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Yes—LFD123 is listed at $0 by the Linux Foundation and remains available as an online, self-paced course. It teaches the practical basics of configuring and porting the open-source RT-Thread real-time operating system to RISC-V microcontroller hardware, with a particular focus on RV32. The official course page estimates 15–18 hours and 90 days of access. It is a good fit for learners with some C/C++ and embedded-development experience, but not an ideal first programming or electronics course.
What is LFD123?
Open Source RT-Thread RTOS on RISC-V (LFD123) is a Linux Foundation Education course announced on April 9, 2025. The official listing describes it as intermediate, online and self-paced, with hands-on labs, assignments and discussion forums. It lists the course at $0, estimates 15–18 hours of material, and advertises 90 days of access. The original announcement called it an 18-hour course, so “roughly 15–18 hours” is the most useful expectation rather than a guaranteed completion time.
The course is narrower than a general RISC-V curriculum: its focus is using RT-Thread on embedded RISC-V hardware, including the work involved in bringing an RTOS up on a target. The public course page also lists a digital badge and certificate of completion. Those are completion credentials, not evidence of an independently proctored professional certification.
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What you’ll learn
The official outline moves from concepts to implementation across seven chapters:
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- Flexible MCU Board: Incorporate the ESP32-C3 32-bit RISC-V chip, operating up to 160 MHz, mounted multiple development ports,
- Developer Friendly: Compatible with Arduino IDE, MicroPython, CircuitPython, PlatformIO, ESP IDF, Zephyr, Matter, ESPNow, Meshtastic, WLED, ESPHome, Home Assistant, Ubidots
- Outstanding RF performance: Complete Wi-Fi functions and Bluetooth Low Energy, while supporting communication over 100m with anFL antenna
- Elaborate Power Design: 4 working modes as low as 44 μA in deep sleep mode, while supporting lithium battery charge management
- Thumb-sized Design: 21 x 17.5mm, Seeed Studio XIAO series classic form factor
- Course introduction.
- RT-Thread RTOS fundamentals.
- RISC-V processors and the hardware platform.
- RT-Thread environment setup.
- Porting RT-Thread to an RV32 hardware platform.
- Building applications with RT-Thread and RISC-V.
- Contributing to the open-source RISC-V and RT-Thread projects.
The course also advertises RISC-V architecture and assembly, multithreaded programming, device-driver development, and application building. In practical terms, expect to work through a toolchain and project setup, configure a target, build firmware, and examine how the RTOS and board support fit together. The public page does not expose the lab handouts, exact target board, or exact commands, so check those details in the learner portal rather than relying on assumptions.
What does “porting an RTOS” mean?
Porting is more than writing an application for a board that already has a working RTOS port. It means adapting the operating system to a processor and board so that the kernel can start, schedule work, and use the hardware reliably. Depending on the target, that work can include CPU-specific context switching, startup code, interrupt handling, memory layout, timers and clocks, and a board-support package (BSP) that connects drivers and peripherals to the kernel.
RT-Thread provides common RTOS facilities such as threads, scheduling, semaphores, message queues, timers and memory management. Its source separates kernel code from architecture- and board-related support. The project supports multiple architectures, including RISC-V, and its repository identifies the software as Apache License 2.0. That license applies to RT-Thread software; it is separate from the course’s price, access window and completion credential. See the RT-Thread source repository.
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- CH32V003 Development Minimum System Board for Nano RISC-V CH32V003F4U6 Chip TYPE-C USB 22Pin
- on-board 24MHz Crystal oscillator
- Power by TYPE-C USB
RISC-V itself is an open instruction-set architecture, not one chip or board. Vendors implement it in different microcontrollers and SoCs, with different peripherals, memory maps, interrupt controllers and debugging arrangements. As a result, support for the RISC-V instruction set does not automatically mean a board has a ready-to-use RT-Thread BSP. An RV32 lab project may also need changes before it works on another vendor’s device.
Who should take it—and what should you know first?
The Linux Foundation lists embedded developers, firmware engineers, RTOS enthusiasts, IT professionals and people interested in IoT or robotics among its intended learners. The practical fit is someone who can already write basic C or C++ and is comfortable enough with embedded development to build and troubleshoot a project.
The official prerequisites include:
- Basic C/C++ programming skills.
- Basic computer-architecture knowledge.
- Basic familiarity with RISC-V architecture and RTOS concepts.
- Embedded-development experience in a Windows environment.
If you have never used a compiler, debugger, serial console, microcontroller board or build system, you may find the setup and porting sections difficult without preparation. The Windows prerequisite is explicit; learners on Linux or macOS should not assume every lab step is validated on those systems. Use Windows, or confirm a supported alternative in the current course instructions or forum before planning around another platform.
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- The ESP32-C3 SUPERMINI is positioned as a high-performance, low-power, cost-effective IoT mini development board, suitable for low-power IoT applications and wireless wearable applications
- It is equipped with a rich set of interfaces, including 11 digital I/Os that can be used as PWM pins and 4 analog I/Os that can be used as ADC pins.
- It supports four serial interfaces, including UART, I2C, and SPI.
- The ESP32-C3 features a 32-bit RISC-V CPU, including an FPU (Floating Point Unit) capable of 32-bit single-precision
- Package: 2PCS ESP32-C3 MINI Development Board ESP32 SuperMini ESP32 C3 WiFi Module
Software and hardware: confirm the lab details first
The course page names RT-Studio IDE V2.2.8 for its labs. RT-Thread describes Studio as an environment for project creation, code editing, SDK and RT-Thread configuration, build and debug setup, downloading and debugging. However, the RT-Thread download page lists V2.3.0 as the latest release in the available listing. That does not establish that the LFD123 labs have been updated to V2.3.0.
