GSoC 2026: Increasing the pre-qualified feature set of RTEMS

Programs Google Summer of Code
1

This is a GSoC 2026 project including 2 main tasks:

  1. Update the current memory allocator to use TLSF instead of first fit
  2. Add support for C11 Annex K Bounds Checking Functions

The first task is to update the implementation in heap.c to use TLSF which is a dynamic memory allocator specifically designed for real‑time operating systems since the current first-fit memory allocator of RTEMS has serious fragmentation issues and an unpredictable runtime. I talked about this in more detail here.

The second task is to Add support for C11 Annex K Bounds Checking Functions. This will require looking into the current open source implementations of these functions and checking which implementation provides the most complete set and ensuring the license is ok. After finishing this research we will need to figure out how to make them available in RTEMS. This includes mainly 2 options:

  1. integration with newlib
  2. Adding the library to the tool chain build

The second option is most likely since it is no longer is desirable to have code merged into newlib.

The original issue already mentions that safelibc is currently the best candidate for this.

I welcome feedback, suggestions, or modifications on this project.

2

I don’t think that these are particularly about the pre-qualified feature set, but they are definitely related to memory safety and efficiency. I would situate this project idea in those terms. I believe the maintainer of safelibc is willing to have some level of involvement as well.

3

Okay I will make sure to look into having a different name for this project. As for the maintainer of safelibc I will contact him after I have studied this more.
Thanks.