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Virtualization

WindRiver Helix Virtualization Platform

Consolidate mixed-criticality workloads with real-time performance and mission-critical reliability.

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Category
Software
Ideal For
Aerospace & Defense
Deployment
On-premise
Integrations
None+ Apps
Security
Isolation of mixed criticality workloads, secure multi-OS environments, safety partitioning
API Access
Yes - platform SDK and virtualization APIs available

About WindRiver Helix Virtualization Platform

Wind River Helix Virtualization Platform is an enterprise-grade hypervisor solution engineered for mission-critical embedded systems requiring simultaneous execution of multiple operating systems with varying criticality levels. The platform enables aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial organizations to consolidate VxWorks, Linux, and Android workloads on a single compute system while maintaining strict safety, security, and real-time performance guarantees. The solution provides spatial and temporal isolation through advanced partitioning technologies, ensuring that failures in non-critical applications cannot compromise safety-critical functions. AiDOOS enhances Helix deployment by providing managed virtualization governance, streamlined multi-OS orchestration, and integration optimization across heterogeneous embedded environments. This reduces time-to-market for safety-critical systems while enabling cost-effective hardware consolidation and simplified system management for complex embedded architectures.

Challenges It Solves

  • Integrating multiple operating systems on single hardware without compromising safety and real-time performance
  • Managing mixed criticality workloads while maintaining isolation and regulatory compliance
  • Reducing hardware footprint and costs while ensuring deterministic behavior in safety-critical applications
  • Simplifying development and certification complexity across heterogeneous embedded platforms

Proven Results

64
Reduction in hardware costs through workload consolidation
48
Faster time-to-market for safety-critical embedded systems
35
Improved system reliability through advanced workload isolation

Key Features

Core capabilities at a glance

Mixed Criticality Partitioning

Isolate safety-critical and non-critical workloads seamlessly

Enables safe coexistence of multiple OS and criticality levels

Real-Time Performance Guarantee

Maintain deterministic timing for mission-critical operations

Deterministic scheduling ensures real-time workload deadlines met

Multi-OS Support

Run VxWorks, Linux, and Android concurrently

Flexible platform for diverse application requirements

Advanced Security Architecture

Enforce security boundaries between isolated partitions

Prevents unauthorized access and lateral threat propagation

Safety Certification Support

Streamline compliance with aviation and automotive standards

Facilitates DO-178C, ISO 26262, and IEC 61508 certification

Hardware Resource Optimization

Maximize utilization of single compute system

Consolidates multiple legacy systems into unified platform

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Real-World Use Cases

See how organizations drive results

Aerospace Flight Control Systems
Consolidate avionics control systems, navigation, and non-critical infotainment onto a single processing unit while maintaining rigid DO-178C compliance and real-time performance requirements.
68
Reduced avionics hardware redundancy by consolidation
Automotive Safety Systems Integration
Enable integration of safety-critical ISO 26262 ASIL-D systems with non-critical Android infotainment on unified hardware, maintaining functional safety guarantees.
72
Accelerated vehicle platform certification timelines
Industrial Process Control
Deploy real-time VxWorks control systems alongside Linux-based monitoring and analytics on edge devices, ensuring operational safety while enabling data intelligence.
55
Improved operational visibility with reduced system footprint
Defense Combat Systems
Consolidate mission-critical weapons control, sensor fusion, and tactical communications on hardened embedded platforms with military-grade isolation and security.
61
Enhanced system resilience through advanced partitioning

Integrations

Seamlessly connect with your tech ecosystem

V

VxWorks RTOS

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Native support for Wind River VxWorks real-time operating system as primary safety-critical partition

L

Linux Kernel

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Full Linux support enabling standard open-source applications and middleware in non-critical partitions

A

Android OS

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Android integration for consumer-facing features and infotainment applications in isolated partitions

A

ARINC 653 Standards

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Compliance with avionic partitioning standards enabling aerospace certification

W

Wind River Studio IDE

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Integrated development environment for multi-OS application development and debugging

A

Automotive Grade Linux (AGL)

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Support for AGL framework in automotive virtualized environments

Implementation with AiDOOS

Outcome-based delivery with expert support

Outcome-Based

Pay for results, not hours

Milestone-Driven

Clear deliverables at each phase

Expert Network

Access to certified specialists

Implementation Timeline

1
Discover
Requirements & assessment
2
Integrate
Setup & data migration
3
Validate
Testing & security audit
4
Rollout
Deployment & training
5
Optimize
Performance tuning

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Alternatives & Comparisons

Find the right fit for your needs

Capability WindRiver Helix Virtualization Platform IFS Applications Dassault Systèmes S… Aveva Marine
Customization Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Ease of Use Good Good Good Good
Enterprise Features Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Pricing Fair Fair Fair Fair
Integration Ecosystem Good Excellent Excellent Excellent
Mobile Experience Fair Good Fair Fair
AI & Analytics Fair Good Good Good
Quick Setup Good Fair Fair Fair

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Frequently Asked Questions

What operating systems does Helix Virtualization Platform support?
Helix natively supports VxWorks, Linux, and Android, allowing consolidation of real-time and general-purpose OS workloads on a single hardware platform with guaranteed isolation.
How does Helix ensure safety-critical performance in mixed criticality environments?
The platform uses spatial and temporal partitioning to isolate safety-critical workloads from non-critical applications, ensuring deterministic scheduling and preventing resource contention that could compromise real-time guarantees.
Can Helix support aerospace and automotive certification requirements?
Yes, Helix is engineered for DO-178C (aviation) and ISO 26262 (automotive) compliance, with built-in features supporting functional safety requirements and streamlined certification processes.
How does AiDOOS enhance Helix Virtualization Platform deployment?
AiDOOS provides managed governance, orchestration optimization, and integration management for Helix deployments, streamlining multi-OS deployment, reducing deployment complexity, and enabling scalable virtualization infrastructure.
What hardware platforms does Helix support?
Helix supports a range of embedded processors including PowerPC, ARM, and x86 architectures commonly used in aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial systems.
Does Helix provide development tools and debugging capabilities?
Yes, Wind River Studio IDE and associated development tools provide comprehensive support for multi-OS application development, debugging, and performance analysis across Helix virtualized environments.