Introduction

 
VxWorks is a real-time operating system (RTOS) designed for embedded systems, known for its reliability, performance, and scalability. This guide outlines the general procedure for developing applications with VxWorks 7 using the Wind River Workbench environment.

Prerequisites

  • Software:
    • VxWorks 7 SDK (Software Development Kit)
    • Wind River Workbench 4
    • Access to VxWorks documentation (available within Workbench or online)
  • Hardware:
    • A development host (Windows or Linux supported)
    • Target hardware or a simulator (like QEMU or VxWorks Simulator)
  • Knowledge:
    • Basic understanding of C/C++ programming
    • Familiarity with real-time systems concepts

What is Real-Time Operating System?

A real-time operating system (RTOS) is a type of operating system. An OS is a program that serves as a bridge between the system hardware and the user. Furthermore, it manages all interactions between system software and hardware.

Real-time operating systems are employed in real-time systems when time limitations are fixed and followed strictly. It means that there is extremely little time for processing and responding. Furthermore, the system must perform the given task within a specific time frame, or else the system will fail. It is mainly used in control device apps like industrial control systems, automobile-engine fuel injection systems, medical imaging systems, weapon systems, etc.

The purpose of this document is to provide the information necessary to:

  • Build a Bootable ROM Based VxWorks Image for the Motorola MVME162 VME Single Board Computer
  • 'Program' this Image into the 162's FLASH RAM.

Introduction

The MVME162 contains an onboard-programmable FLASH RAM device that behaves similar to a ROM or EPROM in that it retains its data even with no power, but unlike ROM, can be written to without the need for an external programming device. These features make the FLASH RAM ideal for holding bootable program code such as the VxWorks operating system and associated application code to make a true 'turn-key' system in which the application can be up and running within seconds after power-up or reset.

The appropriate embedded operating system is critical for medical equipment. To ensure patient safety and well-being, these sophisticated devices require software that is dependable, secure, and high-performing. In this post, we look at the importance of embedded operating systems for medical devices, evaluation criteria, and the top ten solutions on the market.

Understanding Embedded Operating Systems

Let's start with an overview of an embedded operating system before we go into specifics. Simply said, it is specialized software created to govern the functions of a specific hardware device. Unlike general-purpose operating systems such as Windows or MacOS, embedded operating systems are designed to satisfy the specific needs of a given device. They are usually lightweight, real-time capable, and very efficient.

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