Real-Time Linux & Zephyr RTOS on the Rise

Real-time capabilities in the Linux kernel have made significant progress in recent years. With the ongoing integration of the PREEMPT-RT patch into the mainline kernel, Linux is becoming a serious contender for real-time applications—ranging from industrial automation to robotics, medical systems, and the automotive industry. The ability to guarantee predictable response times while retaining the versatility and ecosystem of standard Linux makes it highly attractive to developers and enterprises alike.

An expanding ecosystem of tools, growing support from chip manufacturers, and mature real-time Linux distributions (such as Xenomai or PREEMPT-RT via Yocto) further strengthen Linux’s position in mission-critical environments.

Zephyr: Lightweight Real-Time Performance for Microcontrollers

Alongside full Linux, the Zephyr RTOS is gaining traction as a lightweight alternative designed for microcontroller-based systems. Its low-latency performance, small footprint, and modular open-source design—backed by the Linux Foundation—make it an ideal fit for precise control tasks with minimal hardware resources.

A notable use case comes from emtrion, which employs Zephyr on its emSTAMP-Neon Developer Kit. Based on an STM32 microcontroller, the platform enables compact, energy-efficient real-time applications—perfect for edge computing, sensor networks, or industrial control systems. The combination of Zephyr for real-time control and Linux for high-level processing and connectivity offers a flexible and modern architecture for Industrial IoT (IIoT) solutions.

Real-time Linux continues to evolve, expanding its relevance across industries. The combined use of Linux and Zephyr—as demonstrated by emtrion—highlights how real-time demands can now be met across both high-end and resource-constrained environments. This opens the door to smarter, connected, and more reliable embedded systems.

For more information, visit our website at https://www.emtrion.de/en/services/software-development/operating-systems/ or call us at +49 (0)7244 626 94-0.