TimeSys reports that an additional real-time technology will be incorporated into the mainline Linux kernel starting with version 2.6.18 of the Linux kernel. The real-time support, which previously had to be installed as kernel patches, was developed in part by TimeSys senior open source developer Thomas Gleixner, the company says. Thomas Gleixner was the main author of Linux's high-resolution timer subsystem, and has been a major contributor to Ingo Molnar's real-time preemption patch.

In the changelog for the 2.6.18 kernel, it is shown an addition of 136 patches from Thomas Gleixner and 143 from Molnar, who works for Red Hat. According to TimeSys, the latest kernel release includes real-time technology that will save individual kernel developers from having to maintain separate real-time kernel trees. Additionally, embedded Linux developers or normal desktop users wishing to build kernels capable of achieving millisecond-level real-time responsiveness will no longer have to apply patches.

"I am pleased that we can simplify development for real-time embedded devices by bringing this technology into the mainline kernel." - says Thomas Gleixner. The next releases of the Linux kernel are likely to offer additional real-time features that are currently only available as kernel patches, according to TimeSys, and they are already available through its LinuxLink suite of subscription-based online services for embedded Linux developers.

"The inclusion of real-time capabilities in the kernel validates the work of TimeSys in this space. Our customers that require real-time capabilities can be confident that they are on a path that has a clear future." - says TimeSys CEO, Larry Weidman. Weidman adds, "By making real-time extensions available to all LinuxLink customers, we hope to make a supported real-time solution affordable to a wider audience."

Until now, TimeSys Linux distributions were the only "single-kernel real-time" Linux.

You can download the latest kernel now from Softpedia.