#018 - Zephyr RTOS with Brendon Slade cover art

#018 - Zephyr RTOS with Brendon Slade

#018 - Zephyr RTOS with Brendon Slade

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 NXP's Brendan Slade discusses why major semiconductor companies are investing heavily in Zephyr RTOS, exploring how this open-source real-time operating system is transforming embedded development for IoT and edge computing applications. The conversation covers NXP's role as a founding platinum member of the Zephyr project, practical advice for developers evaluating RTOS options, and the collaborative ecosystem driving innovation in microcontroller software development.

Key Takeaways:

• Zephyr provides integrated middleware beyond just a kernel, unlike traditional RTOS options like FreeRTOS
• NXP was a founding platinum member of Zephyr project to drive strategic direction for microcontroller enablement
• Device tree configuration is the biggest learning curve hurdle, but once mastered, enables easy hardware portability
• The Zephyr project has ~50 members including major OEMs from automotive, industrial, and consumer sectors
• All code contributions require pull requests, tests, and peer review - no single company can force changes
• Power management infrastructure is built into Zephyr drivers, enabling faster development of low-power applications
• Training resources are available from multiple partners, and NXP offers Visual Studio Code extensions for easier development
• The MCX N947 Freedom board (~$30) provides an excellent platform for exploring Zephyr capabilities
• Future focus areas include AI enablement, cybersecurity compliance, and higher-level application frameworks
• Companies should invest in device tree training first, then start with evaluation boards to assess portability benefits
No reviews yet