Software Development for Embedded Linux

Harnessing the Power of Linux for Embedded Systems

Embedded Linux has become the platform of choice for many embedded systems due to its flexibility, scalability, and extensive support for a wide range of hardware. Our software development services for embedded Linux are tailored to meet the unique demands of your project, from custom kernel development to full-scale application deployment.

1. Requirements Analysis & System Design

  • Needs Assessment: We start by thoroughly understanding your project’s goals, including performance requirements, hardware constraints, and user expectations.
  • System Architecture Design: Designing the overall system architecture, including hardware-software interaction, communication protocols, and user interfaces, ensuring a robust and scalable foundation.

2. Linux Kernel Development & Customization

  • Kernel Configuration: Customizing the Linux kernel to meet the specific needs of your hardware, including driver support, memory management, and real-time capabilities.
  • Driver Development: Developing and integrating custom device drivers to interface with your hardware components, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
  • Real-Time Linux (RTLinux): Implementing real-time extensions to the Linux kernel if your application requires precise timing and deterministic behavior.

3. Bootloader Development & Optimization

  • Bootloader Customization: Configuring and optimizing the bootloader (e.g., U-Boot) to ensure fast and reliable system startup, tailored to your hardware environment.
  • Security Features: Implementing secure boot processes, including encryption and authentication, to protect your system from unauthorized access during startup.

4. Root Filesystem & Middleware Development

  • Filesystem Creation: Building a customized root filesystem, including the necessary libraries, utilities, and configuration files, optimized for your specific application.
  • Middleware Integration: Developing and integrating middleware components, such as communication stacks, database management, and connectivity solutions, to enable smooth operation of higher-level applications.

5. Application Development

  • Custom Application Development: Creating user-space applications tailored to your embedded Linux system, whether for industrial control, consumer electronics, IoT devices, or other applications.
  • Graphical User Interface (GUI) Development: Designing and implementing intuitive and responsive GUIs using frameworks like Qt, GTK+, or custom solutions, ensuring a seamless user experience.
  • Network & Connectivity Solutions: Implementing robust networking solutions, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and IoT protocols, to ensure reliable communication within and outside your system.

6. Security & Hardening

  • Security Audits: Conducting comprehensive security audits to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities in the system.
  • Access Control & Encryption: Implementing strong access control mechanisms and encryption to protect sensitive data and ensure secure communication.
  • Sandboxing & Containerization: Utilizing containerization technologies (e.g., Docker) to isolate applications, enhancing security and manageability.

7. Testing, Debugging, & Optimization

  • Automated Testing: Setting up automated testing environments to continuously verify the functionality, performance, and stability of the software.
  • Performance Optimization: Fine-tuning the system for optimal performance, including resource management, power consumption, and processing efficiency.
  • Debugging & Troubleshooting: Utilizing advanced debugging tools (e.g., GDB, strace, Valgrind) to diagnose and resolve issues, ensuring the system runs smoothly in real-world conditions.

8. Deployment & Maintenance

  • System Deployment: Assisting with the deployment process, including on-site installation, remote updates, and cloud integration as required.
  • Long-Term Support: Providing ongoing support and maintenance, including software updates, security patches, and system upgrades, to ensure your system remains up-to-date and secure.
  • Documentation: Delivering comprehensive documentation, including user manuals, maintenance guides, and development references, to support your team and end-users.

Why Choose Our Embedded Linux Development Services?

  • Expertise in Linux: Our team has deep experience in developing and customizing embedded Linux systems across various industries, ensuring your project benefits from best practices and cutting-edge solutions.
  • End-to-End Development: From kernel customization to application development, we provide a full spectrum of services to meet all your embedded Linux needs.
  • Security & Reliability: We prioritize security and reliability, implementing industry-standard practices to ensure your system is robust and secure.
  • Custom Solutions: Every project is unique, and we tailor our services to meet your specific requirements, ensuring a perfect fit for your application.

Let us help you unlock the full potential of embedded Linux for your project. Whether you need a fully customized system or specific application development, our expertise will guide you to success.

