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Japan
Volume 81 (Jan 21, 2009)
The advent of a POSIX-based real-time operating system compatible with 32-bit V850 microcontrollers
A POSIX-based real-time OS compatible with NEC Electronics' 32-bit V850 microcontrollers has made its debut, thereby enabling operation of Linux and other UNIX software programs using the V850. This article introduces Shozo Takeoka, president and CEO of AXE, Inc., and Chinatsu Ikeda of NEC Electronics' General-Purpose Microcontroller System Division, who discuss the advantages of this POSIX-based real-time OS as well as its potential for use in conjunction with microcontrollers.
Making 32-bit V850 microcontrollers compatible with POSIX-based real-time OS a reality!
When it comes to OS used in embedded microcontrollers, OS vendors adopt their own unique specifications, and users have long had to deal with hassles such as matching application software to their OS.
This is why a real-time OS compliant with Portable Operating System Interface for UNIX (POSIX) standards (IEEE 1003.13) has begun to attract a great deal of attention. POSIX refers to specifications defining the standard interface for UNIX, while Linux is an example of a POSIX-based UNIX OS. Since use of this POSIX-based OS makes it possible to utilize UNIX application software already in circulation for a wide range of fields, including mission-critical systems, there are also growing expectations for it to be used as an embedded OS.
The man behind this POSIX-based real-time OS, Shozo Takeoka, president and chief executive officer of AXE, Inc., describes the advantages of this OS saying, "This POSIX-based real-time OS was originally part of the UNIX API (application programming interface, i.e., POSIX), which is a server OS, and the threads (*1) were standardized by IEEE. Using this POSIX-based real-time OS, we were able to solely extract the API for thread management of POSIX specifications (pthread) in order to create a real-time OS. We have also prepared our own UNIX-compatible API library for this POSIX-based OS, which has made it possible to employ UNIX assets, including the Linux OS. And since there are so many engineers capable of handling UNIX programming, system and application software engineers can be easily secured on a global level, thus offering great hope for the improvement of development efficiency."
Broadening the possibilities for V850 applications
Chinatsu Ikeda, team manager of the Multipurpose Microcomputer Systems Division of NEC Electronics, had this to say about the POSIX-based real-time OS:
"Ordinary UNIX OS have a reputation for being "heavy" due to the fact that they require a great deal of CPU power and memory. Kinu, the POSIX-based real-time OS developed by AXE, Inc. for NEC Electronics, is different in that it is an extremely energy-efficient OS capable of realizing high real-time performance using very little CPU power and memory, thus making it the perfect choice for embedded device applications. Even when it comes to the V850ES/JG2 MCU with its 20 MHz operating frequency, 256 KB ROM size and 24 KB RAM size, operation can be carried out using only internal memory. In other words, Kinu makes it possible to use most UNIX application software even with the V850, which is not equipped with a memory management unit (MMU). Moreover, the addition of Kinu will enable domestic users to expand their range of OS choices for use with the V850 beyond µITRON."
NEC Electronics' 32-bit V850 microcontrollers are currently being used in automotive, inverter home electronics, digital AV and other fields, and have enabled NEC Electronics to become the world's number one supplier of 32-bit microcontrollers in 2007 (*2). NEC Electronics already has plans in place to further expand its lineup of high-performance microcontrollers equipped with large-capacity memory, and it is anticipated that a growing number of users will begin to voice their desire to realize various applications. What's more, compatibility of the POSIX-based real-time OS Kinu with V850 microcontrollers will allow users to be able to use a wide range of UNIX application software, including Linux.
Capitalizing on technological capabilities that meet high-end user needs and a wealth of achievements that have already been made in the field of embedded devices, Kinu makes it possible to use both Linux/UNIX API (pthread IEEE1003.13) and AXE network middleware. With plans slated for achieving compatibility with the µITRON interface, it will be possible in the future to use the same OS platform for application development, thereby contributing to the reduction of development costs.
NEC Electronics' 32-bit microcontrollers broaden the possibilities for a myriad of product lines and also for development environments and operating systems. We at NEC Electronics are dedicated to offering 32-bit microcontrollers that meet the individual needs of our customers, including improved performance, extended ranges of functions, inheritance of software assets and reduced development costs.
Notes (*)
- A "thread" is a unit used to describe the computing and execution of processes and tasks.
- 2007, 32-bit MCU, Worldwide Revenue Share; Source: Gartner (March 2008, GJ08452)
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