INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
In the past, multiple hardware platforms were necessary to safely and independently host a general-purpose operating system (GPOS) and a real-time operating system (RTOS). Recently introduced software has changed this, enabling one or more RTOSs to run simultaneously with a GPOS on a single hardware platform. Deployment of multiple operating systems on multicore processor platforms reduces total hardware costs while increasing reliability and system performance, according to Real-Time Systems GmbH (Ravensburg, Germany). By leveraging modern multicore hardware architectures such as the Intel Core Duo processors, the company’s Hypervisor software can allocate processor cores, memory, and devices to individual operating systems.
The technology is suitable for embedded applications that simultaneously require hard real-time performance, data processing, visualization, and seamless enterprise connectivity. Hypervisor users can specify the boot sequence and reboot one operating system while the other remains fully operational. A configurable user-shared memory and a TCP/IP–based virtual network driver are also provided to facilitate communication between operating systems.
The firm also has developed software that accurately synchronizes distributed devices, eliminating the need for additional hardware-based time stamping. Using the precision time protocol (PTP), the program automatically synchronizes multiple devices with the most accurate clock available in a packet-based network. During operation and after initial synchronization, the PTP real-time clocks are constantly adjusted by exchanging timing messages. Statistical techniques are used to further reduce residual fluctuations. Because the RTS IEEE 1588 protocol stack supports the PTP hot-pluggable functionality requirement, devices may join or leave the network at any time. The RTS IEEE 1588 software stack is fully tested and is provided with documentation and an example of implementation on the VxWorks RTOS. In addition, open-source tools are available for free to monitor, tune, and analyze a PTP network. The source code is available to qualified customers.
