Embedded Operating System
Overview
The embedded operating system is the operating system with limited features and is used in non-computer devices (embedded devices) to perform special tasks. The embedded operating system performs the task scheduling and works as the mediator between the hardware's electric signals and the software of the device. The real-time operating system is a type of embedded operating system, it performs tasks on a priority base and provides the result to the user in real-time.
What is an Embedded Operating System?
An Embedded system is an electronic device consisting of hardware and software designed to perform some specific tasks and usually, embedded systems are lightweight. Cameras, Traffic lights, Calculators, ATMs, Microwave ovens, Washing machines, etc are examples of embedded systems. The embedded operating system is the operating system with limited features and is used in non-computer devices (embedded devices) to perform special tasks only.
The embedded operating system connects the software and the hardware of the embedded system and controls all the functions to increase the efficiency of the task. The embedded operating system is not too large, it focuses on the efficiency of the device, and removes all the features which are not required or not much efficient. The embedded operating system has the main function to run the code which helps the system to perform its expected task.
Embedded operating systems are developed using programming code and it helps to convert electric signals from the hardware to high-level language such as C++ to provide the user with human-readable results or outputs in the form of voice, text, image, etc.
How does an Embedded OS Work?
In the modern era, there is a high need for complex product technology, this need opens the door for embedded software developers to create a variety of operating systems. The operating system works as the mediator between the software and the hardware of the device. It converts the electric signals of the hardware to high-language programming languages such as C and C++ and processes the user input to provide the expected output. There is a limited scope of operating system functions for the embedded operating system which helps the device run smoothly with maximum efficiency. Embedded Linux, Android, iOS, QNX, VxWorks, etc are some common examples of the embedded operating system.
Types of Embedded Operating Systems
The type of embedded operating system depends upon the device in which it is used. There are many types of embedded operating systems, let’s look into some of them:
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Real-Time Operating system: A real-time operating system, also known as RTOS, is a decision-making operating system with limited resources or functionalities which helps it to provide multi-threaded processes and good efficiency. There are many applications or processes which are time-critical means they must be executed within a particular time limit, in those applications real-time operating system is used. The real-time operating system is stored in the Read-Only Memory or ROM chips because these chips have the capability to store the data/programs for a long time. To perform a multi-tasking operating system creates the priority for each process to use a particular device or hardware, and to make each device work in the expected way Real-time operating system and the process are synchronized and can communicate with each other. The Real-time operating system is used in defence application system like RADAR, system or devices which provides the up to minute stock market information, air traffic controlling system, etc.
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Multitasking Operating system: As the name suggests, the Multitasking Operating system is a type of operating system which is capable of performing multi-tasking and can be used in devices with heavy uses. Due to multitasking quality, there is more than one process available most of the time to make good use of the device or hardware. Multitasking Operating System is mostly used in cell phones like android and ios are the best examples of it.
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Preemptive Operating system: As we have seen above multitasking operating system can perform many tasks at a single time but there is a disadvantage to this, which is to perform the multitasking, the operating system performs scheduling which takes a lot of time and also switches devices between the processes take time. Preempt means to stop or pause, this operating system pauses the process of low-priority processes and assigns them to the ones with high priority, which increases the efficiency. The preemptive operating system is usually found the devices such as computers. In computers many times it is needed to perform a specific task on high priority.
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Rate Monotonic Operating system: Rate monotonic Operating system is designed to perform the special task scheduling method. Rate Monotonic Operating system also known as RMOS works similar to the preemptive operating system and focuses on the time of the process and makes assures the process performs its task for a specific amount of duration or time. Usually, it focuses to perform the shorter tasks with a high priority which means all the processes are preempted with the short tasks. A Rate Monotonic Operating system is usually used in devices which perform multitasking.
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Single System Control Loop Operating system: The Single System Control Loop operating system is the most simple and basic type of operating system. This Operating system only performs a single and specific task. Also, this is a lightweight operating system and is under debate whether to consider it as a type of operating system or not. It is used in the devices like temperature-controlling devices, and thermostats. Single System control loop operating systems are used in motion detection lights because they perform only one task which is to glow when the motion is detected.
Characteristics of Embedded Operating System
Up to now, we have discussed the embedded operating system, how it works, and its types, now let’s look into its characteristics. There are many different types of characteristics of an embedded operating system. Let’s discuss the most common of them here:
- Real-time operations: Embedded operating system provides the facility to complete a particular task within a limited or specific time limit. It makes sure that there will be no premature executions or delays occurring in a particular process. Also, there are two types of real-time process first one are those which allows a certain delay and the other are hard, in which there is no chance of delay.
- Use of interrupts: If an event or process needs sudden attention, the signal emitted by the software or hardware is known as an interrupt. The embedded operating system provides the facility of the interrupts which means more control over the peripherals. It allows the pausing of a certain ongoing process when the scheduler receives interrupts and passes the CPU resources to the top priority process.
- Input/Output device flexibility: Embedded Operating system act as a mediator between the software and hardware and schedules process on the basis of priority to provide a smooth input/output process. For example, in an ATM machine user provides inputs and gets output from the machine.
