What Is RTLinux?
RTLinux grew out of real-time research and open-source development started at New Mexico Tech more than a decade ago. Today, RTLinux technology is deployed in projects across a wide range of applications, including industrial control, instrumentation, communications and networking, and aerospace and defense.
Through the efforts of Wind River—which acquired FSMLabs in February 2007—and resources from the open-source community, RTLinux has evolved to address the needs of two distinct types of embedded Linux development projects:
- Open RTLinux: For academic, research, and other open software projects that include real-time functionality on a self-supported free software basis. (See the Open RTLinux Patent License.)
- Wind River Real-Time Core: For projects with stringent requirements for off-the-shelf, guaranteed real-time functionality in commercial-grade software, accompanied by professional support and services to meet pressing time-to-market goals
RTLinuxFree.com provides a mechanism for downloading, evaluating, and using RTLinux technology, subject to the terms and restrictions of the Open RTLinux Patent License. The license requires that all applications using the free RTLinux download be GPL licensed, and also requires that application source code be made publicly available on the Web. In exchange, Wind River provides royalty-free use of the patented RTLinux process.
Review the Open RTLinux Patent License and begin your download of RTLinux technology.
Version Comparison Chart
| Open RTLinux | Wind River Real-Time Core | |
| Linux Kernel Compatibility | 2.4/2.6 |
2.6 |
| GPL Licensing Requirements | Yes |
No |
| Source Code Provided | Yes |
Yes |
| Commercial Support | No |
Yes |
| Tested and Validated Real-Time Kernel | No |
Yes |
| Linux Distribution Provided | No |
Wind River Linux |
| Developer Tools Included | No |
Wind River Workbench |
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