Symbian Platform+Overview

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SymbianSymbian

Platform OverviewPlatform Overview


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Operating System?Operating System?

Software ProgramSimilar in thisSoftware ProgramSimilar in thisSense to Other ProgramsSense to Other Programs

Resource EncapsulationLensResource EncapsulationLensthrough which Users and Applicationsthrough which Users and Applications

View System Resources like HardView System Resources like Hard

disk, DVD drives, Networks.disk, DVD drives, Networks.


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Operating System?Operating System?

Binds Hardware and SoftwareBinds Hardware and SoftwareTogetherTogether

Software Applications

System Hardware

Operating System

Operating System is EssentialOperating System is Essential


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Symbian OSOverviewSymbian OSOverview

Designed withDesigned withSmartphones as theSmartphones as the

Target Platform in MindTarget Platform in Mind

Multitasking andMultitasking andMultithreadingMultithreadingSupportedSupported

Symbian OS Kernel isSymbian OS Kernel isMicrokernelMicrokernel

Mobile PhoneMobile PhoneManufacturers BuyManufacturers Buy

Licenses of SymbianLicenses of Symbian

Servers

System Hardware

Kernel

User Applications


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Symbian OSLayeredSymbian OSLayered

ModelModel Symbian OS is Structured in LayersSymbian OS is Structured in Layers OS is Decomposed in LayersOS is Decomposed in Layers Layers are Decomposed in Blocks and Sub-blocksLayers are Decomposed in Blocks and Sub-blocks

Blocks and Sub-blocks are Decomposed inBlocks and Sub-blocks are Decomposed inComponents or Collection of ComponentsComponents or Collection of Components

Layers are Highest Level of AbstractionsLayers are Highest Level of Abstractions Components are Lowest Level of AbstractionsComponents are Lowest Level of Abstractions

Layers and Blocks are Logical ConceptsLayers and Blocks are Logical Concepts Components are Physical Objects (Software Code)Components are Physical Objects (Software Code)


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ModelModel LayersLayers Each layer abstracts the functionality of the layer beneath and

provides services to the layer above Examples

OS Services Layer

UI Framework Layer

Blocks A block or sub-block roughly corresponds to a Technology

Domain Examples:

Telephony Services Network Services

Components Components are the basic entities of the model Common, Optional and Replaceable functionality is defined at

Component Level


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ModelModel Symbian OS is Shipped in Headless ConfigurationSymbian OS is Shipped in Headless Configuration Minimal User InterfaceMinimal User Interface Not Production Quality User InterfaceNot Production Quality User Interface

Mobile Phone Manufacturers EitherMobile Phone Manufacturers Either Develop their Own Production Quality User Interface or License a Suitable User Interface

Production Quality User Interfaces AlreadyDeveloped:

S60 (Series 60)Developed and Licensed by Nokia UIQDeveloped and Licensed by UIQ Technology MOAP (Mobile Oriented Application Platform)

Developed by FOMA (Freedom of Mobile Access)Consortium in Japan

Series 80 and 90Developed by Nokia but not Licensed

to Others


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UI Framework LayerUI Framework Layer

Top Most Layer of the Symbian OSTop Most Layer of the Symbian OS Provides Frameworks and Libraries forProvides Frameworks and Libraries for

Constructing a Customized User Interface on TopConstructing a Customized User Interface on Top

of Symbian OSof Symbian OS Fundamental Elements:Fundamental Elements:

UikonUikon Provides CProvides Customizable Control of the Overall GUILook & Feel

Control EnvironmentControl Environment Provides Basic Class HierarchiesProvides Basic Class Hierarchies

for User Interface Controls (also called CONE Hierarchy)for User Interface Controls (also called CONE Hierarchy) Front End ProcessorFront End Processor (FEP) Base Framework Provides(FEP) Base Framework Provides

Input Event Capture (Keypad events, pen events, etc.)Input Event Capture (Keypad events, pen events, etc.)

Animation FrameworkAnimation FrameworkProvides Framework forProvides Framework forAnimationAnimation


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Application Services LayerApplication Services Layer

Provides Support for ApplicationsProvides Support for Applications System Level ServicesSystem Level Services

Application Architecture (Basic Application Framework)Application Architecture (Basic Application Framework) Services that Support Generic Types of ApplicationsServices that Support Generic Types of Applications

vCardvCard vCalendarvCalendar Alarm ServerAlarm Server Data Synchronization ServicesData Synchronization Services

Services Based on Application Centric TechnologiesServices Based on Application Centric Technologies Mail (IMAP, SMTP, POP3)Mail (IMAP, SMTP, POP3) Messaging (SMS, MMS)Messaging (SMS, MMS) Browsing (HTML, XML, etc.)Browsing (HTML, XML, etc.)


