Mixed advantages and disadvantages of the "hard real-time" System for Embedded Linux Devices

The company is about to assign Linux a feature exclusively exclusive to proprietary software: fast response time assurance from automatic control of computers to projectors.

The California-based startup specializes in embedded computer devices, such as DVDs and telecommunications devices. However, the company has been unable to bring Linux into the embedded market, that is, the device that requires a hard real-time operating system to ensure a response within a specific and short period of time.

Monavista plans to announce its hard-to-live solution on the 12th, but has taken the lead in releasing a set of prototype patches on the 8th. In a letter sent to the Linux core mailing list, the programmer Sven-Thorsten Dietrich of montavista pointed out that hard real-time support is available for mobile phone communications, audio and video content playback, and the Global Positioning System (GPS) signal Processing of receivers and radar systems. Gordon Haff, analyst at illuminata, said hard instant systems are often essential to life-and-death electronic equipment, such as Wing Surface Control for Aircraft Computer Systems.

Haff said that the hard real-time system has its disadvantages: the average response time is slower than the traditional environment, and common operating systems are usually enough, especially when the system has a large amount of extra processing space, it ensures that no excessive burden will cause risks. He pointed out: "Hardware has become cheaper, and preparation of redundant hardware can replace hard real-time operating systems in many cases ."

Another suspect is Linux's creator and spiritual leader Linus Torvalds. "Almost no one needs to be real-time, even embedded devices," he said in an email ." Torvalds pointed out that the addition of this function will make the operating system more complex and increase the burden of "locking" programs, that is, the operating system ensures that different programs do not snatch the same resources at the same time.

"I personally think it is too invasive, at least at the current time," asked if the software of montavista would be at the core ." But it is still possible to join in a small part. Montavista has won several supporters. The "pre-sale" program prepared by the company's designers is now a major core part-not a specific requirement, but an option.

In addition to MontaVista, you can also choose traditional embedded operating System manufacturers, such as Wind River System and Green Hills Software. The former is the leader in embedded computers and has been away from Linux for many years, but is now a partner of Red Hat. FAMLabs sells a hybrid system that allows Linux to operate on an independent, real-time basis.

From: zdnet China