EPISODE #018 – Zephyr RTOS with Brendon Slade

NXP’s Brendan Slade discusses why major semiconductor companies are investing heavily in Zephyr RTOS, exploring how this open-source real-time operating system is transforming embedded development for IoT and edge computing applications. The conversation covers NXP’s role as a founding platinum member of the Zephyr project, practical advice for developers evaluating RTOS options, and the collaborative ecosystem driving innovation in microcontroller software development.

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Takeaways

• Zephyr provides integrated middleware beyond just a kernel, unlike traditional RTOS options like FreeRTOS
• NXP was a founding platinum member of Zephyr project to drive strategic direction for microcontroller enablement
• Device tree configuration is the biggest learning curve hurdle, but once mastered, enables easy hardware portability
• The Zephyr project has ~50 members including major OEMs from automotive, industrial, and consumer sectors
• All code contributions require pull requests, tests, and peer review – no single company can force changes
• Power management infrastructure is built into Zephyr drivers, enabling faster development of low-power applications
• Training resources are available from multiple partners, and NXP offers Visual Studio Code extensions for easier development
• The MCX N947 Freedom board (~$30) provides an excellent platform for exploring Zephyr capabilities
• Future focus areas include AI enablement, cybersecurity compliance, and higher-level application frameworks
• Companies should invest in device tree training first, then start with evaluation boards to assess portability benefits

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Brendan’s Background at NXP
• 02:15 Why NXP Chose to Invest in Zephyr RTOS
• 05:00 Zephyr’s Role in IoT and Edge Computing Strategy
• 08:20 Customer Problems Solved by Zephyr Adoption
• 11:08 Developer Learning Curve and Training Resources
• 15:31 Key Advantages of Zephyr on NXP Silicon
• 19:00 Community Evolution and NXP’s Founding Role
• 22:40 Code Review Process and Quality Control
• 25:59 Future Trends and Innovations in Zephyr
• 29:20 Advice for Companies Evaluating Zephyr
• 32:03 Final Thoughts and Getting Involved

Keywords

Zephyr RTOS, NXP semiconductors, embedded systems, microcontrollers, IoT development, real-time operating system, device tree, open source, embedded software, MCU development, FreeRTOS alternative, edge computing, microcontroller programming, embedded Linux, IMXRT crossover processors