embOS RTOS family
High-performance real-time operating systems
- Deterministic real-time behavior for precise control
- Optimized for efficiency and low resource consumption
- Certified RTOS variants for safety-critical applications
Overview
The embOS product family is structured into two main product lines:
embOS-Classic
Proven in billions of embedded systems
embOS-Classic is a mature, widely deployed RTOS optimized for efficiency and reliability. It forms the foundation of billions of embedded systems across automotive, medical, industrial, and consumer applications.
Highlights:
- Deterministic, priority-based scheduling
- Small footprint and high efficiency
- Broad microcontroller and compiler support
- Long-term stability with continuous maintenance
embOS-Ultra
Next-generation RTOS
embOS-Ultra is the next evolution of embOS. Its tickless architecture may lower power consumption to a minimum and provides precise cycle-resolution timing, making it ideal for energy-sensitive and battery-powered applications.
Highlights:
- Reduced power consumption through
tickless operation - Cycle-resolution timing in ms, µs, nanoseconds or CPU cycles
- High-precision timeout handling
- API-compatible migration from
embOS-Classic
Functional safety
Certified RTOS solutions for safety-critical systems
embOS supports safety-critical applications through a dedicated functional safety variant. For projects subject to regulatory requirements, embOS-Classic-Safe and embOS-Ultra-Safe are the appropriate choice.
It is specifically designed and certified for use in multiple safety-relevant systems, such as:
- Automotive applications in accordance with
ISO 26262 ASIL D - Medical devices in accordance with
IEC 62304 Class C - Industrial systems in accordance with
IEC 61508 SIL 3
Both embOS-Safe versions are accompanied by certified documentation and long-term maintenance support to facilitate compliance with international standards.
For safety-oriented system designs, memory isolation plays a key role. In embOS-Safe, MPU-based task isolation is already integrated into the safety concept.
Use cases
embOS is suitable for a wide range of use cases across a variety of embedded applications. In general, something that all use cases have in common is that they involve one or multiple microcontrollers or processors.
Automotive
Automotive systems require deterministic real-time behavior, long-term availability, and robust system design. embOS is suitable for a wide range of in-vehicle applications, including body electronics, control units, battery management systems, and communication gateways.
Its efficient scheduling, predictable timing, and support for safety-oriented development processes make embOS a reliable enabler for automotive software architectures.
Medical
Medical devices depend on precise timing, high reliability, and structured development processes. embOS supports applications such as patient monitoring systems, hearing aids, diagnostic equipment, infusion systems, and portable therapeutic devices.
With deterministic real-time behavior and the availability of embOS-Classic-Safe amd embOS-Ultra-Safe, the RTOS provides a solid basis for medical systems aligned with regulatory and safety requirements.
Industrial
Industrial systems rely on precise and predictable real-time control. embOS supports closed-loop control, motion control, and automation applications where deterministic behavior and minimal latency are essential.
Its efficient scheduling and low jitter ensure reliable operation under demanding real-time conditions. embOS-Ultra further increases timing precision, providing additional headroom for future performance requirements.
Home appliances
Home appliances use reliable and efficient control software to manage multiple functions simultaneously. embOS supports applications such as washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, and other smart home appliances.
With deterministic real-time behavior and efficient task scheduling, the RTOS ensures smooth coordination of sensors, motors, and user interfaces, enabling dependable operation in everyday household devices.
Supported devices
embOS supports virtually all popular microcontrollers and other CPUs. In general, if a core is supported, then all that is needed is a fairly simple board support package — either derived from an existing package, or selected from packages that SEGGER's engineers have already developed.
More details are available under embOS ports, as is a list of included board support packages.
For embOS-Safe variants, information about specific supported devices and ports or other standards is available upon request.
Licensing
The software is available under various embedded software license models and can be delivered as source code. All commercial licenses are based on a one-time payment, are royalty-free, and include six months of updates and support from SEGGER’s Embedded Experts.
There are no subscription fees, ensuring predictable and fixed costs over the entire product lifetime.
For non-commercial use, evaluation, and educational purposes, the software is provided under SEGGER’s Friendly License.
embOS empowers all SEGGER hardware products
SEGGER software is not only used by customers in their products. The very same software powers SEGGER’s own hardware solutions. J-Link, J-Trace, and Flasher devices integrate proven SEGGER software components to deliver consistent performance across all systems.
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