A collaborative project that aims to integrate real-time features directly into the Linux kernel, making them a standard part of the operating system.
While traditional Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) are designed specifically for real-time applications, often sacrificing general-purpose functionality, RT Linux aims to bridge the gap by adding real-time capabilities to a versatile, general-purpose OS. This approach allows users to run a wide range of applications alongside real-time tasks, leveraging the extensive ecosystem of Linux software and drivers.
Real-Time Linux does not mean fast Linux.
Real-Time Linux is enabled via a configuration setting in the upstream Linux kernel. This configuration enables a fully preemptible scheduler, meaning a high-priority task can interrupt a lower-priority one, and by minimizing areas where interrupts are disabled. This ensures that critical tasks execute more consistently and predictably.
The primary goal of RT Linux is to minimize latency and jitter, providing more predictable task execution times crucial for time-sensitive applications. Jitter is the variation in task execution times.
The goals of the Real-Time Linux Project are to support users of RT Linux through documentation and system optimization guides, deliver robust performance through test automation, ensure RT Linux is well supported in upstream, and facilitate development roadmaps, in coordination with the broader community.
We are creating a Real Time Linux Use Case Tracker as a resource to serve as an educational repository, demonstrating the diverse potential applications and successful adoption of PREEMPT_RT across various industries.The tracker, to be published on https://realtime-linux.org/ in the near future, is more than just a simple directory—it's an…
How does PREEMPT_RT achieve its goals, and why does it work the way it does? Was there ever a deliberate design, or did it evolve by chance? Anyone assuming that kernel developers are a chaotic bunch and that everything works through sheer coincidence will be disappointed. PREEMPT_RT is not the…
How to configure Linux with PREEMPT_RT With Linux 6.12 PREEMPT_RT real-time configuration has been included into the mainline kernel enabling real-time scheduling for x86, ARM64 and RISC-V on the unmodified original Linux kernel. But even for kernel versions >= 6.12 it is recommened to apply the latest PREEMPT_RT patch, which…
We're hosting the Real-Time Linux User Forum on Tuesday, October 6, 13:30–17:00, the day before Open Source Summit Europe in Prague. The User Forum is intended to bring together PREEMPT_RT developers and tooling experts with users...
