Cost analysis for Embedded Linux?

Hi,

>       Am working on a project that aims to device an Embedded System
> which has serial input and GPRS output.
> 
> Like this
> 
> Serial data ====> Embedded System (using GPRS modem) ===> UDP/TCP to
> internet cloud.
>  (Input)
> (Processing)                                          (Output)

If You need just to collect data from serial port and sent it over GPRS 
You can do everything inside GSM module.
Almost all new modules supports scripting/high level languages (Python, 
Java, even C++) and has built-in TCP/IP stack.
In my opinion it will be cheapest solution.
Look for wavecomm, telit or siemens GSM modules.
I think, even simple processing of data could be done inside GSM module.

Best Regards
AK

In article <1173616795.372184.302510@c51g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>, 
a_simple_code <dhilip@gmail.com> writes
>Hi all,
>
>      Am working on a project that aims to device an Embedded System
>which has serial input and GPRS output.
>
>Like this
>
>Serial data ====> Embedded System (using GPRS modem) ===> UDP/TCP to
>This has to be very very cost effective hence. my question is
>Is there a Embedded Linux Distribution that has support for GPRS
>drivers and charges the minimum for commercial development (OS+
>Deveopment Tools) for three developers MAX.
>the linux distribution that does charges nothing/ negligible as run-
>time royalty/unit.
>or is there a link you can provide that gives me these data.  I did
>try my best with google but dint give me a proper answer.
>Thanks in Advance,

You can't afford Lunix for this.

If all you need is serial in and TCP/IP out what the hell do you need an 
RTOS like Linux for?   Whilst Linux is "free" for the SW (watch costs 
for time to get it all working)  I suspect that you could do your system 
on a small micro with very little memory.  It will cost you quite a lot 
per unit for the HW to run Linux and the app.

I am sure there are some FREE TCP/IP stacks around (
see http://www.embeddedinternet.com ) so you won't need an RTOS as well.



-- 
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
\/\/\/\/\ Chris Hills  Staffs  England     /\/\/\/\/
/\/\/ chris@phaedsys.org      www.phaedsys.org \/\/\
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Philippe wrote:
> a_simple_code <dhilip@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Thanks Dan but i don't want the Hardware Details.  Just the Cost
>> analysis of OS + Development Tools + RunTime royalty/unit (if any).
>>
>> For example with windows it goes like this
>>
>> *OS + Development Tools (WinCE + Platform Builder) = $995
>> *Runtime Royalty  = $3/Unit.
>> *Free Support for 5 years.

This omits some further estimates:
    Development machine OS (Some version of Windoze) = $500
    Cost of down time when it crashes (yearly)       = $2000
    Cost of auxiliary anti-virus software            = $70
    Yearly cost of maintenance of above              = $50
    Risk of MS theft (allowed per EULA)              = ???

not to mention that the MS support largely consists of "reboot.  If
it doesn't work reload".

> 
> With Linux, it goes like this
> 
> - OS + Development tools = $0 (*)
> - Runtime royalty = $0 / Unit (**)
> - Free support forever = $0 (***)
> 
> (*) The Linux operating system and most of the available userspace
> software are 'free for use under the GPL licence. The required tools
> are mainly an editor, (cross)compiler and debugger, all available
> under the same license.
> 
> (**) No ryalties involved. really.
> 
> (***) 'Free' support is something you can get from the community.
> Newsgroups, mailinglists, irc, etc. There's no toll-free 24/7 number
> you can call though, so you're on your own every now and then.

And try getting source for the suspected system from MS.

-- 
Chuck F (cbfalconer at maineline dot net)
   Available for consulting/temporary embedded and systems.
   <http://cbfalconer.home.att.net>



-- 
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

On Mar 12, 2:32 am, Chris Hills <c...@phaedsys.org> wrote:
> In article <1173616795.372184.302...@c51g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>,
> a_simple_code <dhi...@gmail.com> writes
>
>
>
> >Hi all,
>
> >      Am working on a project that aims to device an Embedded System
> >which has serial input and GPRS output.
>
> >Like this
>
> >Serial data ====> Embedded System (using GPRS modem) ===> UDP/TCP to
> >This has to be very very cost effective hence. my question is
> >Is there a Embedded Linux Distribution that has support for GPRS
> >drivers and charges the minimum for commercial development (OS+
> >Deveopment Tools) for three developers MAX.
> >the linux distribution that does charges nothing/ negligible as run-
> >time royalty/unit.
> >or is there a link you can provide that gives me these data.  I did
> >try my best with google but dint give me a proper answer.
> >Thanks in Advance,
>
> You can't afford Lunix for this.
>
> If all you need is serial in and TCP/IP out what the hell do you need an
> RTOS like Linux for?   Whilst Linux is "free" for the SW (watch costs
> for time to get it all working)  I suspect that you could do your system
> on a small micro with very little memory.  It will cost you quite a lot
> per unit for the HW to run Linux and the app.
>
> I am sure there are some FREE TCP/IP stacks around (
> seehttp://www.embeddedinternet.com) so you won't need an RTOS as well.
>
> --
> \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
> \/\/\/\/\ Chris Hills  Staffs  England     /\/\/\/\/
> /\/\/ c...@phaedsys.org      www.phaedsys.org\/\/\
> \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Thanks Everyone it was really helpfull.

