MuditaOS

Features

• Optimized UI rendering engine specifically designed for high-latency E Ink displays.

• Real-time task scheduling and management based on the FreeRTOS kernel.

• Integrated Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) to decouple hardware-specific drivers from the core OS.

• Support for VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and cellular data tethering.

• Comprehensive Bluetooth stack supporting A2DP for audio and HFP for hands-free communication.

• Virtual File System (VFS) supporting multiple backends including lwext4 and LittleFS.

• Relational data storage using an integrated SQLite database for contacts, messages, and notes.

• Multi-format audio playback support for MP3, WAV, and FLAC files with ID3 tag indexing.

• Secure Boot capability with support for signed binary verification.

• Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) support for file synchronization with desktop environments.

• Power management system optimized for extended battery life on Cortex-M7 platforms.

• Integrated meditation timer and wellness applications with specialized audio/visual feedback.

• Support for internationalization with bitmap font generation and JSON-based localization.

• System-wide logging engine with support for RTT and UART output.

• Passive Dual SIM support for cellular connectivity management.

MuditaOS utilizes a modular, service-oriented architecture designed to run on resource-constrained embedded systems while providing a rich mobile user experience. At its core, the system leverages FreeRTOS for task scheduling and synchronization. The architecture is divided into several layers: the Board Support Package (BSP) and Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) manage low-level hardware interactions, while a series of ‘module’ directories contain the core OS services, including the Virtual File System (VFS), GUI engine, and communication managers.

Interaction between subsystems is primarily handled through a service-based model where high-level applications (module-apps) communicate with background services (module-services) such as the Application Manager, Bluetooth Service, and Cellular Service. This separation ensures that the user interface remains responsive even during complex background operations like database synchronization or network handovers.

Core Components

• Service Manager: Manages the lifecycle of system services and application execution.
• GUI Framework: A custom-built graphics library optimized for the unique refresh characteristics of E Ink screens.
• VFS Layer: Provides a unified interface for file operations across different storage media (eMMC, SD cards) and filesystems (ext4, LittleFS).
• Comm-Stack: Integrated cellular and Bluetooth stacks for telephony, data, and audio streaming.

Use Cases

This RTOS is ideal for:

• Minimalist Mobile Devices: Specifically designed for phones that prioritize battery life and reduced distractions through E Ink technology.
• Smart Home Appliances: Suitable for high-end alarm clocks or home controllers requiring a sophisticated UI and low power consumption.
• Privacy-Focused Hardware: Ideal for devices where an open-source, auditable OS is required to ensure user data security and offline-first operation.
• E Ink Prototyping: Provides a robust platform for developers looking to build complex applications on electronic paper displays.

Getting Started

To begin development with MuditaOS, developers should clone the repository using the --recurse-submodules flag to ensure all third-party dependencies are included. The project provides a bootstrap.sh script in the config directory to install the necessary ARM toolchain, CMake, and Docker dependencies on Ubuntu-based systems. Once the environment is set up, the configure.sh script is used to generate build files for either the physical hardware (RT1051) or the Linux-based simulator. Detailed documentation for specific modules and the development workflow can be found in the doc/ directory of the repository.