Types of RTOS
Three types of RTOS systems are:
Hard Real Time :
In Hard RTOS, the deadline is handled very strictly which means that given task must start executing on specified
scheduled time, and must be completed within the assigned time duration.
Example: Medical critical care system, Aircraft systems, etc.
Firm Real time:
These type of RTOS also need to follow the deadlines. However, missing a deadline may not have big impact but
could cause undesired affects, like a huge reduction in quality of a product.
Example: Various types of Multimedia applications.
Soft Real Time:
Soft Real time RTOS, accepts some delays by the Operating system. In this type of RTOS, there is a deadline
assigned for a specific job, but a delay for a small amount of time is acceptable. So, deadlines are handled softly by
this type of RTOS.
Example: Online Transaction system and Livestock price quotation System.
Terms used in RTOS
Here, are essential terms used in RTOS:
Task – A set of related tasks that are jointly able to provide some system functionality.
Job – A job is a small piece of work that can be assigned to a processor, and that may or may not require
resources.
Release time of a job – It's a time of a job at which job becomes ready for execution.
Execution time of a job: It is time taken by job to finish its execution.
Deadline of a job: It's time by which a job should finish its execution.
Processors: They are also known as active resources. They are important for the execution of a job.
Maximum It is the allowable response time of a job is called its relative deadline.
Response time of a job: It is a length of time from the release time of a job when the instant finishes.
Absolute deadline: This is the relative deadline, which also includes its release time.
Features of RTOS
Here are important features of RTOS:
Occupy very less memory
Consume fewer resources
Response times are highly predictable
Unpredictable environment
The Kernel saves the state of the interrupted task ad then determines which task it should run next.
The Kernel restores the state of the task and passes control of the CPU for that task.
Factors for selecting an RTOS
Here, are essential factors that you need to consider for selecting RTOS:
Performance: Performance is the most important factor required to be considered while selecting for a
RTOS.
Middleware: if there is no middleware support in Real time operating system, then the issue of time-taken
integration of processes occurs.
Error-free: RTOS systems are error-free. Therefore, there is no chance of getting an error while performing
the task.
Embedded system usage: Programs of RTOS are of small size. So we widely use RTOS for embedded
systems.
Maximum Consumption: we can achieve maximum Consumption with the help of RTOS.
Task shifting: Shifting time of the tasks is very less.
Unique features: A good RTS should be capable, and it has some extra features like how it operates to
execute a command, efficient protection of the memory of the system, etc.
24/7 performance: RTOS is ideal for those applications which require to run 24/7.
Difference between in GPOS and RTOS
Here are important differences between GPOS and RTOS:
General-Purpose Operating Real-Time Operating System
System (GPOS) (RTOS)
It used for desktop PC and laptop. It is only applied to the embedded
application.
Process-based Scheduling. Time-based scheduling used like
round-robin scheduling.
Interrupt latency is not considered as Interrupt lag is minimal, which is
important as in RTOS. measured in a few microseconds.
No priority inversion mechanism is The priority inversion mechanism is
present in the system. current. So it can not modify by the
system.
Kernel's operation may or may not Kernel's operation can be
be preempted. preempted.
Priority inversion remain unnoticed No predictability guarantees
Applications of Real Time Operating System
Real-time systems are used in:
Airlines reservation system.
Air traffic control system.
Systems that provide immediate updating.
Used in any system that provides up to date and minute information on stock prices.
Defense application systems like RADAR.
Networked Multimedia Systems
Command Control Systems
Internet Telephony
Anti-lock Brake Systems
Heart Pacemaker
Disadvantages of RTOS
Here, are drawbacks/cons of using RTOS system:
RTOS system can run minimal tasks together, and it concentrates only on those applications which contain
an error so that it can avoid them.
RTOS is the system that concentrates on a few tasks. Therefore, it is really hard for these systems to do
multi-tasking.
Specific drivers are required for the RTOS so that it can offer fast response time to interrupt signals, which
helps to maintain its speed.
Plenty of resources are used by RTOS, which makes this system expensive.
The tasks which have a low priority need to wait for a long time as the RTOS maintains the accuracy of the
program, which are under execution.
Minimum switching of tasks is done in Real time operating systems.
It uses complex algorithms which is difficult to understand.
RTOS uses lot of resources, which sometimes not suitable for the system.
Summary:
RTOS is an operating system intended to serve real time application that process data as it comes in, mostly
without buffer delay.
It offers priority-based scheduling, which allows you to separate analytical processing from non-critical
processing.
Important components of RTOS system are: 1)The Scheduler, 2) Symmetric Multiprocessing, 3) Function
Library, 4) Memory Management, 5) Fast dispatch latency, and 6) User-defined data objects and classes
Three types of RTOS are 1) Hard time 2) Soft time ,and 3) Firm time
RTOS system occupy very less memory and consume fewer resources
Performance is the most important factor required to be considered while selecting for a RTOS.
General-Purpose Operating System (GPOS) is used for desktop PC and laptop while Real-Time Operating
System (RTOS) only applied to the embedded application.
Real-time systems are used in Airlines reservation system, Air traffic control system,etc.
The biggest drawback of RTOS is that the system only concentrates on a few tasks.
