Jun
13
An embedded operating system (OS) or Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) is a multitasking operating system intended for real-time applications and designed to be very compact and efficient, forsaking many functions that non-embedded computer operating systems provide. It facilitates the creation of a real-time system, but does not guarantee the final result will be real-time; this requires correct development of the software. An embedded OS or RTOS provides facilities which, if used properly, guarantee deadlines can be met generally (soft real-time) or deterministically (hard real-time). It is valued more for how quickly or predictably it can respond to a particular event than for the amount of work it can perform over a given period of time. Such applications in embedded systems include point-of-sale terminals, household appliance controllers, medical monitoring equipment and automotive controls.
