ThreadX will be available under the MIT license and holds certifications from IEC 61508, IEC 62304, ISO 26262, and EN 50128.
Microsoft has announced that Azure RTOS, including all its components, will become an open-source model as Eclipse ThreadX, under the Eclipse Foundation’s leadership. Azure RTOS is a widely used embedded development suite featuring the ThreadX real-time operating system (RTOS). ThreadX has over 20 years of development history, currently running on over 12 billion devices globally.
For vendor-neutral governance, the Eclipse Foundation will oversee ThreadX, ensuring impartial governance to manage its evolution and sustainability for the industry’s benefit. It is a prominent host of open-source IoT projects. The transition marks Azure RTOS’s evolution into Eclipse ThreadX, offering an embedded development suite with a robust, fast-performing operating system for devices with limited resources.
Recognized for its ease of use and reliability, Eclipse ThreadX supports numerous 32-bit microcontrollers and development tools, leveraging existing developer skills. Key advantages of Eclipse ThreadX include uninterrupted access to ThreadX technology, accelerated innovation through community involvement, a transparent development process for enhanced collaboration, and increased accessibility for diverse applications.
ThreadX holds certifications from IEC 61508, IEC 62304, ISO 26262, and EN 50128 by SGS-TÜV Saar and has achieved EAL4+ common criteria security certification. The unique certifications that ThreadX holds in the open-source RTOS landscape significantly set it apart from others in the field.
Microsoft is also forming an interest group to develop a sustainable funding model for ThreadX, with initial support from industry giants like AMD, Cypherbridge, NXP, Renesas, STMicroelectronics, Silicon Labs, and Witekio. The group aims to consolidate the project under Eclipse Foundation governance, preserve its certifications, build a vibrant community, promote the ThreadX brand, and grow its ecosystem.
Eclipse ThreadX will be available under the MIT license from Q1 2024, including ThreadX, NetX Duo, FileX, GUIX, USBX, LevelX, related tools, and documentation. Microsoft will continue to support the project with the latest certifications to maintain safety and security standards.
