The Open Source Automation Development Lab (OSADL) promotes and coordinates the development of Open Source Software for the automation industry.

Title

The Open Source Automation Development Lab (OSADL) promotes and coordinates the development of Open Source Software for the automation industry.

Author

Carsten Emde

Author Information

Open Source Automation Development Lab (OSADL)

Abstract

Developers of embedded systems for the automation industry apparently profit greatly from the unrestricted access to the program sources of Open Source Software. This is evidenced, for example, by the rapid increase of employing Linux in embedded systems. As a disadvantage, however, this branch requires that specific expansions of the operating system such as real-time capabilities must be implemented, the compatibility with these expansions must be certifiable, and standardized software interfaces must be available. Another limitation is that a particular company may not be willing to develop such generally requested software components at its own risk and costs, while the Open Source license requires that the software must be made available to the rest of the world. It would be much fairer, if all interested companies formed a consortium and shared the expenses of such software development among them.

This was the initial trigger to found the OSADL. Among others, the OSADL is acting as a "purchase community" of Open Source software, i.e. the membership fees are used to delegate the development of Open Source Software projects that a majority of the members is requesting for or agreeing to. The 16 member companies (as of August 2007) are machine, computer and software manufacturers, and Open Source Software service providers.

In addition, OSADL promotes the standardization of interfaces and components and offers the service to certify the conformance of a particular product with these standards. OSADL is also offering the participation at international fairs, publishing technical articles and organizing user meetings - thus, it provides many services a traditional software vendor would do but without vendor lock.

Last not least, OSADL has established a project on Safety Critical Linux led by Nicholas McGuire who has been nominated the OSADL Safety Coordinator.

The talk will explain in more detail the rationale and the concept of the OSADL and provide an overview about the various projects and their current status.

Keywords

Open Source Software, Standardization