Silicon Labs
  • ⟵ Back
    Products
    Lowest-Power Wi-Fi 6 SoC Available: Introducing SiWx917
    Wireless ProtocolsWireless Protocols
    Bluetooth
    Wi-Fi
    Thread
    Zigbee
    Multiprotocol
    Proprietary
    Z-Wave
    Amazon Sidewalk
    Wi-SUN
    Matter
    IoT TechnologiesIoT Technologies
    Channel Sounding
    Energy Harvesting
    LPWAN
    Machine Learning
    Security
    Non-WirelessNon-Wireless
    MCUs
    Sensors
    Interface
    Power Management
    ServicesServices
    Custom Part Manufacturing
    Developer Services
    Long Term SDK Support
  • ⟵ Back
    Applications
    Smart HomeSmart Home
    Appliances
    Entertainment Devices
    IoT Gateways
    LED Lighting
    Security Cameras
    Sensors
    Smart Locks
    Switches
    Industrial IoTIndustrial IoT
    Access Control
    Battery-Powered Tools
    Circuit Breakers
    Commercial Lighting
    Electric Submetering
    Factory Automation
    Human Machine Interface
    Predictive Maintenance
    Smart HVAC
    Smart CitiesSmart Cities
    Battery Storage
    EV Charging Stations
    Smart Agriculture
    Smart Buildings
    Smart Metering
    Smart Solar PV System
    Street Lighting
    Smart RetailSmart Retail
    Commercial Lighting
    Direction Finding
    Electronic Shelf Labels
    Loss Prevention
    Wi-Fi Access Points
    Connected HealthConnected Health
    Portable Medical Devices
    Smart Hospitals
    Smart Wearable Devices
  • ⟵ Back
    Developer Tools
    Simplicity Studio 5
    Fast track IoT development
    Developer ToolsDeveloper Tools
    Software Documentation
    Release Notes
    Github
    Technical Library
    Simplicity Studio
    Mobile Apps
    Software Development Kits
    Hardware Development Kits
    Gateways
    RTOS
    Developer JourneysDeveloper Journeys
    AI/ML
    Amazon Sidewalk
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Mesh
    Google Home
    Matter
    Wi-Fi
  • ⟵ Back
    Resources
    DocumentationDocumentation
    Blog
    Case Studies
    Software Documentation
    Whitepapers
    Technical Library
    TrainingTraining
    Tech Talks 2025 Series
    Works With 2024 On-Demand
    Webinars
    Curriculum
    Full Training Library
    SupportSupport
    Community
    Submit a Ticket
    Quality and Packaging
    How to Buy
    Report a Security Issue
    Contact Us
    PartnersPartners
    Partner Network
    Channel & Distribution
    Ecosystem Partners
  • ⟵ Back
    Company
    About UsAbout Us
    Board of Directors
    Community Commitment
    Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    Environmental, Social and Governance
    Management Team
    SustainabilitySustainability
    Environmental
    Supply Chain
    Quality
    News & EventsNews & Events
    Blog
    Press Room
    Events
    Investor RelationsInvestor Relations
    Annual Report and Proxies
    Board of Directors
    Financial Reports
    SEC Filings
    CareersCareers
    Careers
    Hyderabad Office
    Contact Us
English
  • English
  • 简体中文
  • 日本語
Ask AI
AskAI
Ask AI
//
Developers // Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)

RTOS

Real-Time Operating Systems

For many IoT projects, bare metal design, based on a simple loop in main(), is no longer a viable option. As more demands are placed on developers to implement complex communication protocols and adhere to strict timing constraints, the advantages of using the multitasking capabilities of a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) are increasingly clear. Silicon Labs has supported and promoted RTOS adoption for years and provides all of the tools needed to quickly get a new, multi-task project up and running.

RTOS Support in Simplicity Studio

It can be a challenge to manually add an RTOS to a new software project—especially for anyone not overly familiar with the RTOS’ source files, configuration parameters, typical build settings, etc., which is the reason Silicon Labs delivers RTOS code through the Simplicity Studio IDE. Developers leveraging Simplicity Studio IDE for IoT projects will find pre-packaged examples and helpful configuration tools that can accelerate the initial phases of an RTOS-based development effort.

