> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.t3gemstone.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Minimal

> Minimal Image

<Note>
  Before reading this section, please do a quick search using these keywords:
  "Realtime Embedded Systems", "What is determinism in operating systems",
  "Realtime operating systems", "IOT projects"
</Note>

<Tip>
  Example resources:

  1. [Real-time Application of Embedded Systems Projects](https://mth.tc/mjBS)
  2. [Example of Embedded Systems](https://mth.tc/Q3ir3)
  3. [Example of IoT Projects](https://mth.tc/Sm3ZS)
  4. [Linux PREEMPT\_RT: Transforming General Purpose OS to Real-Time Platform](https://kureansiklopedi.com/en/detay/linux-preempt_rt-transition-from-a-general-purpose)
</Tip>

Imagine you're working on a robotic arm for factory automation. On a moving production line,
products of different colors pass by, and your system detects these products using cameras
and sensors on the robotic arm, then sorts them into different boxes based on color.
What would be the impact if your robotic arm responded 1 second late when detecting a red product?

<iframe className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sLKXQvUkWAU" title="Robotic Arm Demo" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowFullScreen />

For unmanned vehicles especially, it's crucial that the system boots quickly after powering on
the Gemstone board and that your applications respond and take action within expected timeframes.
When developing such embedded projects for drone applications, low-footprint, deterministic,
real-time operating systems are typically used. For example, the [PX4](https://mth.tc/gkgIy)
flight controller uses [Apache NuttX](https://github.com/t3gemstone/NuttX) OS, while other
systems often prefer operating systems like [FreeRTOS](https://www.freertos.org/Documentation/00-Overview).

The Linux kernel also has real-time capabilities like
[Tübitak GzIS](https://kureansiklopedi.com/en/detay/tubitak-gis-realtime-operating-system-e6542),
NuttX, FreeRTOS, vxWorks, and [Zephyr](https://www.zephyrproject.org/). Unlike these systems,
Linux offers the significant advantage of supporting hundreds of open-source projects. (However, it may have some disadvantages in critical systems.)
(See example article [here](https://mth.tc/jRzV))

The Gemstone Minimal image is optimized for fast boot times and deterministic behavior.
It does **not** include a desktop environment or graphical interface - only the essential
packages and drivers required for system operation are installed. This optimization reduces
the image size, enables faster boot times, and allows more efficient use of system resources.

<Frame caption="Selecting minimal image in Gemstone Imager application">
  <video controls className="w-full aspect-video" src="https://mintcdn.com/t3gemstone-754bcb96/7--u3124wdWV49r2/videos/gem-imager-select-minimal.mp4?fit=max&auto=format&n=7--u3124wdWV49r2&q=85&s=1e9a31c86acd9dc36e933245f4fddcaf" data-path="videos/gem-imager-select-minimal.mp4" />
</Frame>

1. Contains all hardware drivers like other images - serial ports, CANBUS, Ethernet etc. are fully supported
2. Ideal for projects without graphical requirements like IoT, unmanned vehicles, and automation systems