Software Variants on Tachyon
Tachyon supports a range of software variants and operating systems to suit different development needs. Below, we outline the current landscape, what works well, and where things fall short—particularly when certain upstream partners (ahem Qualcomm) drop the ball.
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is the primary supported OS for Tachyon. Our default image is Ubuntu 20.04, which is built and maintained by Particle.
In addition to 20.04, we also provide experimental builds for 22.04 and a more upstream build of 24.04, jointly developed by Canonical and Qualcomm. While these newer builds are shiny, they're missing some critical hardware support at the moment.
Ubuntu Build Comparison
| Feature | Ubuntu 20.04 (Particle) | Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04 (Canonical + Qualcomm) |
|---|---|---|
| Kernel Version | 5.3 | 6.8 |
| OS Version | 20.04 | 22.04 / 24.04 |
| Cellular | ✅ Present | ❌ Not Available |
| Wi-Fi Drivers | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Bluetooth Drivers | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Audio Support | Proprietary API | PulseAudio (available after Mar 28) |
| USB Audio | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported |
| GPS | ✅ Supported | ❌ Not Available |
| PCIe Support | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported |
| USB Support | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported |
| Display (DP over USB 3.1) | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported |
Download & Support
- Canonical/Qualcomm Ubuntu Builds – Official Site (link coming)
- Qualcomm Dev Discord – "Support" (link coming, if you can call it that)
Android
We also support Android 13 on Tachyon. If you're building a kiosk, smart display, or anything touchy-feely, Android might be your jam.
To flash the Android build:
- Download the zip file above.
- Boot the Tachyon board into EDL mode (hold the button for 5 seconds when the power is off)
- Run the following CLI command: particle flash --tachyon FILENAME.zip
Yocto Linux
Yocto is also supported via Qualcomm’s Linux Board Support Package (BSP). Target the RB3 Gen 2 board configuration.
If you’re trying to figure out what OS to use, here’s the TL;DR:
- Use Ubuntu 20.04 if you want everything to work.
- Use Ubuntu 24.04 for the cutting edge
- Use Android if you're building apps that run on the SBC
- Use Yocto if you are into hacking at Linux!
More updates coming soon, especially as we build out our own support matrix.