LynuxWorks to Offer First DO-178B Certifiable POSIX-Compatible RTOS LynuxWorks to incorporate Rockwell Collins VMOS into a new LynxOS for safety-critical systems

SAN JOSÉ, Calif., Dec. 10, 2002—LynuxWorks™ today 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."

LynxOS certifiable kernel

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.

A complete solution for DO-178B certification

The complete package will include the LynxOS certifiable kernel, development tools, a certifiable TCP/IP stack, customer support and an artifacts package. The artifacts package traces the evidence—from requirements through design, code, tests and results with the required documents included—for customers seeking a time-to-market solution for DO-178B-level certified products.

The LynxOS certifiable product will save developers years of labor and cost usually devoted to system certification. Other customer benefits include a known certification package at a known cost; feature rich, open standards-based interfaces for applications development; and, a certifiable COTS OS and TCP/IP stack.

About DO-178B

Developed by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA), the DO-178B standard is a set of guidelines for the production of software for airborne systems. Designed to ensure that software meets airworthiness requirements, adoption of the DO-178B standard is a method of component approval in many critical aerospace, defense and other environments, including military, nuclear, medical, and communications applications.

About LynuxWorks

LynuxWorks is a world leader in the embedded software market, providing operating systems, software development products and consulting services for the world's most successful communications, aerospace/defense, and consumer products companies. Established in 1988, the company is a founding member of the real-time operating systems (RTOS) industry, and a leading participant in the Embedded Linux Consortium (ELC). LynuxWorks' headquarters are located in San José, California. The company's products include the open-source BlueCat® Linux® and the scalable, Linux-compatible LynxOS real-time operating system. World-class companies use LynuxWorks' products, including: 3Com, Alcatel, Boeing, Ericsson, Hewlett Packard, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Lockheed Martin, Lucent Technologies, Marconi, Mitsubishi, Motorola, NEC USA, Raytheon, Rockwell Collins, TRW and Xerox.

LynuxWorks is a trademark and LynxOS and BlueCat are registered trademarks of LynuxWorks, Inc. Other brand or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective holders. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

LynuxWorks press contacts

Kirsten Long Director, Marketing Communications LynuxWorks, Inc. USA +1 408-979-4404	Barbara Stewart Patterson & Associates USA 480-488-6909
Hamid Mirab Managing Director EMEA LynuxWorks Ltd. United Kingdom +44 208-906-9506	Peter van der Sluijs Neesham Public Relations Europe +44 1442-879222