OpenEmbedded
Encyclopedia
OpenEmbedded is a software framework to create Linux distribution
s aimed for, but not restricted to, embedded devices
. The build system is based on BitBake
recipes, which behave similar to Gentoo's
ebuild
s.
Recipes in the old OpenEmbedded-Classic were all found in one place, in the new OpenEmbedded-Core the structure has changed into meta layers to make it easier to add custom recipes.
OpenEmbedded can be installed and automatically updated via Git
.
) was created by Chris Larson, Michael Lauer, and Holger Schurig, merging the achievements of OpenZaurus
with contributions from projects like Familiar Linux
and OpenSIMpad into a common codebase. OpenEmbedded superseded these projects and was used to build any of them from the same code base. Stable maintenance builds exist for the old OpenEmbedded-Classic, although most development is, or will be based, on the new OpenEmbedded-Core in the future.
The OpenEmbedded-Core Project (OE-Core for short) resulted from the merge of the Yocto Project with OpenEmbedded. This is the most recent version of OpenEmbedded and many of the OE-dev recipes are available in OE-Core.
Newer versions of package recipes may only get ported for OpenEmbedded-Core
The Layers represent a structure which is only of declarative nature. The specific entries are stricter in the scope of deciding which entry provides which packages.
Embedded system software developers would place their recipe here if the software would not fit the commercial or base layer.
go in this layer.
. The following list is available for OpenEmbedded:
boards from Texas Instruments and several I.MX
devices (for example the I.MX28 series) from Freescale are supported.
Other well known boards like the PandaBoard
are also supported along with other hardware.
Some devices of the IBM PowerPC
series are supported by OpenEmbedded
Linux distribution
A Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...
s aimed for, but not restricted to, embedded devices
Embedded system
An embedded system is a computer system designed for specific control functions within a larger system. often with real-time computing constraints. It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts. By contrast, a general-purpose computer, such as a personal...
. The build system is based on BitBake
BitBake
BitBake is a make-alike build tool with the special focus of distributions and packages for embedded Linux cross compilation even if it's not limited to only that...
recipes, which behave similar to Gentoo's
Gentoo Linux
Gentoo Linux is a computer operating system built on top of the Linux kernel and based on the Portage package management system. It is distributed as free and open source software. Unlike a conventional software distribution, the user compiles the source code locally according to their chosen...
ebuild
Ebuild
An ebuild is a specialized bash script format created by the Gentoo Linux project for use in its Portage software management system, which automates compilation and installation procedures for software packages....
s.
Recipes in the old OpenEmbedded-Classic were all found in one place, in the new OpenEmbedded-Core the structure has changed into meta layers to make it easier to add custom recipes.
OpenEmbedded can be installed and automatically updated via Git
Git (software)
Git is a distributed revision control system with an emphasis on speed. Git was initially designed and developed by Linus Torvalds for Linux kernel development. Every Git working directory is a full-fledged repository with complete history and full revision tracking capabilities, not dependent on...
.
History
The OpenEmbedded Project (OE for short, but mostly called OE-dev, following the name of the mailing listMailing list
A mailing list is a collection of names and addresses used by an individual or an organization to send material to multiple recipients. The term is often extended to include the people subscribed to such a list, so the group of subscribers is referred to as "the mailing list", or simply "the...
) was created by Chris Larson, Michael Lauer, and Holger Schurig, merging the achievements of OpenZaurus
OpenZaurus
OpenZaurus is a defunct embedded operating system for the Sharp Zaurus personal mobile tool PDA.- History :In its original form, the project was a repackaging of the SharpROM, the Zaurus's factory supplied kernel and root filesystem image...
with contributions from projects like Familiar Linux
Familiar Linux
Familiar Linux is a Linux distribution for iPAQ machines and other personal digital assistants , intended as a replacement for Windows CE on these machines. It can use OPIE or GPE Palmtop Environment as graphical user interface...
and OpenSIMpad into a common codebase. OpenEmbedded superseded these projects and was used to build any of them from the same code base. Stable maintenance builds exist for the old OpenEmbedded-Classic, although most development is, or will be based, on the new OpenEmbedded-Core in the future.
The OpenEmbedded-Core Project (OE-Core for short) resulted from the merge of the Yocto Project with OpenEmbedded. This is the most recent version of OpenEmbedded and many of the OE-dev recipes are available in OE-Core.
Newer versions of package recipes may only get ported for OpenEmbedded-Core
Layer organisation
OpenEmbedded-Core has adapted this layered structure in the merge with Yocto and new layer entries were added over time.The Layers represent a structure which is only of declarative nature. The specific entries are stricter in the scope of deciding which entry provides which packages.
Developer layer
The user defined layer for custom Bitbake recipes.Embedded system software developers would place their recipe here if the software would not fit the commercial or base layer.
