Published Jun 29, 2021 | Updated Sep 9, 2021 Show
Risto Avila, Technology Director @ The Qt Company. Risto is specialized in embedded software development and system integration. Choosing the right embedded operating system (OS) is vital to building an embedded device. I have years of experience working with operating systems. I share my tips and those of my colleague Santtu Ahonen and other experts on choosing the right OS for your project. In this article:
What is an embedded operating system?An embedded operating system is a specialized OS for an embedded device or system. The operating system aims to perform with certainty specific task(s) regularly that help the device operate. How the OS fits into an embedded systemHow an embedded operating system worksAn embedded operating system often has limited features and functions. The OS may perform only a single action that allows the device to work, but it must execute that action consistently and on time every time. Embedded operating systems are built into Internet of Things (IoT) devices. They are also part of many other devices and systems. “Embedded operating systems are usually lean and mean," says Santtu Ahonen, Senior Product Manager, Portfolio Management, for Qt. "In most cases, embedded hardware doesn't have much capacity and has fewer resources. So, the amount of processing power and memory is very limited." An embedded operating system has advantages and disadvantages. Embedded operating system advantages:
Embedded operating system disadvantages:
Examples of embedded operating systemsThere are dozens of embedded operating systems. Some are broad systems that work for a range of devices. Many embedded OSs are more popular for certain devices and industries. Your hardware design and selections will greatly impact on the OS selection. Two ways to categorize embedded operating systems are: whether they run on microprocessors or microcontrollers; and whether engineers use them, especially for specific industries or devices. Embedded operating systems can also accommodate a variety of software development languages, including Embedded C. Embedded operating systems: running on microprocessors vs. microcontrollersEmbedded OSs on microprocessors:
Embedded OSs on microcontrollers:
Embedded operating systems: most often used in certain industries or devices
Embedded vs. non-embedded operating systemsEngineers build an embedded operating system on a device. The OS performs a simple task that’s not controlled in any way by outside users. A non-embedded operating system, like on a desktop computer, runs various applications directed by users. Operating systems for general use vs. embedded systemsNon-embedded operating systems are what you find in a computer. These OSs allow the computer system to run software and applications and perform a range of tasks. Embedded operating systems perform minimal tasks—some instantaneously—that enable the embedded device to work. Embedded operating systems vs. network operating systemsNetwork operating systems allow a group of computers to share needed resources. That means computers on a network operating system can share files, databases, printers, and other resources. Unlike embedded operating systems, users of networking OS have control over various tasks, which is similar to general operating systems. Differences between a standard operating system and a real-time OSA standard OS does not automatically assign priority to tasks. The system orders the tasks to complete the most in a reasonable time. Real-time operating systems (RTOS) guarantees it will finish a task in a defined period. Some embedded operating systems are real-time operating systems. They process data as soon as it is inputted into the system, which helps the embedded OS complete its focused task consistently. "A normal operating system has a system tick timer that goes off every few milliseconds. It looks around at the various queued up processes and threads and picks one according to some priority, and finds one that is ready to run," explains Brent Horine, Ph.D., a Senior Embedded Software Developer with Hypergiant, an AI solutions companythat provides an AI services integration platform for Cloud, 5G and Edge. "The normal OS tends to schedule tasks in a round-robin type of approach where everyone gets a turn at a specific priority level. But a real-time operating system is much more concerned with deadlines. Its scheduling system is front and center in the operating system." There are three kinds of RTOS: hard, firm, and soft
Selecting the right operating system for your next embedded systemThere are many factors to consider when picking an operating system for an embedded device. Will you need a standard or real-time operating system? Are there limits on the device's power and computer memory? Important things to evaluate when picking an OS for an embedded system:
Comparison of top embedded operating systemsQt has prepared an Embedded Product Planning and Requirements Guide to help engineers understand how to approach building an embedded device. Inside, you’ll find a detailed comparison of some of the top embedded operating systems.
Download Embedded OS Matrix What is the most widely used embedded operating system?The most widely used embedded operating system is embedded Linux. Yotco is the most popular of the embedded Linux systems. Other popular embedded operating systems include Android, FreeRTOS, QNX, and VxWorks. The importance of picking the right OSPicking the best embedded operating system is essential to the success of an embedded device. The operating system determines which software your system can use and plays a role in how easy or challenging it will be to build the rest of the system. To learn more about the important steps in building an embedded device, read our post on building a successful embedded product. How Qt can help you develop scalable, cross-platform softwareWith Qt's libraries and tools, you can build software for any embedded hardware or operating system more straightforward and efficient. In addition, you can test and fine-tune your high-performance 3D/2D user interfaces live on your target hardware and reuse assets across different projects. Because software built with Qt works across platforms and is scalable MPUs down to MCUs, and even bare metal. Learn more about Qt, including required programming skills, how companies and industries use Qt for their devices, and essential updates in Qt6. What is the name of embedded operating system in IoT?IoT Operating System: #9: OpenWrt. Which is embedded operating system?An embedded operating system is a specialized operating system (OS) designed to perform a specific task for a device that is not a computer. The main job of an embedded OS is to run the code that allows the device to do its job.
What is embedded OS Name any two?Everyday examples of embedded operating systems include ATMs and Satellite Navigation systems. There is a big difference between a standard and an embedded operating system. A standard operating system creates an environment where a user and the computer may interact with one another to perform a huge variety of tasks.
What are the three embedded operating system?Embedded Linux: It is used in Android phones and other devices like printers. IOS: It is used in MAC operating systems and other Apple devices. Windows Mobile Operating System: It is used in window phones.
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