Zephyr (operating system)

Zephyr is a small real-time operating system[3] for connected, resource-constrained and embedded devices (with an emphasis on microcontrollers) supporting multiple architectures and released under the Apache License 2.0. Beyond its kernel, Zephyr includes all the components and libraries needed to develop a full application such as device drivers, protocol stacks, file systems, and firmware updates.[4]

Zephyr
DeveloperLinux Foundation,
Wind River Systems
Written inC
OS familyReal-time operating systems
Working stateCurrent
Source modelOpen source
Initial release17 February 2016 (2016-02-17)[1]
Latest release2.4.0 / 27 September 2020 (2020-09-27)[2]
Repository
Marketing targetInternet of things
Available inEnglish
PlatformsARM (Cortex-M0, Cortex-M1, Cortex-M3, Cortex-M4, Cortex-M7, Cortex-M23, Cortex-M33, Cortex-R4, Cortex-R5, Cortex-A53), x86, x86-64, ARC, RISC-V, Nios II, Xtensa
Kernel typeMonolithic
LicenseApache 2.0
Preceded byWind River Rocket
Official websitewww.zephyrproject.org

History

In November 2015, it was originally developed as Rocket[5][6][7] kernel by Wind River Systems for Internet of things (IoT) devices.[8]

In February 2016, Zephyr became a project of the Linux Foundation.[9][1]

Since then, early members and supporters of Zephyr include Intel, NXP Semiconductors, Synopsys, Linaro,[10] Texas Instruments, DeviceTone, Nordic Semiconductor, Oticon, and Bose.[11]

Features

Zephyr intends to provide all components needed to develop resource-constrained and embedded or microcontroller-based applications. This includes, but is not limited to:[12]

  • A small kernel
  • A flexible configuration and build system for compile-time definition of required resources and modules
  • A set of protocol stacks (IPv4 and IPv6, OMA LWM2M, MQTT, 802.15.4, Bluetooth Low Energy, CAN)
  • A virtual file system interface with several flash file systems for non-volatile storage
  • Management and device firmware update mechanisms

Configuration and build system

Zephyr uses Kconfig and device tree as its configuration systems, inherited from the Linux kernel but implemented in Python for portability to non-Unix operating systems.[13] The RTOS build system is based on CMake, which allows Zephyr applications to be built on Linux, macOS and Microsoft Windows.[14]

Kernel

The kernel offers several features that distinguish it from other small OSes:[15]

Security

A group is dedicated to maintaining and improving the security.[16] Also, being owned and supported by a community means the world's open source developers are vetting the code, which significantly increases security.[9]

See also

References
  1. "The Linux Foundation Announces Project to Build Real-Time Operating System for Internet of Things Devices". Zephyr Project. Linux Foundation. 17 February 2016.
  2. "Zephyr v2.4.0".
  3. "Meet Linux's little brother: Zephyr, a tiny open-source IoT RTOS". LinuxGizmos.com. 2016-02-17. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  4. "Zephyr Project documentation: Introduction".
  5. "MCU Commercial Free RTOS for small embedded edge devices: Rocket". windriver.com. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  6. "Wind River Sets Rocket RTOS On Free Trajectory". EEJournal. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  7. "Internet of Things".
  8. Patel, Niheer (17 February 2016). "Wind River Welcomes Linux Foundation's Zephyr Project". Wind River Systems.
  9. Guerrini, Federico (2016-02-19). "The Internet of Things Goes Open Source with Linux Foundation's Zephyr Project". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
  10. Osborne, Charlie (2016-02-19). "The Linux Foundation's Zephyr Project: A custom operating system for IoT devices". ZDNet. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
  11. "Zephyr Project Members".
  12. "Zephyr Project documentation: Introduction".
  13. "scripts/ folder on GitHub". 12 May 2020.
  14. "Application Development – Zephyr Project Documentation". Zephyr Project.
  15. "Zephyr Project documentation: Introduction".
  16. Wallen, Jack (2016-02-18). "Linux Foundation announces Zephyr Project, an open source IoT operating system". TechRepublic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
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