PikeOS hypervisor RTOS from SYSGO combines a hard real-time operating system and a separation-kernel hypervisor in a single product. Specifically, it provides multiple isolated partitions running different APIs and guest operating systems, including Linux, ARINC 653, POSIX, and PikeOS native real-time. As a result, it enables you to build mixed-criticality devices that satisfy strong safety and security requirements simultaneously. Sightsys is the official Israeli distributor of PikeOS, providing local sales, technical support, and integration assistance to embedded development teams across Israel.

Why Choose PikeOS Hypervisor RTOS

When you build safety- and security-critical systems, you need both deterministic real-time performance and strong isolation between software components. In contrast, traditional RTOS solutions handle real time but lack hardware-level partitioning, while standard hypervisors lack hard real-time guarantees. Therefore, PikeOS uniquely combines both — giving you a single platform that satisfies both demands.

For example, mixed-criticality systems can run a Linux partition for the user interface, an ARINC 653 partition for safety-certified code, and a PikeOS native partition for hard real-time control — all on the same processor. As a result, your hardware costs drop while your system architecture becomes far cleaner. Furthermore, certification becomes easier because PikeOS provides hardware-enforced partition isolation, so non-certified Linux code cannot interfere with your certified safety functions.

Notably, PikeOS uniquely implements Cache Coloring — a hardware-aware memory mapping technique that prevents cache-line interference between partitions on multi-core processors. As a result, worst-case execution time (WCET) becomes tightly bounded across cores, which is mandatory for DO-178C DAL A avionics certification and ISO 26262 ASIL D automotive timing freedom-from-interference. Most other RTOS and hypervisor products lack this capability, which is why PikeOS dominates multi-core safety-critical applications.

Certifiable UAV Platform Example

PikeOS is the proven backbone of certifiable unmanned aerial vehicle platforms. Notably, the example below shows PikeOS running a DO-178C DAL B certified avionics stack on an ITAR-free hardware platform with ARINC 653 partitioning:

PikeOS in a certifiable UAV platform — ITAR-free, DO-178C DAL B, ARINC 653

Safety and Security Certifications

PikeOS is one of the most widely certified RTOS and hypervisor products on the market. Specifically, Sightsys supplies PikeOS variants pre-certified for:

• DO-178C DAL A — avionics software (highest level)
• DO-254 — airborne electronic hardware
• ARINC 653 — partitioned avionics architecture
• ISO 26262 ASIL D — automotive functional safety
• IEC 61508 SIL 3 — industrial functional safety
• EN 50128 SW-SIL 4 — railway software
• Common Criteria EAL 5+ — security evaluation (suitable for defense and government systems)

Supported Guest APIs and Operating Systems

A core PikeOS strength is the breadth of guest environments running simultaneously on top of its separation kernel. Specifically, supported partitions include:

• PikeOS native real-time — for hard real-time control loops
• ARINC 653 — for DO-178C certified avionics applications
• POSIX (PSE51, PSE52, PSE53, PSE54) — for portable embedded software
• Linux — for rich user interfaces and connectivity
• Android — for infotainment and HMI applications
• AUTOSAR Classic and Adaptive — for automotive ECUs
• Bare-metal applications — for legacy or specialized code

Importantly, each guest runs in its own hardware-enforced partition with strictly controlled CPU time, memory, and I/O access. Therefore, a fault or security breach in one partition cannot affect others.

Supported Hardware Platforms

PikeOS runs on a wide range of safety-critical and security-critical processors. Specifically, supported architectures include:

• Arm Cortex-A — including Cortex-A53, A72, A78AE, and Arm v8/v9 platforms
• Arm Cortex-R — real-time Arm cores including R52 lockstep variants
• x86 / x86-64 — Intel and AMD embedded processors
• PowerPC — including NXP/QorIQ platforms
• RISC-V — emerging support for safety-critical RISC-V designs
• SPARC/LEON — for space-grade applications

Typical PikeOS Use Cases

Certifiable UAV and Avionics Platforms

Both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles benefit from PikeOS’s ARINC 653 partitioning and DO-178C DAL A certification. Specifically, flight control, navigation, mission computers, and sensor fusion can all run on the same SoC with hardware-enforced separation. Furthermore, ITAR-free hardware options make PikeOS suitable for Israeli aerospace exports.

Automotive ADAS and Autonomous Driving

PikeOS supports ASIL D certified motion control alongside Linux-based perception and sensor-fusion stacks. As a result, Israeli ADAS teams use PikeOS to consolidate multiple ECUs onto a single high-performance SoC.

