Enterprise-class embedded Linux covers multiple processor architectures

With the growth of internet of things (IoT) and other smart devices, it is becoming increasingly complex and expensive for manufacturers to develop embedded distributions and applications for these devices based on the Linux operating system. Siemens PLM Software today announced a new enterprise Mentor Embedded Linux (MEL) solution that provides electronics manufacturers secure, scalable and configurable distributions for industrial, medical, aerospace and defense applications. This new MEL technology is a configurable distribution that provides a robust operating system platform for embedded systems development and is a result of the continued integration of the recently acquired embedded systems design capabilities from Mentor Graphics. The solution is based on Debian, a broadly utilized, enterprise-class, open source Linux operating system.

The new Siemens enterprise technology provides the stability, full features, and ease-of-use benefits of an enterprise solution, and the performance, customizability and footprint of an embedded operating system. An internal team of embedded Linux experts originally developed this robust solution for use on critical Siemens automation equipment. Now commercially available, embedded developers can utilize this proven solution and thereby mitigate the costs and risks of moving to Linux.

The large number of pre-built and fully-tested binary packages integrated in the Siemens enterprise MEL solution provide all of the general features and parameters in the software platform so a large number of users can install it and use it with ease. This can make standard implementation across organizations much easier and more efficient. The Siemens binary MEL solution also includes a stable kernel, a robust toolchain, both with broad community support. This community support, combined with the commercial support and development power of Siemens, allows for increased development productivity and agility.

Embedded developers can stay up to date with available security patches and product updates, enabling enterprise-class standardization and maintenance. The new Linux solution enables support for secure field updates, and application isolation. Customers can thereby realize the cost efficiencies related to remotely maintaining and updating their devices. This solution is also multicore-enabled to consolidate multiple heterogeneous runtime environments using today’s most advanced processor architectures, leveraging the Mentor Embedded Multicore Framework. This helps enable embedded developers to quickly build systems that integrate the Siemens binary Linux, and the Nucleus^® real-time operating system (RTOS) on complex system-on-chip (SoC) processors. 

The enterprise-class MEL is cloud-enabled, supporting industry-standard cloud and IoT technologies such as XMPP, MQTT, AMQP, CoAP, and RESTful API support. Development and analysis tools are included for configuration and optimization of the operating system (OS) so customers can analyze the state and operation of the embedded platform. The industry-proven Sourcery™ Analyzer technology can generate time-series data for OS/platform diagnostics and device profiling. In addition, Siemens’ embedded team of experts can provide support, training, and professional services, from basic support and updates/upgrades to critical security defects patches, platform extensions and customized training.

The binary solution based on Debian supports multiple leading hardware architectures and will ship in Q2, and will be showcased at Embedded World 2019, February 25-28, 2019 in Nuremberg, Germany (Mentor booth, Hall 4, #4-643). A MEL version based on the Yocto  Project is also available.