RTEMS

Last updated
RTEMS
RTEMS logo.svg
Developer OAR Corporation
Written in Ada, C
OS family Real-time operating system
Working stateCurrent
Source model Open source
Initial release1993;31 years ago (1993)
Latest release 5.3 / February 10, 2023;14 months ago (2023-02-10) [1]
Repository git.rtems.org
Marketing target Embedded systems
Available in English
Platforms ARM, Blackfin, ColdFire, TI C3x/C4x, H8/300, x86, 68k, LatticeMico32, MIPS (Mongoose-V), Nios II, OpenRISC, PowerPC, SuperH, SPARC (ERC32, LEON)
Kernel type Real-time
Default
user interface
Command-line
License Modified GPL
Official website www.rtems.org

Real-Time Executive for Multiprocessor Systems (RTEMS), formerly Real-Time Executive for Missile Systems, and then Real-Time Executive for Military Systems, is a real-time operating system (RTOS) designed for embedded systems. It is free and open-source software.

Contents

Development began in the late 1980s with early versions available via File Transfer Protocol (ftp) as early as 1993. OAR Corporation is currently managing the RTEMS project in cooperation with a steering committee which includes user representatives.

Design

RTEMS is designed for real-time, embedded systems and to support various open application programming interface (API) standards including Portable Operating System Interface (POSIX) and µITRON. The API now known as the Classic RTEMS API was originally based on the Real-Time Executive Interface Definition (RTEID) specification. RTEMS includes a port of the FreeBSD Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP stack) and support for various file systems including Network File System (NFS) and File Allocation Table (FAT).

RTEMS provides extensive multi-processing and memory-management services, and even a System-database alongside many other facilities. It has extensive documentation.

Architectures

RTEMS has been ported to various target processor architectures:

Uses

RTEMS is used in many application domains. The Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) community includes multiple people who are active RTEMS submitters. RTEMS is also popular for space uses since it supports multiple microprocessors developed for use in space including SPARC ERC32 and LEON, MIPS Mongoose-V, ColdFire, and PowerPC architectures, which are available in space hardened models. RTEMS is currently orbiting Mars as part of the Electra software radio on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, [2] and the ESA's Trace Gas Orbiter. [3]

License

RTEMS is distributed under the two paragraph BSD license. This is a permissive license.

RTEMS was originally distributed under a modified GNU General Public License (GPL), allowing linking RTEMS objects with other files without needing the full executable to be covered by the GPL. This license is based on the GNAT Modified General Public License with the language modified to not be specific to the programming language Ada.

See also

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References

  1. "RTEMS 5.3 Released". 2023-02-10. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  2. "Real Time Mars Approach Navigation aided by the Mars Network" (PDF). NASA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-09-30. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
  3. "NASA radio on Europe's new Mars Orbiter aces relay test" . Retrieved 2016-12-01.