Zephyr: for embedded systems with limited resources

Zephyr is a relatively new solution to all the problems linked to the constraints of embedded systems, and more particularly connected objects. Appearing in 2015 within Wind River under the name Rocket OS, the project then came under the governance of the Linux Foundation in early 2016.

Smile & Zephyr

With the IoT market booming, application developers need a system on which to base their innovative solutions. These systems must meet the following constraints:

• Be lightweight , so as to run on limited hardware platforms, the cost of which must be as low as possible;
• Consume little , these devices can remain for several years without human intervention, operating on batteries;
• Provide efficient connectivity ;
• Respond to security issues raised by the explosion of the “connected” market.

Zephyr is a relatively new solution to all these problems but has nothing to be ashamed of in its youth.

Indeed, Zephyr has an active community with major sponsors such as Intel, NXP, Nordic or Texas Instruments (to name only the silicon foundries).

Zephyr aims to be multi-platform and thus manages numerous microphone architectures, such as x86, ARM, ARC, RiscV, ESP32, etc…

Above all, Zephyr stands out with a strong focus on security : which helps provide a more secure platform for product manufacturers.

FEATURES

Launched in November 2015 by WindRiver under the name Rocket OS, the project was renamed Zephyr and came under the governance of the Linux Foundation in February 2016.

Open, lightweight, scalable and modular, the Zephyr OS is dedicated to connected objects by meeting the different constraints and functionalities of this type of system.