Embedded Linux: Expert Insights & Beginner Challenges

Linux is everywhere — web servers, supercomputers, and most of the world’s smartphones — and embedded Linux has long been a solid option for small systems too. Bootlin’s Michael Opdenacker explains what embedded Linux is, what’s changed in the last decade, and how beginners can start — tools, drivers, and real time.

Linux is everywhere — web servers, supercomputers, and most of the world’s smartphones — and embedded Linux has long been a solid option for small systems too. In this Elektor Engineering Insights episode, Michael Opdenacker (Bootlin) tells Stuart Cording what “embedded Linux” really means, what’s changed in the last decade, and how newcomers can get started without drowning in complexity.

What Is Embedded Linux?

It’s still Linux, but trimmed and configured for a specific device and use-case. Think minimal userspace, tailored kernel, and a boot flow you control. By that definition, Raspberry Pi OS is a general desktop OS, while Android (on phones/TVs) is an embedded Linux system. Find out more in the video below:

What’s Changed Since ~2012?

Cheap, powerful boards: Widespread availability of Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, and others put embedded Linux in easy reach.
New architectures: RISC-V is now a serious option, including fully open SoCs.
Toolchains: LLVM/Clang can build most of the stack — including the Linux kernel; Rust is entering system code.
Security focus: More connected devices mean more attack surface; kernel work continues to reduce nondeterminism and harden defaults.
GPUs: Open drivers have matured, making deployment simpler.
Build systems: Yocto Project (OpenEmbedded) is extremely flexible; Buildroot remains a simpler alternative.
LTS kernels: Community long-term support releases make sustained maintenance realistic.
Easier board bring-up: Device trees and mainline practices lower the bar.

Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian - all flavors of embedded Linux — Embedded Linux comes in many flavors.

Getting Started (Without the Pain)

Start small: use QEMU or a common board (Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, Libre Computer).
Build the three essentials: bootloader, kernel, and a tiny rootfs (BusyBox).
Grow features gradually: only add what you understand.
For peripherals, prefer kernel drivers over ad-hoc user-space libraries if you need portability and performance.
Use Linux as your build host (native or in a VM) so community help and scripts match your environment.

Real-TimeToday

PREEMPT_RT is close to being fully mainlined and can deliver bounded latencies suitable for many applications. Hard real-time needs careful system design (priorities, preallocation) and, in some cases, a dual-kernel approach such as Xenomai.