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Master'sElectronics, Embedded Systems & Telecom Applications open

Master’s in Embedded Linux and BSP Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in embedded Linux and BSP engineering. 12 modules covering embedded Linux architecture, boot loaders and U-Boot, kernel configuration and Devicetree, board support packages, device drivers, Yocto Project, Buildroot, user space, performance and real time, system security and updates, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Build custom Linux distributions with Yocto Project and Buildroot.

02

Develop and port board support packages for modern SoCs.

03

Configure boot loaders and start-up sequences.

04

Program device drivers for the Linux kernel.

05

Optimise performance, boot time and power consumption.

06

Apply security mechanisms and robust update strategies.

07

Manage open-source licence compliance.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Embedded Linux engineers.
  • BSP developers.
  • Kernel driver engineers.
  • Systems integration engineers.
  • Embedded DevOps engineers.
  • Embedded platform architects.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the automotive industry.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Yocto Project Reference Manual (embedded Linux build system)
  • IEEE 1003.1 POSIX (portable operating system interface)
  • Devicetree Specification (hardware description for the kernel)
  • UEFI Specification (unified extensible firmware interface)
  • IEC 62443-4-1 (secure product development life-cycle requirements)
  • Linux Foundation OpenChain ISO/IEC 5230 (open-source licence compliance)
  • ISO/IEC 17960 (embedded Linux development)
  • GNU General Public License v2 (open-source licence)
  • Yocto Project
  • Buildroot
  • U-Boot
  • QEMU
  • GDB
  • Lauterbach TRACE32
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Linux system architecture
  2. 1.2Advantages and drawbacks compared with an RTOS
  3. 1.3Embedded ARM, RISC-V and x86 processors
  4. 1.4Components of an embedded Linux system
  5. 1.5Cross toolchains
  6. 1.6C libraries: glibc, musl and uClibc
  7. 1.7Root file systems
  8. 1.8Commercial embedded distributions
  9. 1.9The kernel ecosystem and community
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of a commercial embedded system
  1. 2.1Boot sequence of an SoC
  2. 2.2Boot ROM and first-stage loaders
  3. 2.3U-Boot: configuration and commands
  4. 2.4Network and storage boot
  5. 2.5UEFI and booting on ARM
  6. 2.6Passing parameters to the kernel
  7. 2.7FIT images and verification
  8. 2.8Boot time optimisation
  9. 2.9Recovery from boot failures
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: porting U-Boot to a board
  1. 3.1Linux kernel architecture
  2. 3.2Configuration and cross-compilation
  3. 3.3The Devicetree
  4. 3.4Devicetree overlays
  5. 3.5Kernel modules
  6. 3.6Patches and version maintenance
  7. 3.7LTS kernels and vendor branches
  8. 3.8Debugging kernel boot
  9. 3.9PREEMPT_RT patches for real time
  10. 3.10Lab: kernel configuration for a board
  1. 4.1Components of a BSP
  2. 4.2DDR memory initialisation
  3. 4.3Clocks, pins and regulators
  4. 4.4eMMC and NAND storage drivers
  5. 4.5Display, camera and multimedia
  6. 4.6SoC power management
  7. 4.7BSP validation
  8. 4.8Maintenance against new releases
  9. 4.9Documentation and delivery to the customer
  10. 4.10Workshop: building a minimal BSP
  1. 5.1The kernel device model
  2. 5.2Character drivers
  3. 5.3I²C, SPI and GPIO subsystems
  4. 5.4Platform drivers
  5. 5.5Interrupts and deferred work
  6. 5.6DMA and coherent memory
  7. 5.7IIO and input subsystems
  8. 5.8Synchronisation in the kernel
  9. 5.9Testing and debugging drivers
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: driver for an I²C sensor
  1. 6.1Yocto and Poky architecture
  2. 6.2BitBake and recipes
  3. 6.3Layers and meta-layers
  4. 6.4Machine and distribution configuration
  5. 6.5Images, packages and package managers
  6. 6.6Standard SDK and extensible SDK
  7. 6.7Reproducibility and shared state cache
  8. 6.8Continuous integration with Yocto
