subject: The Android application in the embedded medical devices [print this page] The Android application in the embedded medical devices
In the past ten years, especially in recent years, the developers grow interested in applying the windows, windows CE and Linux to the medical devices. Now the medical devices user wants the medical devices to be with advanced interfaces. And many developers have the experience to use the operating system and tool on the wholesale computer. If you want to choose an operating system for the developing of the embedded medical device, there are two typical options-Microsoft Windows CE and Linux.
The Windows CE is a totally integrated developing platform. Some developers don't like the windows CE. But it can launch a program in a fast and simple way. And it needs the payment of royalties. And the code library is controlled by the Microsoft Company.
The Linux has the huge superiority of free and open source code. But there is obstacle to use it in the embedded devices. The Linux is originally designed for the computer. To launch an embedded program in the Linux, the developers should spend weeks of time to build the lightweight software image.
Therefore, in the past, people will choose the easy to use windows CE or the free and open Linux. Google Android takes short time to enter into the embedded field. In general, Android is to provide a full function embedded system frame based on the Linux. It makes the Linux to be easy to use like windows CE.
Google published the Android in November, 2007 for the first time. It's regarded as an operating system for smartphone. Within three years, Android has become the most popular smartphone operating system. Half of the smarphones use the Android operating system. About 100 million Android mobile phones enter into the market each year.
Later the developers realize except for the mobile phone, Android can also appy its talents in the embedded application. Now many embedded devices and mobile phones have the same features including small sized touch screen, rich graphical user interface, low power consuming processor and rich connecting options (wireless, bluetooth honeycomb).
In view of the reliability, the medical device developers lag a little in applying the new technology. When the new technology is mature, they will use it in the devices supervised by American FDA. But the Android is the hybrid.Thought this is a new technology, Android is based on the Linux technology. And the tested Linux technology is well known to people in the industry.
