An operation within a larger dynamic system is called a real-time operation if the combined reaction- and operation-time of a task operating on current events or input, is no longer than the maximum delay allowed, in view of circumstances outside the operation. The task must also occur before the system to be controlled becomes unstable. A real-time operation is not necessarily fast, as slow systems can allow slow real-time operations. This applies for all types of dynamically changing systems. The polar opposite of a real-time operation is a batch job with interactive timesharing falling somewhere in between the two extremes.
Alternately, a system is said to be hard real-time if the correctness of an operation depends not only upon the logical correctness of the operation but also upon the time at which it is performed. An operation performed after the deadline is, by definition, incorrect, and usually has no value. In a soft real-time system the value of an operation declines steadily after the deadline expires.
A typical example could be a computer-controlled braking system in a car. If the driver can stop a car before it hits a wall, the operation was in real-time; if the car hits the wall it was not. Many machines require real-time controllers to avoid "instability", which could lead to the accidental damage or destruction of the system, people, or objects.
More on [ Real-time ]

AI Lab Zurich: Links: Embedded and Real-Time Systems - Medium-size link page; several categories.
C Kernel - Realtime preemptive kernel coded fully in C, so is highly portable to different hardware platforms and easily embeddable; Descriptions, full source code, examples, C Style Guide and programming Guidelines. [Free]
Meta Description: [ The C Kernel pages and C Programming Guidelines ]
CMX Company - Makes multitasking RTOS products: CMX-RTX (full RTOS), CMX-TINY+ (small RTOS), CMX-TCP/IP, CMXBug, CMXTracker. These support most 8/16/32/64-bit embedded controllers, processors, DSPs, over 30 compiler vendors.
Meta Description: [ Small and fast real-time software, including real time operating systems(RTOS), TCP/IP stacks, and C compilers for embedded systems designers. ]
CsLEOS - A RTOS for high safety systems, brick-wall time, space partitioning of separate loaded programs with different levels of criticality, for greatly reduced test, certification costs, compliant to ARINC653 open system interface definition. By BAE Systems North America.
embOS - A RTOS for embedded uses, multitasking, minimum cost no royalty, fully interruptible, efficient for time critical uses, RAM and ROM needs are so small it fits one-chip uses, leaving more room for user programs. By Segger Microcontroller Systeme GmbH.
Meta Description: [ Embedded Software Solutions, RTOS, GUI, File system, JTAG emulator: check out the free trial versions. ]
Enea Embedded Technology - Develops and distributes the OSE family of real-time operating systems and embedded development tools for high reliability telecom/datacom, medical, automotive and safety critical applications.
Folsena Microsystems - Makes Mavos preemptive, realtime micro (compact) OS; highly portable, is all one needs to run native and J2ME CLDC Java (VM) programs on embedded or wireless systems.
Meta Description: [ Folsena provides the Mavos micro operating system for real-time java
applications on the embedded platform ]
Fusion RTOS - A fast (190 cycle context switch), small (1-1.5 K), designed and optimized for next generation DSP systems; and Fusion Net (TCP/IP Stack), Fusion Web (services); all support priority based, realtime, preemptive, multitasking. By DSPOS, Inc.
Meta Description: [ Fusion RTOS is a priority based, real-time, preemptive, multitasking operating system designed for high-performance DSPs. ]
IRIX REACT - A real-time extensions that are standard with SGI's IRIX Unix OS. By Silicon Graphics, Inc.
Meta Description: [ Introduction to REACT, Real-time solutions for IRIX ]
Jaluna OSware - Virtualization platform that allows embedded products to run heterogeneous operating systems and applications.
JMI Software Systems, Inc. - Makes C EXECUTIVE and PSX multitasking, ROMable kernels for embedded systems. C EXECUTIVE runs on 8/16/32 bit CISC CPUs, many RISC CPUs, DSPs, over 20 so far: fast context switching, compact. Options: DOS file system, TCP/IP, SNMP. PSX is a medium-size kernel, between small basic kernels and full Unix; optional subset of POSIX.1 system calls.
