For the purposes of this paper, a brief description of operating systems and their basic functions help to better understand the role of real-time operating systems and how the two differ as well as work in conjunction. The primary function of an operating system is to manage software and hardware applications, the processor, drives, memory and other components. Operating systems also help to keep hardware applications functioning consistently and allow each to access the CPU without disrupting or jeopardizing the applications or the user. Operating systems are also imperative in that they provide a consistent interface when multiple computers or applications are utilizing the given operating system. This also helps those who write applications so that they can be confident that applications can be applied and operate on different systems.

Real-time operating systems share many qualities similar to operating systems in that they manage hardware applications and provide a means for them to access the hardware system. But the primary role of the real-time operating system is to consistently accept and complete tasks by applications. Although real-time operating systems use algorithms in order to better or efficiently process application tasks and priorities, it mainly functions to serve a specific set of applications at a time. The algorithms are comprised of various forms of scheduling.

In real-time operating systems, most are designed to manage and organize tasks through scheduling. CPU’s usually run a certain task at a time, while others remain waiting or blocked which creates a larger queue to have a greater amount of tasks waiting for execution. The main stages of a task are running, ready and blocked. Tasks are executed based on a priority basis and depending on scheduler design. This is when the critical response time is measured for the queue to ready a task and prepare it for high priority execution.

Development History- LynxOS real-time operating system was designed by LynuxWorks and is commonly used in telecommunications, aeronautics, industrial processes and military application. LynxOS are designed with components to execute tasks and respond within a known period of time, sometimes referred to as hard real-time performance. The use of specialized kernels by LynxOS allows for very fast and quick response and interpretation.

Since memory allocation must occur within a given period of time in a real-time operating system, memory management is essential. In the most basic sense, memory management is managing the memory of a computer. The distribution of memory to programs and applications per request then release for reuse later is how operating systems manage memory. One of the most effective and efficient ways to aid in memory management is the implementation of virtual memory that takes processes’ memory addresses away from actual physical addresses. This separation of processes increases the overall available amount of RAM in the computer. Virtual memory quality is crucial for overall system functioning and performance.

Another key component of any operating system is process management. The real-time operating system must distribute resources for processes, exchange or share information between them and maintain a form of data structure for each. Managing kernel threads and priority processing is the integral part of the LynxOS real-time operating systems. The LynxOS RTOS takes multi thread and multi process applications to respond reliably, fast and in a timely manner.

LynxOS utilizes the UNIX concept of processes, while scheduling with POSIX threads of execution. LynxOS handles scheduling and process challenges through kernel threads and threaded priority tracking. One key distinction with LynxOS is that it permits POSIX threads of execution within the kernel so that drivers can use for interrupt handling. LynxOS considers these threads normal user threads, with software priorities, not interrupt priorities.

Real-time operating systems are essential for the proper functioning of an operating system and also allow the interface to manage applications, efficiently accepting and completing an application’s task. This is especially important in that, real-time operating systems must execute application processes in a specific period of time. The faster and more effectively a CPU can manage that, the more efficient and reliable the machine will be. The unique way that LynxOS uses priority tracking and kernel threads makes process control much more refined and consistent for developers. Thus, any other activities occurring within the system will not interrupt the execution of assigned priorities.