The document discusses the significance of fast boot times in embedded systems, highlighting that slow boot can lead to severe consequences in critical applications. It provides various techniques for optimizing boot times, such as using targeted operating systems, removing unnecessary services, and leveraging specific optimizations for Qt. The introduction of Quickboot technology aims to enhance user experience by drastically reducing boot times and optimizing energy consumption.

1. Integrated Computer Solutions Inc.
Improving User Experience with Ubiquitous QuickBoot
Jeff Tranter, ICS
Andrew McNaughton, Ubiquitous AI

2. Integrated Computer Solutions Inc.
Jeff Tranter
Engineering Manager
ICS
Optimizing Boot Times for Embedded Systems

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Optimizing Boot Times for Embedded Systems
1. The Importance of Fast Booting.
2. OS/Linux Distribution Choice Considerations.
3. Specific Optimization Techniques.
4. Qt-Specific Optimizations.
5. Minimizing Impact on UI.
6. Summary and Conclusions.
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The Importance of Fast Booting
● Fast boot times are critical for embedded applications.
● Slow boot is, at best, an inconvenience (e.g. automotive IVI system).
● At worst, life and death (e.g. medical defibrillator).
● Cost impact: may require use of faster and more expensive hardware
platform.
● Increasingly challenging as software becomes larger and more complex at a
greater rate than hardware.
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The Importance of Fast Booting
● Conceptually, boot time is the time from power on to the device being fully up
and running, including user interface (if applicable).
● Will want to look at and optimize all the phases of booting:
● Power on -> SPL -> boot loader -> kernel -> init -> application
● Recommend measuring, quantifying, and focussing on slowest areas first.
● Will look at some specific approaches and techniques.
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OS/Linux Distribution Choice Considerations
● One approach is to use an operating system developed for desktop (e.g. Linux
or Windows) and adapt it to embedded.
● This will bring in many applications, processes, services which are not
required.
● While you can cut it down to only what is required, this can be a significant
effort and difficult to do at the end of the development process.
● Better to use an operating system/distribution designed specifically for
embedded (e.g. Yocto Linux).
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Remove Unused Services and Processes
● Minimize running services and processes to only those that are needed.
● Will help at boot and run time and reduce memory usage and CPU load.
● Also desirable for cybersecurity.
● Can start services on demand when needed.
● Systemd has some advantages over SysVinit (e.g. makes it easier to
parallelize job execution).
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Qt-Specific Optimizations
● Embedding files as Qt resources in the application generally improves
performance, but can be an issue for large assets like videos.
● Enable ahead-of-time caching of compiled QML so this does not happen at
run time and slow down the initial run of the application.
● Also has the benefit that the QML source code is no longer in the application,
making reverse engineering harder.
● Usually just need to add "CONFIG += qtquickcompiler"
● The application binary is typically only slightly larger.
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Misc. Techniques
● Explore optimal compiler and compile options.
● Remove any delays in your boot loader (e.g. U-Boot waiting for key press).
● Disable console.
● Remove unneeded drivers from kernel that scan for non-existent devices
(smaller kernel also boots faster).
● Memory checks in boot loader.
● Avoid/minimize file system checks on boot.
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Misc. Techniques
● Statically linked applications can start up faster (but may be licensing
implications for LGPL code, etc.)
● Use of compiled languages (e.g. C, C++) versus interpreted or JIT (e.g.
Python, Java).
● May want to use a small RTOS or "bare metal" to minimize application size
and boot time.
● Qt for MCUs is an option with RTOS or bare metal.
● Useful tools: grabserial, bootchart
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Minimizing Impact on UI
Various techniques to hide or minimize impact of boot time on the user:
● Splash screen early on startup.
● Run time consuming functions in the background so UI comes up earlier.
● Suspend/resume/hibernate solutions and products like Quick Boot.
● Always keep device running (impact on power consumption unless device can
go into a low power/sleep mode).
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Summary and Conclusions
● Fast boot times are critical for embedded systems.
● Various techniques to reduce boot times.
● Tackle it early: more difficult to solve late in the project.
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13. Integrated Computer Solutions Inc.
Andrew McNaughton
Senior Manager
Ubiquitous AI Corporation

14. Integrated Computer Solutions Inc.
Founded in 2001, Ubiquitous AI Corporation is a Leading Embedded
Software Development Company, headquartered in Tokyo,
Japan. Ubiquitous AI Corporation is a Public Company listed on the
JASDAQ Stock Exchange (3858).
https://www.ubiquitous-ai.com/en/
● Connectivity & Security
● Embedded Database - DeviceSQL
● QuickBoot
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What is QuickBoot ?
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● Advanced Hibernation Technology
● Rapid Boot from a complete Power Down State.
● Delivered as an SDK

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Uses
● Shorten the Boot Time for a better User Experience
● Use No Power State to Save Energy / Maximize battery
● Faster Development
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Over 40 Million Devices
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QuickBoot vs Hibernation
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Entire Image is
Restored
Prioritized Image
Restoration

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Super Fast Boot
● Unique Technologies:
The Snapshot Image only needs to be partially loaded
before the device is up and running
● Optimization:
QuickBoot’s Optimization Features help customers
optimize their Boot Time
● Compression:
Compress the Snapshot Image to reduce disk usage and
increase boot performance
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Experience
● Over 40 Million Devices with QuickBoot installed
● Millions of new devices ship with QuickBoot every year.
● Leverage Ubiquitous’ experience in developing great user
experiences and reducing cold boot times.
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SDK
● Source Code for Kernel, Bootloader and Storage Driver all
provided for easy debugging and integration
● Custom Core - ported to your development environment
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Technical Details
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Requirements
● ARM CPU - v5, v6, v7, v8 (AArch32, AArch64)
x86_64 CPU - Bay Trail, Apollo Lake
● RAM
- min. 192 KiB for QuickBoot BIOS
- avg. 8 MiB in Kernel
● Storage
- eMMC, SD, NAND, NOR
- Contiguous partition for Snapshot Image
● Linux - 3.x, 4.x, 5.x
Android 4 and above
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QuickBoot Software Stack
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QuickBoot Sequence
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Snapshot Creation Sequence
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QuickBoot Configuration
● Static Mode
● One Snapshot Image used for QuickBoot
● Settings and State must be restored Manually
● System Resumes to same State
● Dynamic Mode
● Snapshot Image Saved at Shutdown
● System Resumes to last State Automatically
● Settings Restored Automatically
● Android
● Install Apps, Restore Settings, OTA
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QuickBoot Features
● Read Boost
● Maximize eMMC throughput
● Minimize Preload time
● Interruptible
● QuickBoot can be interrupted at any time
● Concurrent Threads
● Implement own threads which run while QuickBooting
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Snapshot Customization
● Learning Feature
● Adjust Preload Data size
● Update Snapshot Image after QuickBoot
● Automatic
● Preload Customization
● Specify exact Memory ranges to add to Preload
● Manual
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Secure Boot
● Tampering Detection
● QuickBoot Binaries
● Snapshot Image
● Digest Lookup
● Integration
● ATF
● SoC / Hardware Key Store
● Encryption / Hashing
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QuickBoot Demo
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Linux on STMicroelectronics STA1295A
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Android on MediaTek MT2712
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DON'T WAIT. QUICKBOOT