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Yocto Lifecycle

This page defines the software lifecycle model for Variscite Yocto releases.

Use the Software Release Finder to browse Yocto releases by SoM, OS, or release year. Exact release tags and implementation details can be found in the individual release documentation pages.

Release Types

For Yocto releases, Variscite distinguishes between LTS and Interim release types.

  • LTS Releases

    An LTS release is a long-term supported release intended for stable SoMs.

    • Based on upstream long-term support releases that flow from the Yocto Project to the SoC vendor and then to Variscite.
    • Intended to follow the release schedule of the relevant upstream Yocto long-term support release and the corresponding SoC vendor support package.
    • Planned lifecycle: Active -> Maintenance -> Legacy.
    • Typically maintained for approximately 4 years, or until the relevant upstream Yocto release or kernel branch reaches end-of-life, whichever comes first.

  • Interim Releases

    An Interim release is a shorter-lived release used until the next LTS branch is ready.

    • Typically used for initial support of new SoMs when no suitable upstream LTS release is available, or for select stable SoMs to provide earlier access to newer software features, kernels, toolchains, and other upstream changes before the next LTS release is available.
    • Planned lifecycle: Active -> Legacy.
    • Once the next LTS or Interim release is published, the earlier Interim release transitions to Legacy.

Status Definitions

Variscite defines three software lifecycle states:

Active

This is the newest Yocto release where active development is taking place.

  • LTS releases in this state receive quarterly kernel updates within the maintained branch.
  • LTS releases in this state receive quarterly updates to relevant upstream Yocto community meta-layers in order to inherit security fixes and bug fixes.
  • New SoM hardware revision support is added here first.

Maintenance

This is a sustaining Yocto release for existing SoMs and is no longer the primary branch for active development.

  • LTS releases in this state continue to receive quarterly kernel updates within the maintained branch.
  • LTS releases in this state continue to receive quarterly updates to relevant upstream Yocto community meta-layers in order to inherit security fixes and bug fixes.
  • Support for new SoM hardware revisions may be backported where technically feasible and compatible with the maintained software baseline.

Legacy

This Yocto release is end-of-life and no longer supported.

  • No further maintenance updates are planned.
  • Documentation is provided for reference only and is no longer maintained.

Lifecycle Planning

The tables below provide a high-level view of the Yocto release manifests that Variscite plans to support, including their release type, current lifecycle state, and projected support window over time.

The lifecycle dates shown below are estimates and planning projections. Actual release timing and support windows depend on external dependencies and internal considerations, including upstream repository changes, upstream release availability, overall technical feasibility, and internal resource allocation.

Older legacy releases exist but are not included in the lifecycle tables below.

NXP i.MX Lifecycle Planning

ReleaseManifestSupported SoMsTypeStateRelease DateProjected EOL
Yocto Wrynoseimx-6.18.y-2.2.0.xmlLTSPlanned2027 Q12030 Q4
Yocto Wrynoseimx-6.18.y-2.0.0.xmlInterimPlanned2026 Q32027 Q1
Yocto Walnascarimx-6.12.49-2.2.0.xmlInterimActive2026 Q12026 Q3
Yocto Scarthgapimx-6.6.52-2.2.2.xmlLTSActive2026 Q12028 Q4
Yocto Scarthgapimx-6.6.52-2.2.0.xml—InterimLegacy2025 Q12026 Q1
Yocto Scarthgapimx-6.6.23-2.0.0.xml—InterimLegacy2024 Q42025 Q1
Yocto Mickledoreimx-6.1.36-2.1.0.xml—InterimLegacy2023 Q42025 Q1
Yocto Kirkstonekirkstone-5.15.71-2.2.0.xml—LTSMaintenance2023 Q12026 Q4

TI Lifecycle Planning

ReleaseManifestSupported SoMsTypeStateRelease DateProjected EOL
Yocto Wrynose7.xx.xx_13.xx.xx.xxLTSPlanned2027 Q42030 Q4
Yocto Wrynose6.18.xx_12.xx.xx.xxInterimPlanned2026 Q42027 Q4
Yocto Scarthgap6.12.57_11.02.08.02LTSPlanned2026 Q22028 Q4
Yocto Scarthgap6.12.17_11.00.09.04InterimActive2025 Q42026 Q2
Yocto Scarthgap6.6.58_10.01.10.04InterimLegacy2025 Q22025 Q4
Yocto Kirkstone6.1.83_09.02.01.10LTSLegacy2024 Q42025 Q4
Yocto Dunfell5.10.168_08.06.00.42InterimLegacy2024 Q12024 Q4