UClinux

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

μClinux (which stands for MicroControllerLinux and is pronounced as you-see-Linux) is a fork of the Linux kernel for microcontrollers (µCs, embedded systems) without a memory management unit (MMU). Originally derived from version 2.0 (1996) of the Linux kernel, it now has ports based on Linux 2.4 and Linux 2.6. Since version 2.6 of the Linux kernel, the major parts of uClinux have been integrated with the mainline kernel for a number of processor architectures. The project continues to develop patches and supporting tools for using Linux on microcontrollers. uClinux 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.

Although strictly speaking uClinux is only the operating system kernel, the uClinux project also produced a C library called uClibc (now separately maintained) and a "userland" which can be used as a complete operating system for embedded systems called "uClinux-dist". The "uClinux-dist" software package contains libraries, applications and tools. It can be configured and built into a kernel with root file system.

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

[edit] External links

• uClinux homepage
• ucdot - forum for uClinux and Embeded Linux
• The uClinux Directory
• uClinux guide, but little bit older doc.
• uClinux - Setting up the Development Environment
• Deeply Embedded Linux - A practical Example
• Getting started with uClinux
• Debugging uClinux kernel and applications with GNU gdb/insight
• Linux Porting of Game Boy Advance Based on uClinux
• Document site for uClinux port on blackfin processor, but most of the docs are pretty common