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IoT operating systems are software platforms that run on internet-connected devices, enabling them to communicate, process, and store data. IoT operating systems are different from traditional operating systems in that they are designed to be lightweight, scalable, secure, and compatible with various hardware and protocols. This article will introduce you to 10 IoT operating systems you should know about in 2023.
Amazon FreeRTOS is an open-source operating system for microcontrollers that makes it easy to program, deploy, secure, connect, and manage small, low-power edge devices. Amazon FreeRTOS is based on the popular FreeRTOS kernel and extends it with libraries for cloud connectivity, over-the-air updates, device provisioning, and more. Amazon FreeRTOS is integrated with AWS IoT Core, a managed cloud service that lets you connect and manage your IoT devices at scale.
Tizen is an open-source, Linux-based operating system that supports various devices, such as smartphones, smart TVs, wearables, smart home appliances, and automotive systems. Tizen offers rich features and services, such as web and native application development frameworks, security modules, device management tools, and cloud integration. The Tizen Association, a consortium of industry leaders such as Samsung, Intel, Huawei, and LG, backs Tizen.
Windows 10 IoT is a family of operating systems optimized for building intelligent edge devices and solutions. Windows 10 IoT comes in two editions: Windows 10 IoT Core and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise. Windows 10 IoT Core is a minimal version of Windows 10 that runs on low-cost devices with limited resources, such as Raspberry Pi. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is a full version of Windows 10 that runs on more powerful devices with advanced capabilities, such as industrial PCs and kiosks.
TinyOS is an open-source system for low-power wireless devices, such as sensors, actuators, and radios. TinyOS is written in a dialect of C called nesC, which supports component-based programming and concurrency. TinyOS provides a modular architecture that allows developers to customize and optimize their applications for specific hardware platforms and network protocols. TinyOS is widely used in academic research and industry projects related to wireless sensor networks, ubiquitous computing, and cyber-physical systems.
Android Things is an operating system for building smart devices powered by Google services and technologies. Android Things is based on the Android framework and supports the same development tools and libraries as Android. Android Things simplifies the development of IoT applications by providing APIs for common tasks such as connectivity, authentication, cloud synchronization, voice interaction, and machine learning. Android Things also supports Google Play Services and Google Cloud Platform for seamless integration with Google's ecosystem.
RIOT is an open-source operating system for the Internet of Things that aims to be developer-friendly, resource-efficient, and IoT-optimized. RIOT supports a wide range of low-end to high-end devices and offers a standard API for programming in C or C++. RIOT provides real-time capabilities, multi-threading, modularity, network stack abstraction, and hardware abstraction. RIOT also supports communication protocols such as CoAP, MQTT-SN, 6LoWPAN, IPv6, RPL, TCP, UDP, and more.
Zephyr is an open-source operating system for resource-constrained devices that require security and connectivity. Zephyr is based on a microkernel design that enables modularity and scalability. Zephyr supports multiple architectures and boards and offers a unified development environment with tools such as CMake, Ninja, QEMU, GDB, and more. Zephyr also supports communication protocols, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), IEEE 802.15.4, Thread, CAN, OpenThread, and more.
Contiki is an open-source operating system for networked embedded systems that focuses on low-power wireless communication. Contiki supports various hardware platforms and offers a flexible programming model with optional dynamic loading and unloading of code modules. Contiki also provides features such as IPv6 support, RPL routing, CoAP application layer protocol, and more. Contiki is widely used in research and education related to the Internet of Things and wireless sensor networks.
Mbed OS is an open-source operating system for ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers that enables rapid development of secure and connected IoT devices. Mbed OS provides a full-stack solution that includes drivers, libraries, network stacks, security modules, and cloud services. Mbed OS also supports communication protocols such as BLE, LoRaWAN, Cellular, NFC, and more. Mbed OS is integrated with Mbed Cloud, a device management platform that allows you to provision, update, and monitor your IoT devices remotely.
Ubuntu Core is a minimal version of Ubuntu that is designed for IoT devices and cloud containers. Ubuntu Core is based on snap packages, secure, isolated, and transactional software units that can be updated and rolled back atomically. Ubuntu Core also supports various cloud and edge computing platforms, such as AWS IoT Greengrass, Azure IoT Edge, and Google Cloud IoT Core. Ubuntu Core is compatible with the Ubuntu ecosystem and offers access to thousands of snap applications.
These are some of the IoT operating systems that you should know about in 2023. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and you should choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences. IoT operating systems are constantly evolving and improving, so you should watch the latest trends and developments in this field.
