Learn ZEPHYR-RTOS with Real Code Examples

Zephyr RTOS provides real-time task scheduling and deterministic performance for embedded systems.

It supports multi-threading, inter-thread communication, and hardware abstraction.

Used in IoT devices, wearables, industrial sensors, and edge computing applications.

Offers modular components including networking, file systems, and device drivers.

Supports a wide range of architectures and platforms including ARM, RISC-V, x86, and more.

Preemptive and cooperative multitasking

Inter-thread communication (semaphores, queues, pipes)

Timers, work queues, and delayed execution

Memory management and heap management

Hardware abstraction layer for portability

Thread - basic execution unit with priority and stack

Scheduler - manages thread execution order

Kernel Objects - semaphores, mutexes, queues for synchronization

Device Driver - interface to hardware peripherals

Work Queue - deferred task execution mechanism

Zephyr project directory with source and include files

CMakeLists.txt for build configuration

prj.conf for kernel and feature settings

boards/ directory with board definitions

modules/ directory for optional subsystems

Select a supported board and architecture

Write application code using Zephyr APIs

Configure kernel and device settings in Kconfig

Build firmware using CMake and west

Flash to hardware and test real-time behavior

Beginner: blink LED or read a sensor with Zephyr APIs

Intermediate: multi-threaded sensor data processing

Advanced: implement custom device drivers or protocols

Expert: design full IoT edge application with networking

Architect: build scalable, battery-efficient, connected embedded system

Zephyr vs FreeRTOS: Zephyr has modular features and POSIX APIs

Zephyr vs RIOT OS: Zephyr supports more architectures and enterprise backing

Zephyr vs Mbed OS: Zephyr has smaller footprint and strong open-source community

Zephyr vs Linux (embedded): Linux heavier, non-deterministic for hard real-time

Zephyr vs ThreadX: Zephyr open-source, ThreadX is commercial

2001 - Initial development by Wind River

2016 - Hosted under Linux Foundation

2017 - Support for multiple MCUs and boards

2018 - Networking stacks integrated

2019 - Enhanced multi-threading and work queues

2020 - Improved power management features

2023 - Expanded security and IoT support

2025 - Current release with full RTOS and networking features

Thread - execution unit with priority and stack

Scheduler - manages thread execution order

Semaphore - synchronization primitive

Work Queue - deferred task execution mechanism

Device Tree - hardware description for Zephyr