Performance Bottlenecks in Embedded Linux Solutions Analysis, Identification, and Mitigation

Good performance is a requirement for every technology, and system designers rely on operating systems to ensure fast and smooth transitions in critical applications. Fortunately, Pedro writes, the embedded Linux OS offers ways for finding, analyzing and mitigating performance bottlenecks so embedded systems can deliver the speed and efficiency that end users expect.

- Pedro Bertoleti

Performance bottlenecks in embedded systems are limitations that restrict a system's speed and efficiency. This article identifies the common performance bottlenecks in embedded Linux solutions, and shows us some methods and tools for identifying, analyzing, and mitigating them.

The world of technology today seems to obey the famous quote of philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus, who said, "The only constant is change." In terms of innovation, technology is one of the most dynamic: Rapidly evolving, and changes can seemingly occur overnight. There's one exception, however: Good performance. This is a constant requirement for every single technology.

Technology exhibiting poor performance won't be used extensively, end users won't like it, and it will quickly die.

For embedded operating systems (OS), good performance is critical because the software often handles critical solutions that must be fast and smooth, like safety controls in motor vehicles. This is also true for embedded Linux.

This article explores some methods and tools for analyzing the performance bottlenecks of embedded Linux-helping to identify them and giving some insights on how to mitigate them.

PERFORMANCE BOTTLENECKS

Unfortunately, the term, "performance bottlenecks analysis" isn't very precise, as long as it can comprise a wide range of definitions, from user experience metrics to specific hardware metrics. This means that first, you must determine a common base for the analysis, which corresponds to defining which topics (or points of view) will be taken in consideration.