Processor Expertise

NXP:

  • i.MX Series:
    • i.MX6: High-performance, energy-efficient ARM Cortex-A9 processors, ideal for multimedia and industrial applications.
    • i.MX7: Power-efficient ARM Cortex-A7/M4 processors, designed for secure, connected devices in IoT and industrial automation.
    • i.MX8: Advanced multi-core processors offering high-performance computing for automotive, industrial, and multimedia applications.
    • i.MX9: Next-generation processors combining high performance with advanced security features, designed for AI, machine learning, and edge computing in industrial and automotive environments.

STMicroelectronics:

  • STM32MP Series:
    • Dual and single ARM Cortex-A7 processors combined with Cortex-M4 cores, supporting real-time and Linux-based applications in IoT, industrial, and consumer electronics.

Texas Instruments:

  • Sitara AM Series:
    • AM33xx: ARM Cortex-A8 processors, optimized for industrial automation, human-machine interfaces (HMI), and networked systems.
    • AM4x: ARM Cortex-A9 processors, delivering scalable performance for industrial and embedded systems.
    • AM5x: ARM Cortex-A15 processors, providing high-performance processing for industrial communication, robotics, and control systems.
    • AM6x: ARM Cortex-A53/A72 processors, supporting advanced industrial applications with real-time processing and secure connectivity.

Capabilities

  • Software Architecture & Design:
    • Comprehensive experience in designing scalable, maintainable, and efficient software architectures, tailored to the unique requirements of embedded systems.
  • Operating Systems & Real-Time Processing:
    • POSIX-compliant & Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS): Proficiency in developing and optimizing software for POSIX-compliant systems and real-time environments, ensuring deterministic performance in time-sensitive applications.
  • Driver Development:
    • Expertise in creating and customizing device drivers for various hardware components, ensuring seamless integration with operating systems and efficient hardware communication.
  • Bootloader Porting:
    • Experience in adapting and porting bootloaders to specific hardware platforms, enabling reliable system initialization and firmware updates.
  • Linux Kernel Porting:
    • Skilled in porting and customizing the Linux kernel for specific hardware architectures, optimizing performance, and integrating necessary drivers and modules.
  • Device Tree Configuration:
    • Expertise in configuring and managing device trees, enabling correct hardware initialization and peripheral configuration within the Linux kernel.
  • Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs):
    • Development of intuitive and responsive graphical user interfaces, enhancing user experience in embedded applications.

Build Systems:

  • Yocto: Proficient in using Yocto Project for creating custom Linux distributions tailored to specific hardware platforms.
  • Buildroot: Skilled in utilizing Buildroot for building lightweight, embedded Linux systems with a focus on simplicity and customization.
  • PTXdist: Experience in using PTXdist for automating the creation of embedded Linux systems, supporting a wide range of target platforms and configurations.

Embedded Linux & BSP

At Mitkov Systems GmbH, based in Hessen, Germany, we provide specialized embedded Linux development services designed for robust and high-performance systems. We help businesses harness the power and flexibility of Linux for their embedded applications.

Our expertise includes comprehensive Linux Board Support Package (BSP) customization, ensuring your hardware is fully supported and optimized for the Linux operating system. We offer dedicated Yocto Project development support, enabling you to build highly customized and efficient Linux distributions tailored to your specific device needs.

We develop essential low-level components, including robust kernel driver development, to ensure seamless interaction between your hardware and the Linux kernel. Our team is skilled in precise device tree configuration and debugging, crucial for correctly defining hardware resources and peripherals.

Our focus includes powerful processors, with significant experience in deploying Linux on ARM Cortex-A architectures, perfect for demanding embedded applications. We handle critical startup processes through bootloader configuration (embedded Linux), ensuring your system initializes reliably.

For enhanced system integrity and protection, we provide solutions for secure boot and U-Boot development, safeguarding your device from unauthorized software modifications from the very first power-on.

Location

Conveniently located in Hessen, Germany, our base near Frankfurt, Darmstadt, and Bensheim means we're always within reach. This central European location facilitates efficient collaboration and provides direct access to a robust network of businesses and resources.

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