In article <45F4B14A.B706E182@yahoo.com>, cbfalconer@yahoo.com says...
> Philippe wrote:
> > a_simple_code <dhilip@gmail.com> wrote:
> > 
> >> Thanks Dan but i don't want the Hardware Details.  Just the Cost
> >> analysis of OS + Development Tools + RunTime royalty/unit (if any).
> >>
> >> For example with windows it goes like this
> >>
> >> *OS + Development Tools (WinCE + Platform Builder) = $995
> >> *Runtime Royalty  = $3/Unit.
> >> *Free Support for 5 years.
> 
> This omits some further estimates:
>     Development machine OS (Some version of Windoze) = $500
        XP Professional from NewEgg                      $279
>     Cost of down time when it crashes (yearly)       = $2000
      My experience with XP home over last year        < $700
>     Cost of auxiliary anti-virus software            = $70
       Free with Comcast Cable Modem service             $0
>     Yearly cost of maintenance of above              = $50
                                                         $0
>     Risk of MS theft (allowed per EULA)              = ???
> 
> not to mention that the MS support largely consists of "reboot.  If
> it doesn't work reload".
> 
> > 
> > With Linux, it goes like this
> > 
> > - OS + Development tools = $0 (*)
      Cost of Installation time 
      and search for IDE                     > $700
> > - Runtime royalty = $0 / Unit (**)
      Cost of time to learn yet another
      OS and figure out exactly where all
      the configuration files are hiding
                                             > $7000
> > - Free support forever = $0 (***)
> > 
> > (*) The Linux operating system and most of the available userspace
> > software are 'free for use under the GPL licence. The required tools
> > are mainly an editor, (cross)compiler and debugger, all available
> > under the same license.
> > 
> > (**) No ryalties involved. really.
> > 
> > (***) 'Free' support is something you can get from the community.
> > Newsgroups, mailinglists, irc, etc. There's no toll-free 24/7 number
> > you can call though, so you're on your own every now and then.
> 
> And try getting source for the suspected system from MS.
> 

Mark Borgerson

Mark Borgerson <mborgerson@comcast.net> wrote:
> In article <45F4B14A.B706E182@yahoo.com>, cbfalconer@yahoo.com says...
> > Philippe wrote:
> > > a_simple_code <dhilip@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > With Linux, it goes like this
>
>      Cost of Installation time and search for IDE > $700

IDE, what for ?

>      Cost of time to learn yet another OS and figure out exactly where
>      all the configuration files are hiding

Which is about the same time & amount it would cost me to learn to use
the Windows operating system. You should have learned the right OS right
away... 

(I just *love* these kind of discussions, let's discuss Vi vs Emacs and
Gnome vs Windowmaker after this!)

"AK" <arkkar@gazeta.pl> wrote in message 
news:et1l8r$b27$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
> Hi,
>
>>       Am working on a project that aims to device an Embedded System
>> which has serial input and GPRS output.
>>
>> Like this
>>
>> Serial data ====> Embedded System (using GPRS modem) ===> UDP/TCP to
>> internet cloud.
>>  (Input)
>> (Processing)                                          (Output)
>
> If You need just to collect data from serial port and sent it over GPRS 
> You can do everything inside GSM module.
> Almost all new modules supports scripting/high level languages (Python, 
> Java, even C++) and has built-in TCP/IP stack.
> In my opinion it will be cheapest solution.
> Look for wavecomm, telit or siemens GSM modules.
> I think, even simple processing of data could be done inside GSM module.
>
> Best Regards
> AK

The modules are pretty good.
For a cheap dev kit try sparkfun.

eval kit -   quad band module with python and gps
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=280   rs232
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=7917  usb

camera to plug into module
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=7906

Using a telit module http://www.telit.co.it/product.asp?productId=105

Alex 

Philippe <philippe@go.com> wrote:
> Mark Borgerson <mborgerson@comcast.net> wrote:
> > In article <45F4B14A.B706E182@yahoo.com>, cbfalconer@yahoo.com says...
> > > Philippe wrote:
> > > > a_simple_code <dhilip@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > With Linux, it goes like this
> >
> >      Cost of Installation time and search for IDE > $700
> 
> IDE, what for ?

To waste some time in most click-through-it way?

> >      Cost of time to learn yet another OS and figure out exactly where
> >      all the configuration files are hiding
> 
> Which is about the same time & amount it would cost me to learn to use
> the Windows operating system. You should have learned the right OS right
> away... 
> 
> (I just *love* these kind of discussions, let's discuss Vi vs Emacs and
> Gnome vs Windowmaker after this!)

If you plan to start it, this is my vote for Vi. ;)


M.

-- 
Windows could be an OS. You might as well build a tank with 16 lawn
mower's engines and a bucket.

> Using atelitmodulehttp://www.telit.co.it/product.asp?productId=105

Or win one for free:
http://www.epn-online.com/page/42115/three-compact-gprs-gps-developer-packages-to-give-away-win-a-fast-track-positioning-solution-bundled-with-access-to-the-track4free-server.html
Reader offer : Win this product
*** Three Compact GPRS GPS Developer Packages to Give Away ***
win a fast-track positioning solution bundled with access to the
www.track4free.com  server

Regards
Meff