Embedded linux outlook in the PostPC industry

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the future of Embedded Linux in the PostPC industry. This analysis is carried out by first examining the current forces at work in the PostPC market and how they effect Linux. Next, we look at the future trends in the PostPC market for the many types of devices we see in the market now and will see in the future and how well these trends can be addressed by Embedded Linux and other RTOSes in the marketplace. The third step in this analysis is to examine the qualities of Linux itself and what gives it an advantage in the marketplace as well as the challenges that accompany using Linux as an embedded platform. We address the challenges that Embedded Linux faces by proposing the need for the standardization of Embedded Linux. This means building a core standard for a kernel that is optimized for embedded systems, standard middleware profiles for powering different applications, and a standard for addressing intellectual property and software components.