A Hardware-Based Real-Time Operating System

Abstract

The efficient use of multiprogrammed mdustnal control computers 1s largely a function of the relationship between hardware and software A shift in this relationship 1s desirable, smce multiprogrammed computers typically spend a large proportion of computing time in handling their own organization This situation 1s compounded m many tune-cntlcal mdustnal process-control applications This paper proposes that a possible solution hes m the adoption of a hardware-based real-time operating system The system consists of a rrucrocontroller work.mg m close relationship with a conventional rrumcomputer To retam a high degree offlexibihty, the rrucrocontroller makes use of m1croprogrammable, bipolar, b1t-shce rrucroprocessor elements In essense, the umt executes the pnncipal functions of a real-time operating system, acts as a pre-processor for all incorrung requests, and ensures a high rate of task switching The system has been applied m a senes of real-time expenmental configurations These were controlled successively by the conventional, software- implemented approach, and by the proposed system The respective performances were evaluated The new strategy 1s shown to result ma better and more econorrucal mdustnal controller.