Defense and Security-Critical Systems

Common Criteria EAL 5+ certification makes PikeOS suitable for defense systems requiring secure separation between classified and unclassified data, cryptographic isolation, and red/black separation. Notably, Israeli defense primes use PikeOS for tactical communication systems, secure gateways, and multi-level secure (MLS) platforms.

Industrial Automation and Robotics

PikeOS’s IEC 61508 SIL 3 certification fits programmable safety controllers, industrial robots, and collaborative machinery. Conveniently, a single PikeOS-based gateway can run safety PLCs alongside OPC UA / MQTT cloud connectivity in separate partitions.

Railway Signaling and Train Control

EN 50128 SW-SIL 4 certification supports Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC), interlocking systems, and on-board train management. Additionally, mixed-criticality consolidation reduces cabinet size and weight.

Why Buy PikeOS Through Sightsys?

As Israel’s ISO 9001:2015 certified official distributor of SYSGO PikeOS, Sightsys delivers what direct international purchases cannot:

• Local Hebrew technical support — fast response times from engineers who understand Israeli aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial teams
• Single point of contact — one quote, one support contract, one team for PikeOS plus complementary tools (IAR, Axivion, Cantata, Solid Sands, AbsInt)
• Pre-built certification evidence — DO-178C, ISO 26262, IEC 61508, EN 50128, Common Criteria packages ready for audit
• Integration assistance — help structuring partitions, allocating CPU budgets, and bringing up guest operating systems
• Evaluation licenses — try PikeOS on your target hardware before commercial commitment
• Training and workshops on PikeOS architecture, ARINC 653 partitioning, and mixed-criticality design
• Cross-vendor expertise — knowing how PikeOS combines with IAR Embedded Workbench, Axivion static analysis, Cantata unit testing, AbsInt aiT WCET analysis, and Cypherbridge security stacks

Related Sightsys Pages

For broader context on where PikeOS fits in safety-critical embedded development, see:

• Safety-Critical Systems overview — full standards landscape
• Avionics embedded tools — DO-178C and ARINC 653 focus
• Automotive embedded tools — ISO 26262 ASIL D focus
• FAQ — common PikeOS questions

Talk to the Sightsys PikeOS Team

Whether you are starting a DO-178C DAL A avionics program, consolidating multiple automotive ECUs onto a single SoC, building a Common Criteria EAL 5+ defense system, or designing a mixed-criticality industrial controller, the Sightsys PikeOS team can scope your project and deliver the right hardware platform, partitioning strategy, and certification evidence.

To request a quote, evaluation license, or PikeOS architecture consultation, contact the Sightsys team directly.

PikeOS Video Walkthroughs

For a complete introduction to PikeOS — from the basic hypervisor RTOS overview to advanced topics and a hands-on demonstration of time partitioning across single-core and multi-core targets — watch the three SYSGO walkthrough videos below. All players are embedded directly. Therefore, you can watch without leaving this page.

Basic — PikeOS Hypervisor RTOS Overview

An introductory overview of PikeOS as a hypervisor RTOS. Specifically, the video covers the separation kernel architecture, partition isolation concepts, and supported guest operating systems. Notably, this is the right starting point for anyone evaluating PikeOS for the first time:

Advanced — PikeOS Deep Dive

A deeper technical walkthrough of PikeOS architecture, partition configuration, certification artifacts, and integration patterns for safety- and security-critical systems. Specifically, this video is the next step after the basic overview for teams committing to a PikeOS-based program:

Demonstration — Time Partitioning on Single-Core and Multi-Core

A hands-on demonstration of how time partitioning works in PikeOS on both single-core and multi-core processors. Specifically, the video shows how PikeOS allocates CPU time slots to each partition, guarantees deterministic scheduling, and isolates timing behavior across cores. Notably, time partitioning is mandatory for ARINC 653 avionics, ISO 26262 ASIL D automotive, and DO-178C DAL A certification — making this demonstration essential viewing for any team designing a mixed-criticality system:

Follow SYSGO on YouTube for More PikeOS Content

SYSGO regularly publishes new PikeOS tutorials, deep-dive technical walkthroughs, partner case studies, and certification updates on their official YouTube channel. Specifically, you can find advanced PikeOS topics, ARINC 653 partitioning examples, AUTOSAR integration demos, multi-core determinism walkthroughs including Cache Coloring, and recorded webinars there.