LynuxWorks to offer first DO-178B certifiable POSIX-compatible RTOS - LynxOS

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, Dec 16, 2002

LynxWorks has announced that its has entered into an agreement to obtain Rockwell Collins' Virtual Machine Operating System (VMOS) technology and plans to launch a new DO-178B level A certifiable (FAA standard) version of LynuxWorks' POSIX-compatible real-time operating system (RTOS), LynxOS. The new RTOS will be made available as a commercial product from LynuxWorks during the first part of calendar year 2003. For international programs requiring certification, this new software package will also be applicable for the European equivalent standard, EUROCAE/ED-12B.

"We appreciate the opportunity to leverage Rockwell Collins' extensive knowledge and experience in the military and aerospace industry, and we're very excited to bring the LynxOS Certification package to market," said Inder Singh, CEO of LynuxWorks. "The DO-178B version of LynxOS is the most robust, certifiable kernel in the industry and, with the addition of the only COTS standalone certifiable TCP/IP stack, this solution meets the stringent mil/aero requirements for safety critical computing. We are sending a clear message that we intend to be a leader in this field."

"LynxOS, coupled with the Rockwell Collins enhancements, offers the military and aerospace industries a powerful tool to help them deliver safety-critical applications at a fraction of the cost and time it has traditionally taken," said Brian Wright, Rockwell Collins vice president of strategic technology. "Rockwell Collins chose LynxOS as the basis for our internally-developed VMOS to provide the critical DO-178B functionality necessary for our commercial and military open system avionics. We are excited about LynuxWorks' commercialization of this powerful RTOS."

The certifiable LynxOS kernel, derived from LynuxWorks' LynxOS and known as Rockwell Collins' VMOS, is a virtual machine operating system enhanced for use in military, business/regional aviation and air transport. VMOS is the operating system foundation of multiple systems that have been certified to DO-178B standards, including the Bombardier Challenger 300 (primary flight display), the USAF KC-135 GATM program and other commercial and military deployments. The operating system offers key features required to help developers quickly design and bring to market safety critical applications including: hard partitioning of resources in time and space, POSIX interfaces, and the first DO-178B certifiable COTS TCP/IP stack.