 

Simplicity Studio RTOS Options

FreeRTOS

FreeRTOS is a lightweight and easy-to-use real-time kernel offered under open-source licensing terms.  Since its introduction nearly two decades ago, FreeRTOS has amassed a sizeable user base and has made its way into an incredibly diverse array of embedded designs. Example projects and configuration tools that streamline the creation of new FreeRTOS-based projects are delivered in Silicon Labs’ Simplicity Studio IDE.

Explore FreeRTOS

Amazon FreeRTOS

Development and maintenance responsibilities for FreeRTOS were officially taken over by Amazon in late 2017. Since that time, Amazon has expanded the original codebase with a collection of libraries, many of which are focused on enabling connectivity in the type of resource-constrained devices originally targeted by the FreeRTOS kernel. Silicon Labs has built support for Amazon’s libraries into Simplicity Studio, providing an intuitive framework for connected device development.

Explore Amazon FreeRTOS

Micrium OS

With Micrium OS, developers have a complete set of RTOS components to help meet the numerous challenges that designing for today’s IoT brings. Although it has roots in the commercial RTOS space, Micrium OS can be used at no cost in projects targeting EFR32 and EFM32 devices. The OS is delivered exclusively through Simplicity Studio, which includes a number of helpful, Micrium-based examples that streamline the early phases of new development efforts.

Explore Micrium OS

Simplicity Studio RTOS Comparison

    FreeRTOS Micrium OS
Kernel API Proprietary w/CMSIS-RTOS2 layer Proprietary w/CMSIS-RTOS2 layer
Scheduling Algorithm Priority-based, pre-emptive with support for time slicing Priority-based, pre-emptive w/support for time slicing
Resource Protection Mutexes and semaphores Mutexes and semaphores
Signaling and Communication Semaphores, event flags, queues (by copy), and task notifications Semaphores, task semaphores, event flags, queues (by reference), and task queues
Software Timers One-shot and periodic One-shot and periodic
Built-In Statistics Yes Yes
Ownership

Open-source project managed by Amazon

Developed and maintained by Silicon Labs
Licensing MIT Proprietary (Simplicity Studio MSLA), with no licensing costs on EFR32 and EFM32
Wireless Stack Support Bluetooth, Connect (proprietary wireless), OpenThread, Wi-SUN, and Z-Wave Bluetooth, Connect (proprietary wireless), Wi-SUN, and Zigbee
Additional Components
(delivered in Simplicity Studio)
Amazon FreeRTOS libraries, including BLE and Common I/O Micrium OS File System, IO Module and protocol stacks (TCP/IP, USB, and CAN)

Additional RTOS Options

Azure RTOS

Microsoft provides a number of software solutions for developers of connected devices, and Azure RTOS is one of the most recent additions to the IoT giant’s portfolio.  Whereas other Microsoft offerings, such as Windows IoT and Azure Sphere OS, have memory and processing requirements beyond the capabilities of many resource-constrained, Cortex-M-class devices, Azure RTOS is aimed squarely at hardware in this category.  Developers choose Azure RTOS to give themselves a thoroughly tested, highly efficient and reliable foundation for their IoT designs. 

Explore Azure RTOS

Zephyr

Zephyr is a comprehensive open-source software offering that includes a kernel, device drivers, and protocol stacks. It is maintained by the Linux foundation and supported by a number of different silicon vendors, tool providers, and other companies with an interest in open-source software. Examples for select Silicon Labs kits are available from the official Zephyr GitHub repo to help developers get started with this OS.

Explore Zephyr
Silicon Labs

Stay Connected With Us

Plug into the latest on Silicon Labs products, including product releases and resources, documentation updates, PCN notifications, upcoming events, and more.
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Community
  • Contact Us
  • Cookies
  • Corporate Responsibility
  • Investor Relations
  • Press Room
  • Privacy and Terms
  • Site Feedback
Copyright © Silicon Laboratories. All rights reserved.

Your File Will Start Downloading Shortly

Thank you for downloading .

If you have any issues downloading, please contact sales support or product technical support.

Close
Loading Results
Close

Please select at least one column.

STAGING-PUB1