View source for LynxOS

{{Short description|Real-time operating system}}
{{About|the real-time operating system|the web browser|Lynx (web browser)|the game console|Atari Lynx}}
{{Primary sources|date=April 2024}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2010}}
{{Infobox OS
| name = LynxOS RTOS
| logo =
| screenshot =
| caption =
| developer = Lynx Software Technologies, Inc.
| source model = [[Closed source]]
| kernel type = [[Monolithic kernel|Monolithic]], dynamic extendable
| supported_platforms = [[Motorola 68010]], [[Intel 80386]], [[ARM architecture]], [[PowerPC]]
| ui = [[Command line interface]]
| family = [[Unix-like]] [[real-time operating system]]
| released = {{Start date and age|1986}}
| latest release version = 7.1<ref>{{cite web |title=Lynx unveils LynxOS v7.1, providing migration path for existing deployments |url=https://www.lynx.com/press-releases/lynx-unveils-lynxos-v7.1-providing-migration-path-for-existing-deployments |publisher=Lynx Software Technologies |access-date=14 April 2020 |date=February 20, 2020}}</ref>
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2020|02|20}}
| marketing target = [[Embedded system]]s
| programmed in = [[Ada (programming language)|Ada]], [[C (programming language)|C]], [[C++]], [[Rust (programming language)|Rust]]
| language = English
| update model =
| package manager =
| working state = Current
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| website = {{URL|www.lynx.com/products/lynxos-posix-real-time-operating-system-rtos}}
}}

The '''LynxOS RTOS''' is a [[Unix-like]] [[real-time operating system]] from [[Lynx Software Technologies]] (formerly "LynuxWorks"). Sometimes known as the '''Lynx Operating System''', LynxOS features full [[POSIX]] conformance and, more recently, [[Linux]] compatibility.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024|reason=There is no mention of Linux comparability in any of the referenced sources}} LynxOS is mostly used in real-time [[embedded system]]s, in applications for [[avionics]], [[aerospace]], the military,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/10/the-navys-newest-warship-is-powered-by-linux |title=The Navy's newest warship is powered by Linux |date=18 October 2013}}</ref> [[process control|industrial process control]] and [[telecommunications]].

== History ==
The first versions of LynxOS were written in 1986 in [[Dallas, Texas]], by Mitchell Bunnell and targeted at a custom-built [[Motorola 68010]]-based computer. The first platform LynxOS ran on was an [[Atari ST|Atari 1040ST]] with cross development done on an Integrated Solutions UNIX machine. In 1988-1989, LynxOS was ported to the [[Intel 80386]] architecture. Around 1989, [[application binary interface]] (ABI) compatibility with [[UNIX System V]].3 was added. Compatibility with other operating systems, including Linux,{{Citation needed|date=May 2024|reason=There is no mention of Linux comparability in any of the referenced sources}} followed.

Full Memory Management Unit support has been included in the [[Kernel (operating system)|kernel]] since 1989, for the reliability of protected memory and the performance advantages of virtual addresses. The [[PowerPC]] architecture is also supported, and in February 2015 Lynx announced planned support for the [[ARM architecture|ARM]] Cortex A-family.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lynx.com/lynx-software-technologies-announces-security-product-support-for-new-arm-based-iot-designs/ |title=LynxOS: POSIX Real Time Operating System |website=Lynx Software Technologies}}</ref>

LynxOS components are designed for absolute [[Deterministic automaton|determinism]] (hard real-time performance), which means that they respond within a known period of time. Predictable response times are ensured even in the presence of heavy [[input/output]] (I/O) due to the kernel's unique [[Thread (computing)|threading]] model, which allows [[interrupt]] routines to be very short and fast.

Lynx holds an expired patent on the technology that LynxOS uses to maintain hard real-time performance. {{US patent|5,469,571}} was granted to Lynx November 21, 1995: "Operating System Architecture using Multiple Priority Light Weight kernel Task-based Interrupt Handling."

In 2003, Lynx introduced a specialized version of LynxOS named LynxOS-178, especially for use in avionics applications that require certification to industry standards such as [[DO-178B]].

In late 2022, support for the programming language [[Rust (programming language)|Rust]] was added to the certified toolchain for LynxOS-178 and LynxElement unikernel.<ref>{{cite press release |last=Nelson |first=Kirsten |date=November 2, 2022 |url=https://www.lynx.com/press-releases/rust-compiler-support |title=Lynx Joins AdaCore and Ferrous Systems to Bring Rust to Embedded Developers |website=Lynx Software Technologies |location=San Jose, California}}</ref>

The [[Usenet]] newsgroup {{mono|comp.os.lynx}} is devoted to discussion of LynxOS.

==See also==
* [[Rust for Linux]]
* [[Redox (operating system)|Redox OS]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|www.lynx.com/products/lynxos-posix-real-time-operating-system-rtos}}
* [http://www.patents.com/us-5469571.html Patent #5,469,571: LynuxWorks' "Operating System Architecture using Multiple Priority Light Weight kernel Task-based Interrupt Handling."]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030418172614/http://lynx.com/products/whitepapers/mmu.php3 Whitepaper: Using the Microprocessor MMU for Software Protection in Real-Time Systems]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080828043437/http://www.lynx.com/embedded-os.php3 Applications using LynxOS and other Lynx operating systems]

{{Real-time operating systems}}
{{Unix}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lynxos}}
[[Category:ARM operating systems]]
[[Category:Embedded operating systems]]
[[Category:Real-time operating systems]]
[[Category:Unix variants]]
[[Category:X86 operating systems]]