Meta Description: [ C EXECUTIVE and PSX from JMI Software Systems, Inc. are real-time, multi-tasking,ROMable kernels for embedded systems. C EXECUTIVE is available for 8-, 16- and 32-bit CISCprocessors, a wide variety of RISC processors, and DSP. It provides fast context switching,small kernel size, and support for ... ]
KADAK Products Ltd. - Makes AMX RTOS, KwikNet TCP/IP Stack and Web Server, KwikLook Fault Finder, KwikPeg GUI with graphics library. A high quality real-time software foundation for embedded products.
Meta Description: [ KADAK Products Ltd. provides its AMX RTOS,
embedded TCP/IP stack and web server, embedded GUI and graphics products
for real-time multitasking system development. ]
Melody - In safety-critical systems (nuclear power plants, automated robot control systems, automatic aircraft landing systems) tasks must meet deadlines, most of which are critical since the system cannot survive with some number of deadline failures of subsequent task instances. University Dortmund, Germany.
Micrium uC/OS-II Simulator - Environment for uC/OS-II RTOS on Win32 platform; has 2 main modules, run as normal programs: module 1 (WCOS) runs RTOS with embedded program, module 2 (WSim) has functions to run and control full simulation with any hardware platform.
Micrium, Inc. - Makes µC/OS, µC/OS-II (MicroC/OS, MicroC/OS-II), full source code, no royalty, free non-commercial use; other software for embedded use: Embedded Systems Building Blocks, µC/GUI for most 8- to 64-bit processors, µC/FS FAT filesystem.
Meta Description: [ Micrium is Empowering Embedded systems via ANSI C source code for RTOS, GUI, File System and TCP/IP stack. Book or manuals documentation format ]
MQX - RTOS, no royalty, tightly integrated RTCS TCP/IP network stacks, many communication and networking protocols; suite of components, tools for embedded use, device drivers, software-development tools.
Meta Description: [ MQX Embedded - Proven Software Powering Smarter Devices ]
NewMonics, Inc. - Leading supplier of Java-compliant virtual machines for embedded and real-time systems.
NexGen Software - French software house that designs and markets an Open Embedded TCP/IP suite designed for demanding embedded applications: TCP, HTTP, PPP, VoIP.
Meta Description: [ NexGen Software is a French software house who designs and markets an Embedded TCP/IP suite designed for the demanding embedded applications. ]
On Time Informatik GmbH - Makes RTOS-32, and realtime multitasking development tools, for x86-based embedded systems; no royalty, full source code available on all products. Supports Borland, Microsoft, Watcom C/C++ compilers; DOS, Win32 compatible API gives easy ports of extant programs.
Meta Description: [ On Time RTOS-32. Win32 API Compatible Embedded RTOS. On Time's royalty-free embedded operating system for protected mode 32-bit x86 CPUs meets hard real-time requirements and implements a Windows subset kernel in only 16k of memory. It can be fully integrated in Microsoft Visual Studio and suppor... ]
OS-X - Priority-based, preemptive multitasking OS for Z80/Z180, written in TML2 and Z80 machine code; bank switched: can run processes in separate address spaces (memory banks), letting 16-bit Z80s run very many processes and host much software and data areas.
Meta Description: [ Francis Z80 software download page. ]
Quadros Systems, Inc. - Makes RTXC 3.2 and RTXC Quadros, for convergent processing in embedded uses. Seamless use with microprocessors, DSPs. Configurations: single stack, dual stack, multi stack; multicore, multiprocessing.
Meta Description: [ Quadros Systems, Inc. home of RTXC Quadros, the leading RTOS for convergent processing in embedded applications with four highly scalable and configurable kernel frameworks, offering distinct performance advantages for each of the major processing models--control processing, signal/data-intensive... ]
Salvo - The RTOS that Runs in Tiny Places: designed expressly for very low cost embedded systems with severely limited ROM and RAM and/or no software stack. Priority-based, cooperative multitasking, event services, and real-time delays. By Pumpkin, Inc.
