Arduino and Runtime announced the introduction of the Apache Mynewt (incubating) open source operating system (OS).
Apache Mynewt is a composable OS for 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) that enables a variety of embedded devices, such as wearables, light bulbs, locks, doorbells, and other devices connecting the IoT. These devices must be operated for long periods of time, but are constrained in terms of power, memory, and storage. Apache Mynewt flexibly addresses these constraints in a hardware-agnostic manner by providing a real time OS that is easy to build, connect and manage.
Powerful Systems-on-Chip enable Rapid Prototyping and Innovation
32-bit MCUs are becoming ubiquitous, more and more powerful, and increasingly available in practical Arduino hardware designs, such as the Arduino hardware designs announced this week: the Arduino Primo, Arduino Primo Core, and Arduino STAR Otto.
32-bit MCUs are more affordable than CPUs in tablets and smartphones, but cannot run Linux or derivatives such as Android. IoT developers need a commercial-ready alternative to Linux that can run on these smaller, inexpensive processors. Additionally, Apache Mynewt is supported on the Arduino Zero, Arduino Zero Pro, and Arduino M0 Pro.
The World’s First Open Source BLE Implementation for MCUs
At Maker Faire, Runtime will demonstrate the Physical Web and Eddystone beacon functionality as well as Bluetooth Low Energy 4.2 (BLE) support on the new Arduino Primo, which features the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52832 System-on-Chip (SoC). The OS features the world’s first open source BLE implementation—down to the controller level. Benefits to developers include:
- access to source code;
- debugging through setting breakpoints, avoiding stack smashes, eliminating stolen interrupts;
- direct access to peripherals for granular power control;
- better, precise configurability of concurrent connections;
- flexibility across central and peripheral roles.
“We have great admiration for Arduino and the long-term commitment to build community through quality boards,” stated James Pace, CEO of Runtime. “Now, in addition to sensors, these boards increasingly have communications such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi intrinsic to the design. This is huge step where a full-featured OS makes sense for both makers and product prototypers.”
“We’re pleased to see a truly open source operating system for our 32-bit MCU product line that can bridge the gap from prototype-to-product,” said Federico Musto, CEO & President of Arduino S.r.L. “IoT developers and Makers of all ages value ease-of-use and innovation that is fueled by Arduino’s thriving open source community. We continue to provide ease-of-use, now with the option of a modern OS underpinning, along with commercial support for large numbers of smart IoT applications.”
For more information and news, please visit www.arduino.org.