Commercial layer
Packages, plugins and configurations from open source vendorsProfessional open-source
Professional open-source is an open source software business model where an open source software vendor generates revenue from paid professional services, maintenance and support provided along with the software...
go in this layer.
UI-specific layer
Layers currently present within the meta-openembedded layer:- meta-efl (EnlightenmentEnlightenment (window manager)Enlightenment, also known simply as E, is a stacking window manager for the X Window System which can be used alone or in conjunction with a desktop environment such as GNOME or KDE...
window manager) - meta-gnome (GNOMEGNOMEGNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...
window manager) - meta-gpe (GPE window manager)
- meta-xfce (XfceXfceXfce is a free software desktop environment for Unix and other Unix-like platforms, such as Linux, Solaris, and BSD – though recent compatibility issues have arisen with regard to BSD Unix platforms...
window manager)
Hardware-specific layer
- meta-efikamx (EfikaEFIKAEfika are a line of mobile computing Power Architecture and ARM architecture based computers manufactured by Genesi.In Esperanto efika means "efficacious, effective, or efficient".-Efika 5200B:...
devices) - meta-intel (Intel embedded devices)
- meta-nslu2 (NSLU2NSLU2The NSLU2 is a Network-attached storage device made by Linksys introduced in 2004 and discontinued in 2008. It makes USB Flash memory and hard disks accessible over a network using the SMB protocol...
devices) - meta-openpandora (Openpandora device layer)
- meta-smartphone (various smartphone devices)
- meta-texasinstruments (Texas Instruments devices)
- meta-xilinx (XilinxXilinxXilinx, Inc. is a supplier of programmable logic devices. It is known for inventing the field programmable gate array and as the first semiconductor company with a fabless manufacturing model....
devices) - (Others)
Distributions supported
In OpenEmbedded the configurations from Base- to the UI-Layer can be supplemented by various Linux distributionsLinux distribution
A Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...
. The following list is available for OpenEmbedded:
- Ångström distributionÅngström distributionThe Ångström distribution is a Linux distribution for a variety of embedded devices. The distribution is the result of a unification of developers from the OpenZaurus, OpenEmbedded, and OpenSIMpad projects...
- KaeilOSKaeilOSKaeilOS is an embedded linux GNU GPL distribution maintained by Italian company KOAN and composed of a collection of the best publicly available Open Source packages....
- OpenmokoOpenmokoOpenmoko is a project to create a family of open source mobile phones, including the hardware specification and the operating system. The project was sponsored by Openmoko Inc....
- SHRSHR (operating system)SHR is a community-driven Linux distribution for smartphones which is based on OpenEmbedded and the framework. Several different graphical toolkits are made available, such as GTK+, Qt and more.-System requirements:...
- SlugOSSlugOSSlugOS is common source base for a group of firmware distributions for the Linksys NSLU2.-SlugOS:SlugOS comprises:*SlugOS/BE - Big Endian*SlugOS/LE - Little Endian*UcSlugC --SlugOS/BE:...
- WebOS
- Others
Boards and processors
The BeagleBoard and GumstixGumstix
Gumstix is a company founded in 2003 by Gordon Kruberg that produces small single-board computers. The name Gumstix refers to the size of the first such computer being the approximate size of a stick of gum....
boards from Texas Instruments and several I.MX
I.MX
The i.MX range is a family of Freescale Semiconductor proprietary microprocessors for multimedia applications based on the ARM architecture and focused on low-power consumption. The i.MX application processors are SoCs , that integrate many processing units into one die, like the main CPU, a video...
devices (for example the I.MX28 series) from Freescale are supported.
Other well known boards like the PandaBoard
PandaBoard
The PandaBoard is a low-power, low-cost single-board computer based on the Texas Instruments OMAP4430 processor. The board has been available to the public at the subsidized price of US$174 since 27 October 2010...
are also supported along with other hardware.
Some devices of the IBM PowerPC
PowerPC
PowerPC is a RISC architecture created by the 1991 Apple–IBM–Motorola alliance, known as AIM...
series are supported by OpenEmbedded
Porting to new hardware
The constellation of OpenEmbedded, especially the open design, allows it to get OpenEmbedded to adapt new hardware fairly easy.See also
- BitBakeBitBakeBitBake is a make-alike build tool with the special focus of distributions and packages for embedded Linux cross compilation even if it's not limited to only that...
- Familiar LinuxFamiliar LinuxFamiliar Linux is a Linux distribution for iPAQ machines and other personal digital assistants , intended as a replacement for Windows CE on these machines. It can use OPIE or GPE Palmtop Environment as graphical user interface...
- Openpandora
- OpenZaurusOpenZaurusOpenZaurus is a defunct embedded operating system for the Sharp Zaurus personal mobile tool PDA.- History :In its original form, the project was a repackaging of the SharpROM, the Zaurus's factory supplied kernel and root filesystem image...
- Poky Linux
- Yocto Project