Qualcomm Linux

Linux offering for IoT development with an LTS kernel, multi-SoC support, and an upstream-first development model.

Qualcomm^® Linux^® software stack is a comprehensive package of software, tools, and documentation designed to support Qualcomm Dragonwing™ IoT platforms.

It delivers a unified, Yocto-based Linux distribution that enables developers to build once, scale, and deploy across all supported IoT SoCs. The distribution is built on the Yocto Project Long-Term Support (LTS) kernel and incorporates standard boot infrastructure and drivers aligned with upstream Linux development.

At the core of Qualcomm Linux is an upstream-first, publicly developed open- development model – with a board support package (BSP) that tracks mainline and an overlay-based architecture that keeps customizations clean and maintainable across releases.

Qualcomm Linux is designed for production-grade deployment with a security-first foundation, support for virtualization and containers, over-the-air (OTA) updates, and long-term lifecycle support for Dragonwing IoT platforms.

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Introduction to Qualcomm Linux

The software stack supports all processors, subsystems, and components within the platform, including the CPU, GPU, VPU, DPU, NPU, ISP, and PMICs to ensure compatibility and optimal functionality.

Beyond core infrastructure, Qualcomm Linux provides a platform-first foundation with integrated AI, multimedia, and robotics SDKs, giving developers validated, production-ready tools to build and deploy intelligent applications across Dragonwing IoT platforms.

Simplified development 

A single system image and a unified BSP architecture streamline development, improve productivity, accelerate time to market, and enhance collaboration across Qualcomm^® IoT SoCs.

Platform-agnostic software development kits (SDKs)

A comprehensive set of tools, resources, upstream packages, sample apps, and APIs make development more efficient across Qualcomm IoT platforms.

Easy accessibility

Open, community-aligned workflows, including public development branches, open CI/CD, open-source software, tools, documentation, sources, and common libraries enable faster development and encourage broader ecosystem participation.

Extended product longevity

Open-source software and standardized frameworks ensure support through a predictable release cadence and long-term support model aligned with product lifecycles.

Upstream-first development model

Code is contributed upstream first and continuously rebased to mainline, maintaining alignment with the Linux kernel and user space. Ongoing contributions to Yocto/OpenEmbedded help keep the distribution current as major components update.

Optimize onboarding

Industry-standard workflows, easy access, standardized libraries and frameworks promote reuse and help enable rapid bring-up across multiple SoCs and products.

Qualcomm Linux Roadmap

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Embedded AI workflow

Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 development kits are supported by platforms and SDKs such as Edge Impulse, Qualcomm AI Hub, and Foundries.io, for a streamlined AI model workflow, and Qualcomm Intelligent Multimedia (IM) SDK for a simplified integration of video and audio streams. The AI workflow includes AI model selection, raw data acquisition, model training/refining and benchmarking, and deployment onto multiple edge devices in production.