INSIGHTS
Software platforms have unique pros and cons, with a direct impact on security performance. Alf Chang, Senior Consultant for A&S magazines and a former installer, looks at key features and design considerations.
Embedded operating systems (EOS) are fundamental in computing. The advantages of different systems depend on their functionality, reliability, cost, form factor, power consumption and more. Each EOS is evaluated by how it performs in harsh environments or when power is interrupted, and how the system recovers for stable and normal operation.
Examining the Differences Between Linux and Windows for Security Applications
Date: 2011/05/05
Source: The Editorial Team
Apart from data computing power, surveillance devices with complex intelligent algorithms will require more DSP processing. Different EOS systems will affect the equipment's software, the overall solution's scale and functionality. In terms of scale, the operator requires no delay from when a command is entered and the system responds. This holds true for video surveillance and safety deployments, with more exacting requirements for critical sites.
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The IT perspective for surveillance is similar to a computer user. DVRs or NVRs usually will open multiple windows to simultaneous view or record monitored areas. However, the more windows, the greater the load will be on the system. The system must simultaneously handle multiple computing tasks while maintaining smooth operation. If the processor's main unit deploys an EOS, it only requires suitable programs to be stored on the main controller unit (MCU) and then it can run. There is no need to burden it with taxing imaging algorithms. This enables surveillance equipment to run EOS on ARM MCU or Power PC architectures, with relatively simple processing demands and lower power consumption.
Megapixel or HD network cameras are impacted by the type of EOS running on their processors. Differences will affect decoding, display, computational speed, open source codes and the control interface. A network camera running at different processing speeds will affect how much resolution it can handle along with whether it can support 2-D or 3-D hardware acceleration. Whether a network camera can reach megapixel, 720p or 1,080p depends on the EOS and its impact on processor speed. The EOS will also affect multiple application processing and support for more efficient algorithms, such as Web browsing and file management. Regardless of whether the camera runs Linux or Windows, the size of the EOS will influence the camera's development and application.
As the Android platform enjoys rapid uptake, the EOS space has grown considerably. However, product makers still must decide between SoCs running different EOS. Each camera manufacturer has specific SoC partners, with the right EOS shortening development time and reducing cost for megapixel or HD camera. Most high-resolution camera models deploy the ARM architecture for efficiency, multimedia support and highly functional network surveillance equipment. The X86 chip is currently hot, making embedded CPU chips in high-resolution cameras a growing trend.
The rise of IP has propelled the networking of physical security. EOS determines a device's applications, affecting functionality, reliability, cost, physical size and other exacting system features. EOS has greatly increased the development of embedded surveillance systems, reducing R&D time for network cameras, DVRs or NVRs. Embedded equipment increases flexibility, transferability and portability. In the past five years, electronic security has progressed in technical innovation, making EOS a pivotal development consideration.