Tips and Techniques for Improving Embedded Linux Startup Time

The requirement for 'instant-on' capability in consumer electronics, ranging from cellphones to mobile internet devices to automotive platforms, has become a necessity. Customers expectations for instant data or multimedia access has been increasing with trendy gadgets being released in the market. With the proliferation of Linux in these devices, it becomes essential to optimize the boot up time to meet the requirements. A typical Linux embedded system contains a bootloader and kernel, both of which are typically configured with many useful default features. This session examines techniques to reduce boot time while preserving the base functionality required of typically configured embedded Linux systems.
Topics covered:

• Challenges facing consumer product design

• Embedded hardware and software platforms to address these challenges

• Software techniques to decrease boot time

• Overview of boot sequence

• Bootloader optimizations

• Linux kernel optimizations