Embedded Linux

Embedded Linux is not desktop Linux shrunk down — it’s a purpose-built platform designed for performance, stability, and optimized software and drivers for the respective hardware. There are typical requirements for such systems, e.g. Security, optimized size and a low memory footprint. Our ELinOS Embedded Linux offers a powerful platform for various use cases.

ELinOS

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Fast & predictable Boot

Devices often need to boot fast — especially in Automotive, industrial, or Safety contexts. Embedded Linux must support deterministic startup and avoid delays caused by unnecessary services or modules.

Hardware-specific Deployment

Embedded Linux isn’t installed on generic PCs — it's deployed to specific SoCs, boards, or custom hardware. Board Support Packages and cross-toolchains are essential for supporting targets like x86, ARM, PowerPC, and RISC‑V.

Tailored System Images

Unlike bloated general-purpose distributions, embedded builds include only what’s needed: Custom kernels with a limited number of drivers, minimal root filesystems, and selected services. This leads to smaller, faster, and more secure systems.

Security and OTA Updates

Fixing Security issues is mandatory to ensure system integrity and protect user data. Maintaining robust Security through timely updates via Over-The-Air (OTA) update mechanism is essential to prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited. Unlike general-purpose distributions, embedded system have to reduce the attacker surface to a minimum by tailoring the system. This reduces the number of system updates.

Cross-Development Workflow

You don’t compile on the target — instead, you use a host-based cross toolchain to build and debug the system. A consistent development environment (like our CODEO IDE) ensures reproducibility and fast iteration.

Long-Term Reliability

Devices may run unattended for years, often in harsh or remote environments. Stability, maintainability, and long-term support are critical — including strategies for OTA updates, remote diagnostics, and secure boot.

Configurable

Strip out unnecessary kernel drivers, services, and packages

Minimal

Include only what's needed (e.g., no unused drivers, limited number services, custom file systems)

Robust

Built for reliability and long-term maintenance in field-deployed products

Toolchain-ready

Support cross-compilation and BSPs for various SoCs and microarchitectures

Hardware architectures x86, ARM, PowerPC, RISC-V

Industrial-Grade Linux

ELinOS is SYSGO’s embedded Linux platform, designed from the ground up to support these constraints. Built on Debian and backed by SYSGO’s long-standing experience in Safety- and Security-critical systems, it provides a wide range of advanced technology and features.

Whether you're building a PLC, a gateway, or a next-gen Avionics controller, ELinOS gives you a controlled, efficient, and industrial-strength Linux distribution designed to run where other Linux versions can’t.

ELinOS Features | ELinOS Product Page

ELinOS at a Glance

A highly customizable, compact embedded Linux OS
Optimized toolchains for cross-development on all major embedded architectures
Pre-integrated support for real-time capabilities and low-latency performance — suitable for industrial control, robotics, and other timing-critical use cases
Integrated with CODEO IDE for seamless board bring-up, image creation, and debugging CODEO Product Page
Supports low latency kernel, configurable root file systems, and device tree customization
Provides BSPs (Board Support Packages) for industrial-grade hardware platforms and reference boards ELinOS BSP List
Includes integrated QEMU support for hardware-independent development and testing

Security Features

The strengths of ELinOS in regards of Security are integrated in the overall workflow. By using a compact / minimal system image, the attacker surface is already reduced resulting on less Security vulnerabilities affecting the current system. Several hardening options, access control, and secure boot mechanisms provide even more Security. All features and services provided by ELinOS are optimized for the embedded target with a minimum number of dependencies to other packages.

Embedded Linux Security

Low Latency and Real-Time Kernel

ELinOS provides real-time extensions (PREEMPT-RT) to reduce latency and improve determinism for time-sensitive applications.

Guest OS Support with PikeOS

When deployed under PikeOS, SYSGO’s certified real-time hypervisor, ELinOS can run as a guest operating system alongside other time- or Safety-critical partitions. ELinOS operates in a virtualized partition, securely isolated by PikeOS.

ELinOS as Guest OS

Supported Architectures

Full cross‑toolchain support for the following target CPU architectures:

x86 / x86‑64
ARM (v7/v8)
PowerPC e500 / e500mc
RISC‑V

CODEO for ELinOS | CODEO Product Page

Development Host & Toolchain Flow

ELinOS delivers a consistent cross-development toolchain (CDK) on both Windows and Linux hosts, integrated directly within the CODEO IDE:

Cross‑compiler (GCC, binutils), debugger (GDB), linker, various utilities
Profiler to analyze performance & application tracing
Support for simulated targets via QEMU directly in CODEO for early development and testing without hardware

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Setting up an embedded Linux ELinOS Instance

SYSGO’s embedded Linux ELinOS is a lightweight yet mighty Linux distribution that combines the best of the two worlds: ELinOS comes with a very small memory footprint, has a kernel size of 3 MiB, a root file system size of 16 MiB and yet a vast number of pre-built of packages. Unlike other distributions and protracted "roll-your-own" approaches, an ELinOS system can be set up way much faster thanks to its unique and convenient build process tool.

Due to its small size, the surface for attack vectors is significantly reduced.

Full Control with less Overhead

ELinOS provides a pre-integrated development environment that eliminates complexity compared to Yocto or Buildroot — ideal for fast, stable deployment

Pre-qualified Toolchain & SDK

Save time with a ready-to-use, maintained cross-toolchain and build system tailored for embedded targets

Out-of-the-Box BSPs & Kernel Configs

Quickly boot on supported hardware with pre-built BSPs (Board Support Packages) and optimized kernel configurations — or customize easily for your own board

Real-Time Linux Support

ELinOS supports PREEMPT-RT, providing low-latency capabilities for applications with timing requirements

Modular and maintainable

Manage complex system setups through a unified build system and long-term maintained packages

Powerful Debugging and Tracing Tools

Integrated analysis tools like tracing, logging, and system introspection help you optimize performance and stability

Embedded Security

ELinOS includes hardened kernel options, secure update mechanisms, and long-term maintained packages. Its minimal footprint helps reduce attack surfaces, making it suitable for connected embedded devices with strict Security requirements.

ELinOS on PikeOS for Mixed-Criticality Systems

ELinOS can run as a guest OS on PikeOS, enabling safe consolidation of Linux applications with real-time or Safety-critical software. This setup provides strong isolation and is ideal for domains like aerospace, automotive, and railway.