A real-time operating system is an operating system designed to handle real-time tasks. Its main characteristic is its ability to respond to external events and accomplish related tasks within a defined time frame.
Unlike general operating systems, real-time operating systems need to meet the stringent requirements for task execution time and response time, especially in the fields of embedded systems, aerospace, automotive control, and medical devices, where real-time requirements are very high. The following is a detailed description of the characteristics of real-time operating systems, their application areas, and some of the classic real-time operating systems.
Features:
Strict time constraints: The real-time operating system must complete the task response within the specified time, including the task start time and task completion time. This characteristic is called Hard Real-Time (Hard Real-Time).
Predictability: real-time operating systems need to have predictable performance, task execution time can be estimated, the system's response time is controllable.
Multitasking: A RTOS can handle multiple tasks simultaneously, each with its own deadline and execution priority.
Interrupt processing: the real-time operating system can effectively deal with the interrupt request of external events, to ensure that the corresponding interrupt handling procedures are completed within the specified time.
Task scheduling: real-time operating systems use a variety of scheduling algorithms to ensure that high-priority tasks are prioritized to meet real-time requirements.
Resource management: real-time operating systems need to system resources (such as CPU, memory, peripherals, etc.) for effective management and allocation to ensure that each task can get the necessary resources to support.
Second, the application field:
Embedded system: real-time operating system is widely used in embedded systems, such as smart home control system, industrial control system, embedded automobile control system.
Aerospace: In the field of aerospace, real-time operating systems are used in flight control systems, navigation systems, etc., to ensure the stability and safety of aircraft.
Automotive control: RTOS is widely used in automotive electronic control units (ECUs), including engine control, braking system, air-conditioning system and so on.
Medical equipment: RTOS is used in medical equipment, such as pacemakers, respiratory machines, surgical robots, etc., to ensure the stable operation of medical equipment.
Communication system: In the field of communication, real-time operating system is used in network equipment, base station control, etc., to ensure real-time data transmission.