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For fewer avoidable differences, start with the version specified by the course. A newer IDE can have changed menus, SDK packages, board definitions or build behavior. If V2.2.8 is unavailable and you use a later version, expect to translate instructions and note the version when asking for help. Check the course page and RT-Thread’s download page before installing.
The public course summary advertises hands-on labs and an RV32 hardware-platform module, but it does not identify a universally required commercial board or clarify whether lab hardware is supplied, remotely hosted, emulated or learner-provided. Confirm the hardware and access requirements after logging in; do not buy a board solely on the basis of the announcement. If you plan to use your own board, check the RT-Thread supported-board directory and match the exact chip and BSP, debugger, serial access and lab target. A generic “RISC-V” label is not enough to establish compatibility.
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- ESP32-C6 WiFi 6 microcontroller development board adopts ESP32-C6-WROOM-1-N8 module, which is equipped with RISC-V 32-bit single-core processor, up to 160MHz main frequency, built-in 8MB Flash
- Integrates WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5 and and IEEE 802.15.4 (Zigbee 3.0 and Thread) wireless communication, with superior RF performance
- Integrates rich peripherals including SPI, UART, I2C, I2S, LED PWM, SDIO and other interfaces, compatible with the pinout of ESP32-C6-DevKitC-1-N8 development board, more convenient to use and expand a variety of peripheral modules
- Onboard CH343 and CH334 USB HUB chips, supports USB and UART development at the same time via a USB-C port
- Comes with online examples and tutorials for ESP-IDF development environment
Is the course really free?
The official LFD123 listing displays $0, so the course itself is listed as free to enroll in. A Linux Foundation account and portal login are needed to enroll. “Free” does not necessarily mean there can be no incidental expense: a learner may need compatible hardware, cables or other setup, depending on what the portal’s labs require. The publicly visible listing also states a 90-day access period, so plan to complete the work within that window and verify the terms shown at enrollment.
The course page lists both a certificate of completion and a digital badge. Treat them as evidence of completing the course, not as an exam-based certification or proof of professional competence. If you specifically need an assessed credential, compare the separate RISC-V Foundational Associate exam and its current catalog terms rather than assuming LFD123 includes it.
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It is a worthwhile, focused option if you already have basic embedded skills and want guided exposure to RTOS porting on RISC-V. Its advantages are a $0 listed price, labs, a defined RV32 porting focus, and a forum for learner questions. The trade-offs are meaningful: the prerequisites are intermediate, the public listing leaves hardware logistics unclear, the course IDE version may differ from the latest release, and a short course cannot make every vendor’s RISC-V board interchangeable or cover the full depth of professional BSP and driver work.
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- Ample PSRAM Storage – The development board offers 8MB PSRAM, providing substantial extra memory for handling more complex tasks, large data buffers, and advanced processing.
- Enhanced Multi-Tasking Capability – With the additional 8MB PSRAM, the ESP32-C5-WIFI6-KIT can efficiently manage multiple protocol stacks simultaneously, ensuring smooth operation in multi-tasking IoT environments.
- Support for Medium-Load Applications – The 8MB PSRAM allows the ESP32-C5 to handle medium-load applications more effectively, making it ideal for scenarios requiring real-time data processing or continuous communication.
- Seamless Performance – The increased memory improves the overall performance and responsiveness of the device, particularly when running applications with larger memory footprints or more demanding computations.
- Future-Proof for Complex Projects – With 8MB of PSRAM, developers are better equipped to build scalable, high-performance solutions that support both current and future IoT use cases, offering flexibility for future-proofing designs.
It is a poor match if you are looking for a beginner programming course, general embedded Linux training, a universal introduction to all RISC-V development, or a formal certification. It may also be less useful if you have only an ARM board and do not intend to work with RISC-V. The course’s career value is unquantified; the available listing does not establish hiring outcomes or employer recognition.
Which learning path should you choose?
If your main goal is RTOS porting and embedded application work, LFD123’s specific focus is the point. If you need a more basic foundation or a different emphasis, the Linux Foundation catalog lists other RISC-V options, including:
- Introduction to RISC-V (LFD110): a beginner-level foundation, a more appropriate starting point if the architecture itself is new to you.
- Foundations of RISC-V Assembly Programming (LFD117x): an assembly-focused path.
- RISC-V Fundamentals (LFD210): broader fundamentals; the catalog listing has shown a $99 price, which can change.
- Porting Software to RISC-V (LFD114): a more advanced software-porting focus.
- RISC-V Foundational Associate (RVFA): a separate paid assessment for learners seeking a formal exam credential.
These courses are not interchangeable, and LFD123 is described as an optional extension—not a prerequisite—for the RVFA exam path. Check the current RISC-V catalog for availability and prices. For self-study, RT-Thread’s documentation, board directory and source code are useful references.
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- Open the official LFD123 page and sign in to the Linux Foundation training portal.
- Before starting, confirm the current access period, lab hardware model or access method, operating-system expectations and IDE version inside the portal.
- Refresh C fundamentals, pointers, basic architecture, interrupts, timers, stacks and RTOS concepts. Review the RISC-V basics needed to follow the architecture material.
- Install the lab-specified RT-Studio version, then complete environment setup before attempting the porting chapter.
- Reserve enough study time to finish within the advertised 90-day access period. Keep the course forum available for setup, version and board-support questions.
A sensible lab workflow is to create or import the course’s RT-Thread project, select its target/BSP, configure the kernel and peripherals, build the firmware, download it to the supported target, and use serial output or debugging to check startup and a basic multithreaded application. The course may use a particular process or target; follow its current lab material rather than substituting another board or invented commands.
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