- Reactive operation: A user can provide an input to the device and gets an output. This means this feature provides the facility for users to provide input when needed and the embedded operating system will work according to that call like an alarm clock, at a given time by the user it rings.
- Streamlined protection: Embedded operating system provides protection to the devices in many ways like data security. Also, it removes or eliminates the extra
Embedded Operating Systems Examples
There are many types of embedded operating systems used in daily life, we will discuss some popular of them below:
eCos: eCos stands for Embedded Configurable Operating System and it supports many embedded CPUs. It is implemented using C and C++ programming languages and it is a real-time operating system. eCos is used in various devices such as Motorola 68000, ARM, CalmRISC, etc. and these hardware devices provide the features of selectable scheduling policy, low interrupt latency, etc.
Mbed OS: Mbed OS is used to create the applications using Mbed online IDE (which is a free online compiler and code editor). As the project is compiled on the cloud only a web browser is needed to create the applications for this Operating system. Mbed Operating system is used to create the online integrated development environment for different types of software.
VxWorks: VxWorks is the upgraded version of VRTX which was a simple real-time operating system. VxWorks consists of an integrated development environment (IDE) and file system. VxWorks operating system provides multitasking and round-robin scheduling. VxWorks is used to ensure reliability, safety, and security which means such an operating system is used to design mission-critical devices such as Airplanes.
FreeRTOS: FreeRTOS is developed using the C programming language which makes it easy to maintain and port. Some features of FreeRTOS are that it provides fast execution, low overhead, and a small memory size. FreeRTOS is used in microcontrollers with low power consumption and small size like fitness tracker devices, sensors, etc.
QNX: QNX operating system is based on a microkernel. QNX divides the tasks into small tasks and this process is known as resource management. QNX is used in automotive projects which required a certificate of functional security like ADAS systems or automated drives.
Embedded Operating System Uses
The embedded operating system is used in a wide range of from small calculators to ATMs to the aeroplane navigation system they are present in many devices. Let’s look into some of the most popular devices or hardware which consist of the embedded operating system:
- ATMs: ATMs have a basic operating system that makes a machine read a user’s debit or credit card and verify the user’s PIN to provide many banking operations.
- Cellphones: iOS, Android, etc, are very common examples of mobile operating systems. These operating systems act as a mediator between the hardware and the user and provide various operations.
- Electric Vehicles: In the vehicle, the microcontrollers hold the embedded operating system to handle the pressure sensing or breaks. The operating system present in the vehicles is also known as a reactive operating system because it reacts to the input like to release the airbags it senses the pressure on the front bumper.
- Traffic Lights: To change the traffic light at a particular interval operating system is included in them.
- Medical Equipment: Many medical types of equipment work automatically to provide the proper medical help to the patients, also it alerts the doctors or the staff if any bio contents fall or exceed the healthy range.
- Navigation system of plane: Plane Navigation system is an example of a real-time operating system. Almost every control system of the aeroplane such as pressure controls, engine, wings, and safety is connected to the main computer which provides all the connectivity between the hardware and the user or the pilots.
There are many other examples that consist of the embedded operating system, like calculators, special LED lights, toys, watches, etc.
Advantages of Embedded Operating System
An Embedded Operating system is very useful software and provides a large number of advantages, let’s look into some of them:
- It is very lightweight which makes it very quick to perform operations or load.
- It is not much expensive and easily affordable.
- Due to the lightweight and limited work scope, it’s easy to manage.
- The embedded operating system is very stable and reliable.
- There are many interconnections provided by it.
- It has very less power consumption and helps to enhance the quality of the product.
Disadvantages of Embedded Operating System
With a wide range of advantages, the embedded operating system has many disadvantages also. Let’s look into some of the disadvantages of the embedded operating system:
- Troubleshooting is harder in devices which contain the embedded operating system.
- Generally, devices that have embedded operations have limited resources for memory.
- Programs and files of the embedded operating system are not easy to handle.
- The embedded operating system is hardware-based and designed for specific purpose and hardware which make them un-updatable.
- As we have discussed that embedded operating systems are un-updatable and also lead that we cannot improve once it’s developed.
- The embedded operating system is hardware limited and if any problem occurs, the user has to reset the whole settings.
Conclusion
- The embedded operating system is the operating system with limited features and is used in non-computer devices (embedded devices) to perform special tasks.
- The embedded operating system performs the task scheduling and works as the mediator between the hardware's electric signals and the software of the device.
- A real-time operating system, also known as RTOS, is a decision-making operating system with limited resources or functionalities which helps it to provide multi-threaded processes and good efficiency.
- There are many different types of characteristics of an embedded operating system like Real-time operations, use of interrupts, input/Output device flexibility, Reactive operation, Streamlined protection, etc.
- There are various types of embedded operating systems used in the real life some of its examples are eCos, Mbed OS, VxWorks, FreeRTOS, QNX, etc.
- The embedded operating system is used in a wide range of from small calculators to ATMs to the aeroplane navigation system they are present in many devices.
- The embedded operating system is very lightweight which makes it very quick to perform operations or load, It is not much expensive and easily affordable.
- Troubleshooting is harder in devices which contain an embedded operating system and generally, devices that have an embedded operating have limited resources for memory.