Open Source Summit + Embedded Linux Conference North America 2026

Running the Linux kernel on microcontrollers with severely constrained RAM has long been viewed as impractical. Conventional embedded Linux builds still assume tens of megabytes of memory, excluding a wide class of resource-limited hardware such as Arm Cortex-M and certain Cortex-R devices. This talk presents recent work on adapting and optimizing the Linux kernel to operate within a 1 MB RAM budget.

We examine the challenges of reducing Linux’s memory footprint for microcontroller-class systems and the techniques that enable Linux to run in sub-megabyte environments. Topics include:
* Memory profiling of core kernel subsystems
* Removing or deferring optional features to reduce RAM usage
* Streamlining kernel image layout and data structures
* Adjusting build configurations and boot flow for extreme constraints
* Runtime trade-offs between functionality and footprint

The session demonstrates how mainline Linux can be reshaped to fit far smaller footprints than traditionally assumed. This approach expands the reach of embedded Linux and provides practical strategies for optimizing memory usage on highly constrained platforms.