Mike Banahan - GBdirect

Real Time/Embedded C on Linux: An Introduction

Linux is increasingly being used in the embedded and real-time spaces. Real-time systems typically need to be able to guarantee a response to an external stimulus in bounded time, something which stock Linux is unable to do. Anyone who has sat waiting for a response from a system that is swapping heavily will be only too aware of the ability of Linux to appear not be be responding at all. Various approaches to solving the real-time problem have been proposed; this talk will look at those exemplified by RTLinux and RTAI. As well as providing an outline of how the solution works, time and effort will be expended on illustrating some of the synchronisation and locking issues that manifest themselves at this level of programming.

Kernel gurus and real-time experts may find the level rather basic, but those not used to programming multithreaded systems in real-time should find it useful and informative.