SCIOPTA RTOS - Assembly coded high performance kernels, internet protocols (TCP/IP), filesystem, support for distributed systems, DRUID system level debugger. Supports most 32-bit processors; COMPACT is for 8/16-bit controllers. By Litronic AG.
SMX - No royalty, full featured, fast, preemptive kernel. Unlike generic C kernels, it exploits strengths of x86 architecture and makes them easily used by programmers. Optimal mix of speed, compactness, functions. Supports ColdFire, PowerPC, x86. By Micro Digital, Inc.
Meta Description: [ smx is a real-time multitasking kernel for
use in embedded systems. It is specifically designed for demanding real-time
applications. smx offers a full suite of kernel services. It focuses on the
x86, PowerPC, ColdFire, and SH processor families and has many features to
facilitate development for... ]
SMX - A no-royalty modular multitasking small footprint RTOS for embedded systems. Portable to all 32-bit processors; focuses on ARM, ColdFire, PowerPC, and x86. By Micro Digital, Inc.
Meta Description: [ SMX is a no royalty embedded RTOS for use in
embedded systems. It is specifically designed for demanding real-time
applications and focuses on the x86, ARM, ColdFire, and PowerPC processor
families. SMX offers a full suite of components, including preemptive
multitasking kernel, file manager, TCP... ]
SW Datentechnik GmbH - Realtime software, hardware, services: QNX, SQL, multiplatform RAD, portable UNIX-Windows, networking, RAID, multiport.
Meta Description: [ SW Datentechnik GmbH: Third Party Distribution, Hardware, Software und Services rund um Echtzeit, Embedded Systems und QNX für Deutschland und Europa: Multiportlösungen, Netzwerklösungen, RAD Tools und RAID Systeme von Cogent, Comtrol, Connect Tech, Corman, Danpex, Online Data und RaidTech, QN... ]
TenAsys Corp. - Makes iRMX family of real-time operating systems gives engineers ability to design reliable, RT applications for Intel Architecture processor-based systems: PC-compatible, embedded, Multibus and Multibus II computers.
Meta Description: [ TenAsys - Dedicated to providing products that reduce the cost of computer-based control systems by adopting cost-effective PC hardware and software. ]
Tics Realtime - Simple yet powerful; small yet flexible; comprehensive yet easy to use and understand. Modern message-based architecture. Introduced June 1992, many uses: cell phones, small handheld devices, large factory automation systems, Space Shuttle.
TurboTask RTOS - For Z80 and Z180 compatible processors; full-featured, tiny, size ranges from 1k to 2.5k, set by features used; written in pure Assembly, making it maximally small, fast; no royalty; low cost licenses for binary and full source code. By Softools, Inc.
VenturCom, Inc. - Enabling Windows NT and Windows CE for embedded and real-time applications
Meta Description: [ The Ardence Virtualization and Software Streaming Platform streams operating systems and applications on-demand to desktops and servers from network storage; centralizing IT management; and increasing both security and dependability. The Ardence Virtualization and Software-Streaming Platform has ... ]
500
VITA - The VMEbus International Trade Association
Meta Description: [ VITA is the organization driving technology and standards for the bus and board industry. Committed to open standards for embedded computing, VITA members share in advancing specifications and creating market awareness for technologies. ]
Wind River Systems, Inc. - Makes pSOSystem, OSEKWorks, Virtuoso, VxWorks RTOSs (and BSD/OS). Merged with Integrated Systems, Inc., world leader in providing full embedded system software and design automation solutions: software, hardware, custom design, world-class support.
Meta Description: [ Wind River is the global leader in Device Software Optimization (DSO). Wind River enables companies to develop, run, and manage device software faster, better, at lower cost, and more reliably. ]
XPOLYPLUS - A realtime OS and development system for developing programs for industrial automation, telecontrol, machine automation. English, Italian.
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