particle-iot/device-os
FreeDevice OS (Firmware) for Particle Devices
FreeFree tier
About particle-iot/device-os
Particle Device OS is the main source code repository for Particle's firmware libraries, providing a comprehensive set of system firmware, bootloader, communication stacks (Wi-Fi, cellular), cryptographic libraries, Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL), and an Arduino-compatible Wiring API. It supports multiple Particle hardware platforms (e.g., Photon, Electron, Argon, Boron) and is licensed under LGPLv3, allowing commercial use without requiring disclosure of application firmware.
Key Features
Bootloader and system firmware for Particle devices
Communication libraries including Wi-Fi and cellular stacks
Cryptographic library for secure communications
Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) for platform independence
Wiring API (Arduino-compatible) for application firmware
Modular architecture separating system and application firmware
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open source with LGPLv3 license, allowing commercial use without releasing application code
- Backed by Particle's official support and active community
- Modular design enables easy updates and separation of system and application layers
- Supports a wide range of Particle hardware platforms
Cons
- Limited to Particle's hardware ecosystem; not portable to other platforms
- Requires knowledge of embedded C/C++ and firmware development concepts
- Documentation and resources may be scattered across multiple repositories
Best For
Developing custom firmware for Particle IoT devicesBuilding cloud-connected IoT applications with sensor nodesCreating device firmware for commercial IoT products using Particle hardwareLearning embedded firmware development with a real-time operating system
FAQ
What does the LGPLv3 license mean for commercial use?
You may use this firmware commercially to build applications for your devices. You do not need to distribute your object files or the source code of your Application under LGPL. Your source code belongs to you when you build an Application using this System Firmware.