μT-Kernel 2.0 follows the design policy of the earlier μT-Kernel 1.0 (μT-Kernel 1.00 and 1.01), and the specification was designed to make it easy to customize and optimize the systems for small-scale embedded computer systems. At the same time, the compatibility with T-Kernel 2.0 was considered, and the distribution and portability of device drivers and middleware was targeted.
For supporting the optimization and customization, the features that are unlikely to be used for small-scale embedded systems or can introduce overhead are removed, and features to use resources efficiently are introduced. Unlike T-Kernel 2.0, the unique source repository is not the target and it is possible to develop customized μT-Kernel implementations.
To assure portability and to facilitate distribution, the strong standardization as in the case of T-Kernel 2.0 assures the portability between different μT-Kernel 2.0 implementations, and the uniform interface adopted from T-Kernel 2.0 assure the high compatibility with T-Kernel 2.0. Specifically, functions that exist both in μT-Kernel 2.0 and T-Kernel have the same interface, and the data type definition in μT-Kernel 2.0is the same of that of T-Kernel 2.0. If only common features of μT-Kernel 2.0 and T-Kernel 2.0 are used, and porting guideline is closely followed during the development of a program, a simple re-compilation will finish the porting of the program. In a sense, the functions that exist only in μT-Kernel 2.0 may be viewed as extension from the viewpoint of T-Kernel 2.0. The extension has been done deliberately to make it a natural extension based on the existing features of T-Kernel 2.0, and so the modification of the programs that use such extended functions will be minimum, almost nil, during porting to T-Kernel 2.0.
Note also that the specification include the device driver management function to improve the portability and facilitate distribution. Using these facilities, it is possible to write and use device drivers in the same manner as T-Kernel, and the portability is improved and distribution becomes easier.