  9. 6.9Licence management in Yocto
  10. 6.10Lab: custom image with Yocto
  1. 7.1Buildroot architecture
  2. 7.2Configuration with menuconfig and packages
  3. 7.3Technical comparison with Yocto Project
  4. 7.4Minimal systems and fast boot
  5. 7.5Containers in embedded systems
  6. 7.6Debian-based distributions
  7. 7.7Dependency and version management
  8. 7.8Automated image testing
  9. 7.9Choosing the build tool
  10. 7.10Case study: minimal system with Buildroot
  1. 8.1systemd and BusyBox init systems
  2. 8.2Service and dependency management
  3. 8.3Inter-process communication
  4. 8.4Graphical interfaces with Qt and Wayland
  5. 8.5Network configuration with NetworkManager
  6. 8.6System logs and diagnostics
  7. 8.7Real-time applications
  8. 8.8Resource management with cgroups
  9. 8.9Lightweight containers on embedded devices
  10. 8.10Practical exercise: systemd service for an application
  1. 9.1Performance measurement with perf
  2. 9.2Tracing with ftrace and LTTng
  3. 9.3Latency with cyclictest
  4. 9.4Boot time optimisation
  5. 9.5Memory management and swap
  6. 9.6CPU affinity and isolation
  7. 9.7Power management with cpufreq
  8. 9.8File systems for flash
  9. 9.9Application profiling
  10. 9.10Lab: latency analysis with PREEMPT_RT
  1. 10.1Secure and verified boot
  2. 10.2Storage encryption
  3. 10.3Linux security modules
  4. 10.4System hardening
  5. 10.5CVE vulnerability management
  6. 10.6OP-TEE trusted execution environments
  7. 10.7Build chain security
  8. 10.8IEC 62443-4-1 requirements
  9. 10.9The Cyber Resilience Act
  10. 10.10Workshop: hardening a Yocto image
  1. 11.1A/B update strategies
  2. 11.2SWUpdate, RAUC and Mender tools
  3. 11.3Secure over-the-air updates
  4. 11.4Device fleet management
  5. 11.5Long-term maintenance
  6. 11.6GPL licence compliance
  7. 11.7Software bill of materials (SBOM)
  8. 11.8The OpenChain compliance programme
  9. 11.9Technical support throughout the life cycle
  10. 11.10Case study: A/B update system
  1. 12.1Selecting the platform
  2. 12.2System requirements
  3. 12.3Building the BSP
  4. 12.4Driver development
  5. 12.5Distribution integration
  6. 12.6Optimisation and security
  7. 12.7System validation
  8. 12.8Conclusions and future work
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme is compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original specification and applied exercises. The working software is Yocto Project, Buildroot, U-Boot, QEMU, GDB and Lauterbach TRACE32, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures for building a custom Linux distribution, porting a BSP to a new board and debugging kernel drivers. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: Yocto Project Reference Manual, IEEE 1003.1 POSIX, Devicetree Specification, UEFI Specification, IEC 62443-4-1, OpenChain ISO/IEC 5230, ISO/IEC 17960 and GNU GPL v2.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of the Yocto Project Reference Manual, POSIX and the Devicetree Specification applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Yocto Project, Buildroot, U-Boot, QEMU, GDB and Lauterbach TRACE32, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:a complete embedded Linux platform, from BSP and drivers to distribution integration, optimisation, security and validation, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

U-Boot port
Port U-Boot to a target board and configure the boot sequence.
Kernel and Devicetree
Configure and cross-compile the kernel and describe the board in Devicetree.
I²C sensor driver
Write, test and debug a kernel driver for an I²C sensor.
Custom Yocto image
Build a hardened custom image with Yocto layers, recipes and an SDK.
Master's Thesis
A complete, optimised and secured embedded Linux platform, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Embedded Linux engineerBSP developerKernel driver engineerSystems integration engineerEmbedded DevOps engineerEmbedded platform architect
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Yocto Project, Buildroot, U-Boot, QEMU, GDB and Lauterbach TRACE32, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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