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Breaking New Ground in Open Source: Zephyr Project Meetup (Austin, Texas) Recap

By October 29, 2024No Comments
Crowd at the Zephyr project meetup at Austin, Texas

This blog is written by Michelle Hall, Marketing Product Launch Manager, NXP Semiconductors

On Oct 9th, open source enthusiasts and embedded systems experts gathered in Austin, Texas, for the Zephyr Project Meetup, hosted by NXP Semiconductors. The event brought together developers, engineers, and curious minds, all eager to explore the latest advancements in open source embedded systems programming and software development.

The meetup provided a valuable platform for sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, and strengthening connections within the Zephyr Project community. With a diverse lineup of presentations and demos, participants left with new insights into the ever-evolving world of embedded systems.

Key Highlights from the Presentations

1. Wi-Fi for Industrial and Enterprise

Presented by Max Palumbo from NXP Semiconductors, this session explored the challenges and opportunities of implementing Wi-Fi in industrial and enterprise settings.
Max delved into the importance of reliable connectivity, particularly in mission-critical environments, and highlighted how NXP’s cutting-edge solutions are driving the future of wireless communication in embedded systems.

Max Palumbo from NXP Semiconductors

Zephyr Project – What’s Next After 100K Commits

Kate Stewart, VP of Dependable Embedded Systems at The Linux Foundation, took the audience on a journey through Zephyr’s incredible growth, celebrating over 100,000 commits. She shared insights on what’s in store for Zephyr’s future, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stability while pushing innovation.

Kate Stewart, VP of Dependable Embedded Systems at The Linux Foundation at the Zephyr meetup in Austin.

System Designer: Using Zephyr for Complex Systems

Michael Gielda, Co-founder of Antmicro, introduced the audience to new tools that leverage Zephyr for designing complex systems. His presentation focused on how Zephyr’s modularity and flexibility are key to representing and developing intricate systems efficiently.

Michael Gielda, Co-founder of Antmicro, at the Zephyr project meetup Austin, Texas

Totally Reconfigurable Engineering Solutions

The final presentation by Chris Gammell from Golioth Developer Relations shed light on how module abstraction layers can simplify reconfigurable engineering solutions. Chris discussed how developers can reconfigure systems on the fly, unlocking new possibilities in modular embedded design.

Chris Gammell from Golioth Developer Relations at the Zephyr project meetup, Austin, Texas

Hands-On Demos and Giveaways

The meetup wasn’t just about presentations- attendees had the opportunity to explore Zephyr-enabled microcontrollers and processors through hands-on demos, featuring NXP’s MCX MCUs, i.MX RT Crossover MCUs, RW612 wireless MCU, and i.MX Applications Processors.

These hardware solutions, integrated with Zephyr, demonstrated the flexibility and power of NXP’s embedded systems.

Attendees were also thrilled with the board giveaways, which included a selection of Zephyr-enabled MCUs and MPUs. These giveaways ensured that participants could take the experience home and continue exploring the possibilities of Zephyr.

Crowd at the Zephyr project meetup at Austin, Texas

Networking and Community Building

In addition to the technical presentations and demos, the event offered ample opportunities for networking. Attendees connected with Zephyr Project members, NXP marketing, engineering, and management teams. These interactions further fostered collaboration and knowledge-sharing, solidifying the community & commitment to advancing open source solutions in embedded systems.

NXP team at the Zephyr project meetup at Austin, Texas

Conclusion

The Zephyr Project Meetup in Austin was a testament to the strength and diversity of the open source community. With insightful presentations, engaging demos, and valuable networking, it offered a glimpse into the exciting future of embedded systems development. NXP Semiconductors’ role as a host underscored their commitment to supporting innovation in this space, and we look forward to seeing the continued evolution of the Zephyr Project.

As Zephyr continues to evolve and address new challenges, we’re excited to see the community push the boundaries of what’s possible in embedded systems. Stay tuned for more updates on Zephyr’s journey and the exciting developments that lie ahead!

Stay Connected

To stay updated on future events, project developments, and community initiatives, subscribe to the Zephyr quarterly newsletter or connect with us on @ZephyrIoTZephyr Project LinkedIn or the Zephyr Discord Channel to talk with community and TSC members such as NXP.