The ARM architecture gives product developers the greatest choice of embedded operating system (OS) support. With over 5 billion processors shipped, choosing ARM provides developers with the confidence in OS solutions that have been proven in a wide selection of high-volume products.

A large number of OSs are available on ARM processors to meet the requirements of different markets, hardware systems and applications. Criteria used to choose an OS may include:

• The functional needs of the application
• Availability of development tools and technical support
• Third party application and developer support
• Real-time capabilities
• Processor architectures and peripheral support
• Memory footprint
• Business model — from royalty-based to open source
• Conformance to standards
• Familiarity of programming interfaces

ARM works closely with operating system companies to assist with support of architectural features, robustness and the tracking of ever-evolving market requirements, including the following companies who are members of the ARM Connected Community:

• AXE, Inc.
• CMX Systems, Inc.
• Enea Embedded Technology
• eSOL Co., Ltd.
• Express Logic
• Grape Systems Inc.
• Green Hills Software, Inc.
• HUONE INC.
• HYCTRON ELECTRONIC LTD.
• IAR Systems
• Keil - an ARM^® Company
• Lineo Solutions, Inc.
• Micrium
• Micro Digital, Inc.
• Microsoft
• MontaVista Software, Inc.
• Open Kernel Labs
• QNX Software Systems Co.
• Quadros Systems, Inc.
• RadiSys
• SEGGER Microcontroller Systeme GmbH
• Symbian
• TimeSys
• TRANGO Virtual Processors
• UIQ Technology AB
• VirtualLogix
• Wind River

ARM also cooperates with Open Operating System communities and vendors to directly provide Board Support Packages (BSPs) that run on ARM Development Boards these include:

• Microsoft® Windows® Embedded
• Linux
• Symbian OS

Additional Information:

• Operating Systems Datasheet
• Development Tools
• Development Boards

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