> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://dragonwingdocs.qualcomm.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Kernel overview

Qualcomm<sup>®</sup> Linux<sup>®</sup> facilitates porting and customizing the
Linux kernel to devices with Qualcomm hardware SoCs. It uses a long-term
support (LTS) Linux kernel (v6.18.x) and the GNU compiler collection (GCC)
toolchain that are compatible with the Yocto project.

The Qualcomm<sup>®</sup> Linux<sup>®</sup> kernel offers the following key features
and advancements related to the mainline Linux kernel on Qualcomm platforms:

* The Qualcomm Linux BSP is tailored to support devices using Qualcomm platforms.

* The device tree corresponds to the Qualcomm Linux development kits.

* Multiple customized build configurations are available to suit your requirements.

* The Qualcomm Linux kernel integrates into the Yocto build system.

* The Qualcomm Linux kernel aligns with the upstream LTS kernel.
  Qualcomm-specific additions are maintained separately.

* Support to configure, customize, and build kernel images that are flashed and booted on devices using Qualcomm hardware SoCs.

* Virtualization support for untrusted virtual machines using the KVM hypervisor.

* Periodic LTS merges from the corresponding LTS kernel branch to
  get the latest security and stability fixes.

The kernel is integrated with Qualcomm Linux meta layers to support Linux. Qualcomm Linux provides a way to build
and customize the kernel and other packages to define a distribution
according to the needs of a device or application.

<div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-2">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/qualcomm-prod/rpHTx_a6zriKQll9/System/Kernel/media/overview_list.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=rpHTx_a6zriKQll9&q=85&s=71b179426f7a2817b460bba39cc2529a" alt="Representation of Qualcomm Linux kernel workflow." width="1063" height="214" data-path="System/Kernel/media/overview_list.svg" />

  <p className="text-sm text-gray-700">Figure: Qualcomm Linux kernel workflow</p>
</div>

The Qualcomm Linux distribution supports the following hardware SoCs and
development kits:

**Table: Supported hardware SoCs and development kits**

| Hardware SoCs | Development kit                                                                                                                            |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| QCS6490       | QCS6490 Qualcomm Dragonwing<sup>™</sup> RB3 Gen 2 Core Development Kit, QCS6490 Dragonwing<sup>™</sup> RB3 Gen 2 optional mezzanine boards |
| QCS5430       | QCS5430 Dragonwing<sup>™</sup> RB3 Gen 2 Core Development Kit                                                                              |
| IQ-9075       | Qualcomm Dragonwing<sup>™</sup> IQ-9075                                                                                                    |
| IQ-8275       | Qualcomm Dragonwing<sup>™</sup> IQ-8275                                                                                                    |
| IQ-615        | Qualcomm Dragonwing<sup>™</sup> IQ-615                                                                                                     |

<Note>
  See the [Hardware SoCs](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-80022-115/soc.html) that are supported on Qualcomm Linux.
</Note>