily do DAC and ADC. Super cheap per unit costs (some systems under a dollar in high enough bulk)..

Next level - Gumstix style system. Has a heavier OS, but much more hardware support. Also, you have the advantage of many premade libs for you to use. They usually use 200-400 mhz processors. Also have the advantage of much more storage. Can usually access CF and SD cards.

Mini itx / Nano itx / PC 104- The manufacturing industry uses these a lot. Still solid state, but basically a small PC. REALLY small PC. Many times 1/4 the size of a laptop motherboard.

PC - Some people consider limited resource PC's embedded. I generally don't, but that's me. The manufacturing industry uses these. Think shuttle pc or microatx.

As I said before, depending your programming experience, it's almost always best to start lowest and go up. Your unit costs are cheaper. Devices use less power and not as hot. Much smaller. Etc, etc. Basically, all these things mean more profit to you.