Android is a Linux based operating system it is designed primarily for
touch screen mobile devices such as smart phones and tablet computers. The
operating system have developed a lot in last 15 years starting from black and
white phones to recent smart phones or mini computers. One of the most widely
used mobile OS these days is android. The android is software
that was founded in Palo Alto of California in 2003.
The android is a powerful operating system and it supports large number
of applications in Smartphones. These applications are more comfortable and
advanced for the users. The hardware that supports android software is based on
ARM architecture platform. The android is an open source operating system means
that it’s free and any one can use it. The android has got millions of apps
available that can help you managing your life one or other way and it is
available low cost in market at that reasons android is very popular.
The android development supports with the full java programming
language. Even other packages that are API and JSE are not supported. The first
version 1.0 of android development kit (SDK) was released in 2008 and latest
updated version is jelly bean.
Android Architecture:
The android is a operating system and is a stack of software components
which is divided into five sections and four main layers that is
- Linux kernel
- Libraries
- Android runtime
- Application frame work
Linux kernel:
The android uses the powerful Linux kernel and it supports wide range of
hardware drivers. The kernel is the heart of the operating system that manages
input and output requests from software. This provides basic system
functionalities like process management, memory management, device management
like camera, keypad, display etc the kernel handles all the things. The Linux
is really good at networking and it is not necessary to interface it to the
peripheral hardware. The kernel itself does not interact directly with the user
but rather interacts with the shell and other programs as well as with the hard
ware devices on the system.
Libraries:
The on top of a Linux kennel there is a set of libraries including open
source web browser such as webkit, library libc. These libraries are used to
play and record audio and video. The SQLite is a data base which is useful for
storage and sharing of application data. The SSL libraries are responsible for
internet security etc.
Android Runtime:
The android runtime provides a key component called Dalvik Virtual
Machine which is a kind of java virtual machine. It is specially designed and
optimized for android. The Dalvik VM is the process virtual machine in the
android operating system. It is a software that runs apps on android devices.
The Dalvik VM makes use of Linux core features like memory management
and multithreading which is in a java language. The Dalvik VM enables every
android application to run it own process. The Dalvik VM executes the
files in the .dex format.
Application frame
work:
The application frame work layer provides many higher level services to
applications such as windows manager, view system, package manager, resource
manager etc. The application developers are allowed to make use of these
services in their application.
Applications and Features:
You will find all the android applications at
the top layer and you will write your application and install on this layer.
Example of such applications are contacts, books, browsers, services etc. Each
application perform a different role in the over all applications.
Features:
- Head set layout
- Storage
- Connectivity: GSM/EDGE, IDEN, CDMA, Bluetooth, WI-FI, EDGE,3G,NFC, LTE,GPS.
- Messaging: SMS, MMS, C2DM (could to device messaging), GCM (Google could messaging)
- Multilanguage support
- Multi touch
- Video calling
- Screen capture
- External storage
- Streaming media support
- Optimized graphics
Android Emulator:
The Emulator is a new application in android operating system. The emulator
is new prototype that is used to develop and test android
applications without using any physical device.
The android emulator has all of the hardware and software features like
mobile device except phone calls. It provides a variety of navigation and
control keys. It also provides a screen to display your application. The
emulators utilize the android virtual device configurations. Once your application
is running on it, it can use services of the android platform to help other
applications, access the network, play audio, video, store and retrieve the
data.
Application of Android- Android Application Controlled Remote Robot Operation:
It controls the robotic vehicle using an
android application. The Bluetooth device is
interfaced to control
unit on the robot for sensing the signals transmitted by the android
application. The remote operation is achieved by any smart-phone or table etc
with android OS based on touch screen operation. The transmitting end uses an
android application device remote through which commands are transmitted and at
the receiver side , these commands are used for controlling the robot in all
directions such as forward ,backward and left or right etc.
The receiver end movement is achieved by two motors that are interfaced
to the microcontroller. The serial communication data sent from the android
application is received by a Bluetooth receiver that is interfaced to the
microcontroller.
Advantages:
- Android is Linux based open source operating system , it can be developed by any one.
- Easy access to the android apps.
- You can replace the battery and mass storage, disk drive and UDB option.
- Its supports all Google services.
- The operating system is able to inform you of a new SMS and Emails or latest updates.
- It supports Multitasking.
- Android phone can also function as a router to share internet.
- Its free to customize.
- Can install a modified ROM.
- Its supports 2D and 3D graphics.
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