A Common Interface Real-Time Multiprocessor Operating System for Embedded Systems

Large real time applications such as aerospace avionics systems, battle management, and factory automation place many demands and constraints on the computing system not found in other applications. Software development is hindered by software dependence on the computer architecture and the lack of portability between systems. This thesis specifies and designs a real time multiprocessor operating system RTMOS that implements a consistent programming model, enabling the development of real time parallel software independent of the target architecture. The RTMOS defines the core functionality required to demonstrate the programming model. The RTMOS functional requirements are specified using Structured Analysis and Design Technique SADT. A hybrid of the Design Approach for Real-Time Software DARTS is used to perform the preliminary and detailed designs. The preliminary design is architecture- independent the detailed design phase maps the design to a specific parallel system, the Intel iPSC2 hypercube. The modular RTMOS design partitions operating system operations and data structures from hardware-dependent functions for portability.