Deploy and Develop Software for Embedded Linux. Learn how to develop and deploy software for Embedded Linux based devices

Daniel Walkes

Offered By

Advanced Embedded Linux Development SpecializationUniversity of Colorado Boulder

What you will learn

Development of software for Linux user or kernel applications for Embedded Devices
Deployment of customized root filesystem or custom Linux distributions on Embedded Devices
Fundamentals of Linux System Programming, including Processes and Threads.
How to build a custom Linux kernel and root filesystem for an Embedded device.

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

This courses in this specialization can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5305 - 5307, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. This specialization provides students with the fundamentals of embedded operating systems including a working understanding of how to configure and deploy a Linux based Embedded System. Students will gain expertise in software tools and development methods which can be used to create applications and build custom Linux based Embedded Devices.

Applied Learning Project

This course will focus heavily on designing concurrent software for embedded systems applications using the Linux operating system. At the end of this course, students will be able to...

Configure, build and deploy the Linux kernel and root filesystem from source.
Build their own Embedded Linux distribution using Buildroot or Yocto frameworks.
Use System Programming concepts to develop application software for Embedded Devices, including File I/O, Threading, Signals, and time related POSIX APIs.
Write software for inter-thread and inter-process communication using sockets and signals
Debug concurrent software applications with command line GDB, Valgrind, and other software tools for debug, profile and tracing.
Create a custom Linux Device Driver
Understand Linux Driver related development topics, including debugging techniques, concurrency techniques, timing, memory allocation.
Showcase their knowledge in a final project which demonstrates course concepts on hardware.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

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Flexible Schedule

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Intermediate Level

Approximately 4 months to complete

Suggested pace of 15 hours/week

English

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Intermediate Level

Approximately 4 months to complete

Suggested pace of 15 hours/week

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

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How the Specialization Works

Take Courses

A Coursera Specialization is a series of courses that helps you master a skill. To begin, enroll in the Specialization directly, or review its courses and choose the one you'd like to start with. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. It’s okay to complete just one course — you can pause your learning or end your subscription at any time. Visit your learner dashboard to track your course enrollments and your progress.

Hands-on Project

Every Specialization includes a hands-on project. You'll need to successfully finish the project(s) to complete the Specialization and earn your certificate. If the Specialization includes a separate course for the hands-on project, you'll need to finish each of the other courses before you can start it.

Earn a Certificate

When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you'll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.

There are 3 Courses in this Specialization

Course1

Course 1

Linux System Programming and Introduction to Buildroot

4.2

stars

27 ratings

This course provides an overview of System Programming for the Linux operating system, or software which is interfacing directly with the Linux Kernel and C library. The basic components of a Linux Embedded System, including kernel and root filesystem details are discussed. The Buildroot build system is introduced, which students use to build their own custom Embedded Linux system through programming assignments.

Course2

Course 2

Linux Kernel Programming and Introduction to Yocto Project

This course provides an introduction to Kernel Driver development for the Linux operating system. The Yocto build system is introduced, which students use to build their own custom Embedded Linux system through programming assignments.

Course3

Course 3

Linux Embedded System Topics and Projects

This course is used as the capstone in a three course sequence, including Linux System Programming and Introduction to Buildroot and Linux Kernel Programming and Introduction to Yocto Project. Both of these courses must be completed before starting this course.

This course builds on the content in the previous two prerequisite courses to develop a final project of your choosing targeting Linux device targeting hardware. The final project is delivered using concepts from Agile Scrum. Several pertinent, recent, and relevant Embedded System development related topics are covered as a part of the course curriculum, which you may optionally choose to incorporate into your final project. Linux Embedded Systems Topics and Projects can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5307, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Instructor

Daniel Walkes

Scholar of Engineering Practice

Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering

5,938 Learners

3 Courses

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Can I just enroll in a single course?
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
Can I take the course for free?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.
Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?
This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.
How long does it take to complete the Specialization?
Approximately 3 to 4 months, equivalent to a full semester term, at 10 to 15 hours per week.
What background knowledge is necessary?
Experience in software development from an undergraduate Computer Science or Electrical Engineering background, or relevant industry experience. Knowledge of C Programming and embedded computer architecture. Working knowledge of Linux command line operations, shell programming, Git, makefiles is useful but also possible to obtain while taking the course.
Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
Yes, you must follow the order prescribed in the specialization as each course builds on the content in the previous course. The sequence is:
Linux System Programming and Introduction to Buildroot
Linux Kernel Programming and Introduction to Yocto
Linux Embedded Systems Topics and Projects
What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?
You will be able to answer interview questions related to the following topics:
What are some common open source licenses and what are the differences between them?
What are the fundamental components of an Embedded Linux software?
What is a cross toolchain and how does it work?
What is the difference between Linux Processes and Linux Threads?
What are some strategies for dealing with concurrency in Linux multithreaded programs?
What are some examples of Linux Interprocess Communication mechanisms and what are tradeoffs of each example?
What are some build frameworks for Embedded Linux devices and some tradeoffs of each?
Describe at a high level how user space software interacts with the Linux Kernel.
What are some differences in writing code for user space vs kernel space?
What are the steps involved in writing or modifying a Linux Kernel Driver?
Describe strategies for OTA or field update of Embedded Linux devices.
Will I earn university credit for completing this Specialization?
Advanced Embedded Linux Development is part of CU Boulder's Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MS-EE) program. Learners enrolled in the degree program will earn three credits for successful completion of the specialization.

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Advanced Embedded Linux Development Specialization

What you will learn

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

Applied Learning Project