Context & Challenges
A semiconductor vendor building an advanced IoT and industrial edge platform based on the Nordic nRF54H20selected Zephyr RTOS as the core of its software strategy.
The SoC features a heterogeneous multi-core architecture, advanced power domains, and a rich set of peripherals designed for next-generation connected devices.
At project start, Zephyr support for the platform was still early and incomplete, with several technical challenges:
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Complex multi-core bring-up and core coordination
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Incomplete low-level documentation during early silicon phases
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Interrupt routing and clock tree configuration spanning multiple domains
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Power management constraints requiring fine-grained control of sleep states
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Need to deliver a stable SDK while keeping full upstream compatibility
The customer partnered with BayLibre to accelerate Zephyr enablement while maintaining a clean, maintainable, upstream-first software architecture.
Achievements
BayLibre successfully delivered a robust Zephyr RTOS platform for the nRF54H20, supporting early adopters and internal SDK releases.
Key achievements included:
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Early Zephyr bring-up on pre-production silicon
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Multi-core initialization and synchronization
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Stable console and debug access across cores
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Implementation and validation of core peripherals (UART, GPIO, timers, SPI, I²C)
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Power-management integration aligned with SoC low-power design goals
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Clean DeviceTree and Kconfig integration following Zephyr best practices
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Continuous build and boot validation across hardware revisions
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Multiple contributions submitted and accepted upstream in Zephyr
This enabled the customer to ship a Zephyr-based SDK without accumulating technical debt or maintaining long-lived forks.
Open-Source Story
The project followed a strict upstream-first methodology, aligned with BayLibre’s open-source DNA.
BayLibre worked closely with the customer’s silicon and firmware teams to:
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Structure SoC and board support according to Zephyr subsystem expectations
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Avoid out-of-tree hacks and vendor-specific abstractions
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Submit incremental, review-friendly patches
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Collaborate directly with Zephyr maintainers during the review process
As a result, the customer gained:
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Faster stabilization of Zephyr support
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Reduced long-term maintenance cost
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Easier adoption by partners already using Zephyr
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Stronger credibility within the Zephyr ecosystem
BayLibre acted as a technical interface between proprietary silicon knowledge and open-source governance.
Tech Stack
Customer Testimonial
"BayLibre enabled our Zephyr RTOS bring-up on the nRF54H20 from early silicon to upstream-ready support. Their deep understanding of multi-core bring-up, DeviceTree, drivers, and Zephyr’s contribution process was instrumental in stabilizing our platform."