Open-source version of Eclipse ThreadX gets backing from RTOSX
In the world of embedded software, a significant shift is underway, as open-source real-time operating systems (RTOS) are gaining prominence. Among these, Eclipse ThreadX, RTOSX, and PX5 RTOS are making waves, combining technical robustness, safety certification, and commercial support.
First introduced in 1997 by Bill Lamie at Express Logic, ThreadX is a real-time operating system (RTOS) primarily written in C. Initially a closed-source, proprietary product, it has since evolved to become an open-source project following Microsoft's donation to the Eclipse Foundation in 2023, resulting in the Eclipse ThreadX project.
Eclipse ThreadX now stands as a prominent open-source RTOS with strong industry backing. Its open-source nature, particularly as the first open-source, safety-certified RTOS, has spurred the creation of the ThreadX Alliance in late 2024 to ensure its long-term sustainability, safety certification, and broader adoption in safety-critical embedded systems.
For users of ThreadX who require commercial support and certification, RTOSX offers a viable solution. RTOSX is a commercially supported distribution of Eclipse ThreadX provided by PX5 RTOS. It brings professional certification and commercial support services to ThreadX users, addressing industry demands for qualified safety certifications and reliability needed in embedded applications.
PX5 RTOS, founded by Bill Lamie (the original creator of ThreadX), offers RTOSX and actively participates in evolving the ThreadX ecosystem. PX5 RTOS leverages the heritage of ThreadX’s efficient picokernel design and adds commercial services, certification expertise, and extended support, making it a key player in the RTOS landscape, particularly for applications requiring certified safety and industrial-grade reliability.
The PX5 RTOS is MISRA C compliant, like Eclipse ThreadX, and is built around the POSIX API, making it a potential better alternative for new applications requiring certifiable RTOS support. POSIX is a standard API used by RTOSes and other operating systems, offering easier software migration.
In the broader open-source RTOS landscape, these projects provide open-source safety-certified RTOS options, enabling innovation and sustainability through community collaboration under the Eclipse Foundation governance and industry alliances. They serve embedded and safety-critical industries such as automotive, aerospace, and IoT, where predictable real-time performance with safety certification is increasingly required.
ThreadX, with its priority-based, preemptive scheduler and minimal footprint of around 2 kB on an Arm Cortex-M architecture processor, continues to be a solid choice for new applications built on ThreadX that need these additional features. Moreover, ThreadX SMP added support for multicore platforms, further extending its versatility.
In conclusion, Eclipse ThreadX, RTOSX, and PX5 RTOS collectively represent a significant step forward in the realm of real-time embedded software. By combining technical robustness, safety certification, and commercial support, these open-source RTOS solutions are advancing the state of the art beyond proprietary constraints while meeting stringent industry standards.
References: [1] PX5 RTOS. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.px5rtos.com/ [2] Eclipse Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.eclipse.org/ [3] Express Logic. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.expresslogic.com/ [4] ThreadX Alliance. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.threadxalliance.org/
- The shift towards open-source real-time operating systems (RTOS) in the embedded software world is exemplified by the evolution of Eclipse ThreadX, a once closed-source product, into an open-source project following Microsoft's donation to the Eclipse Foundation in 2023.
- PX5 RTOS, a commercially supported distribution of Eclipse ThreadX, brings professional certification and commercial support services to ThreadX users, positioning itself as a key player in the RTOS landscape for applications requiring certified safety and industrial-grade reliability.