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OS Services LayerOS Services Layer

Provides Servers, Frameworks, and Libraries that ExtendProvides Servers, Frameworks, and Libraries that Extendthe System Below Itthe System Below It

Broad Categories of Services SupportedBroad Categories of Services Supported Generic Operating System ServicesGeneric Operating System Services

Task SchedulerTask Scheduler Communication ServicesCommunication Services Telephony Services (GSM, CDMA, GPRS, EDGE etc)Telephony Services (GSM, CDMA, GPRS, EDGE etc) Networking Services (TCP/IP Stack Implementation, HTTP,SSL etc.)Networking Services (TCP/IP Stack Implementation, HTTP,SSL etc.) Short Link Services (Bluetooth, Infrared, USB, OBEX)Short Link Services (Bluetooth, Infrared, USB, OBEX)

Multimedia and Graphics ServicesMultimedia and Graphics Services Window ServerProvides Access to Screen HardwareWindow ServerProvides Access to Screen Hardware

Connectivity ServicesConnectivity Services Supports Interaction with Desktop Host to:Supports Interaction with Desktop Host to:

Perform Data BackupPerform Data Backup File Browsing and TransferFile Browsing and Transfer Software Installation from Desktop to DeviceSoftware Installation from Desktop to Device


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Base Services LayerBase Services Layer

Foundational Layer of Symbian OSSupports:

File ServerFile System Utilities

User LibraryBasic Programming Model for Symbian OS

Persistence ModelPersistent Storage Framework

Cryptography Library


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Kernel Services andKernel Services and

Hardware Interface LayerHardware Interface Layer Lowest Layer of Symbian OSLowest Layer of Symbian OS Contains KernelContains Kernel Abstracts Interfaces to UnderlyingAbstracts Interfaces to Underlying

Hardware e.g.Hardware e.g. Logical and Physical Device DriversLogical and Physical Device Drivers

Dependent on Underlying HardwareDependent on Underlying HardwareTo Port OS to new Hardware, KernelTo Port OS to new Hardware, Kernel

Porting is RequiredPorting is Required Kernel ModelsKernel Models

EKA1Original Old KernelEKA1Original Old Kernel EKA2Real Time KernelEKA2Real Time Kernel


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Java MEJava ME

Virtual MachineVirtual Machine

MIDPMIDP

CLDCCLDC Plugins for Interfacing with NativePlugins for Interfacing with Native

SystemSystem


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Symbian OSKey DesignSymbian OSKey Design

PatternsPatterns

System is A Number of CollaboratingSystem is A Number of CollaboratingComponentsComponents

Pattern1: ClientServer Relationship BetweenPattern1: ClientServer Relationship BetweenSystem ComponentsSystem Components Clients Request for ServicesClients Request for Services Servers Own and Share Services/Resources amongServers Own and Share Services/Resources among

ClientsClients All System Resources are Managed by ServersKernelAll System Resources are Managed by ServersKernel

Itself is a ServerItself is a Server

Window Server manages display resourcesWindow Server manages display resources Serial Server manages Data Communication HardwareSerial Server manages Data Communication Hardware Telephony Server manages Telephonic ServicesTelephony Server manages Telephonic Services Uikon Server manages GUI abstractionsUikon Server manages GUI abstractions Client and Server Run in their Own Separate ProcessesClient and Server Run in their Own Separate Processes

in Separate Memory Segmentsin Separate Memory Segments


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Symbian OSKey DesignSymbian OSKey Design

PatternsPatterns

Pattern2: Pervasive Asynchronous Methods inPattern2: Pervasive Asynchronous Methods inClient-Server CommunicationClient-Server Communication

Pattern3: Framework Plugin Model (also CalledPattern3: Framework Plugin Model (also Called

ECom)ECom) Used Extensively in All OS LayersUsed Extensively in All OS Layers

Framework is a Layer Between a Calling Client and anImplementation

Structure Internal Relationships Among Parts of theStructure Internal Relationships Among Parts of theSystemSystem FlexibilityLoading Functionality and Resources onFlexibilityLoading Functionality and Resources on

DemandDemand

ExtensibilityAddition of Behavior without Re-EngineeringExtensibilityAddition of Behavior without Re-Engineeringthe Systemthe System


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UI PlatformsUI Platforms

S60S60 Developed and Licensed by NokiaDeveloped and Licensed by Nokia One-handed Use (keypad, 5-way navigator, softOne-handed Use (keypad, 5-way navigator, soft

keys)keys) Nokia N95, E65,Nokia N95, E65, http://www.s60.com

UIQUIQ Developed by UIQ Technology Owned byDeveloped by UIQ Technology Owned by

SonyEricssonSonyEricsson One & Two Hand UseOne & Two Hand Use Touch Screen and/or Keys SupportedTouch Screen and/or Keys Supported Sony Ericsson P990, W950, W960iSony Ericsson P990, W950, W960i http://http://www.uiq.comwww.uiq.com

MOAP (Mobile Oriented Application Platform)Developed by FOMA (Freedom of Mobile Access)Consortium in Japan

Closed Platform i.e. Does not Allow Users to InstallApplications

Series 80 and 90Developed by Nokia but notLicensed to Others. Now Integrated in S60

UI Platforms

System Hardware

Operating System
http://www.s60.com/http://www.uiq.com/http://www.uiq.com/http://www.uiq.com/http://www.uiq.com/http://www.uiq.com/http://www.uiq.com/http://www.s60.com/


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S40S40

Uses Relatively Simple OperatingUses Relatively Simple OperatingSystemSystem

Do Not Support MultitaskingDo Not Support Multitasking Do Not Support Development forDo Not Support Development for

Native PlatformNative Platform

Only Support Java ME i.e. MIDletsOnly Support Java ME i.e. MIDlets Nokia 6300Nokia 6300


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ReferencesReferences

The Symbian OS ArchitectureThe Symbian OS ArchitectureSourcebook by Ben MorrisSourcebook by Ben Morris

Smartphone Operating SystemSmartphone Operating SystemConcepts with Symbian OS byConcepts with Symbian OS by

Michael J. JippingMichael J. Jipping

Documents

Symbian Platform+Overview