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Programming of Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) for Micro-Controllers

General Topic

A key characteristic of a real-time operating system (RTOS) is its consistency concerning the amount of time it takes to accept and complete an application's task. A RTOS has an advanced algorithm for scheduling tasks to meet important deadlines. Some types of RTOS are able to meet deadlines deterministically, thus they are used to control time critical tasks. Since embedded systems are very often used in time critical environments many RTOS were developed for embedded micro-controller with scarce resources. One example for such a time critical environment is a high accuracy multi axial object positioning system. The eRTOS operating system has been developed for controlling this object positioning system. (more information)

Company

In 2002 I worked for six months for the research group “Computer Architecture and Embedded Systems” at the Technical University of Ilmenau in Ilmenau (Thuringia). This work was part of my study curriculum (called Studienjahresarbeit – which is a self-reliant project work as a preparation for the diploma thesis). This research group developed control methods for high accuracy multi axial object positioning systems. I also worked for two months as a student research assistant for the research group “Telematics and Computer Networks” in the research area of RTOS for car entertainment and communication systems.

Task

Several different diploma theses and project works had already been engaged in developing a real-time operating system called eRTOS at the time I started my work for the research group. Due to this parallel development process several independent eRTOS versions and modules existed. My task was to merge these different versions and modules into a new consolidated eRTOS version. During this process I had to collect all observed errors in the code of the operating system and I have corrected them if possible. The resulting document should include a description of the functions of eRTOS and should be usable as a manual for eRTOS.
My task at the research group “Telematics and Computer Networks” was to compare different operating systems for car entertainment and communication systems and to assess their applicability for real-time applications.

Gained Experience

I have got to know internal concepts of real-time operating systems for micro-controller in embedded systems. For programming and testing of the new eRTOS version I used remote development hardware and software for Texas Instrument DSP.

For your further information a summary of my project work can be found here. The document is provided in German. Please see this link for legal notices and please keep in mind that this is one of the first scientific documents I have created on my own.