Which embedded linux for process control?

Hello ,

Try Embedded Debian.

Best Regards, Vivekanandan M

In article , snipped-for-privacy@rediffmail.com writes

Why do you need an RTOS at all?

Honestly, even I am not sure about that. But depending on the samples read, control signals have to be sent out in real time. Dont I need an RTOS for that?

Not necessarily. If you use a homespun OS then you can have much more control over your timing than using someone else's code. It all depends on what else your system has to do really. If all you are doing is taking in samples, examining them and then sending out a control signal then I wouldn't say that you badly need an RTOS.

What do you mean when data has to be sent out real time? Does there have to be data coming out regualrly every n msecs or does the system have to send out data as soon as a set of input conditions occur? The first scenario simply requires a timer interrupt and the second can be done sequentially alongside the data capture.

In article , snipped-for-privacy@rediffmail.com writes

Certainly not.

The Real-Time comes from hardware timers. All you do is talk to the HW directly and write your own small timers and interrupt routines. You probably don't need 90% of the functionality of an RTOS.

OS are more common in 32 bit systems and cut down PC type systems eg PDA's mobile phones etc

They are common on systems where there is more than one application or you want to be able to swap applications but much of the SW will remain the same.

Without an RTOS you have more space in both time and memory. The RTOS will take both. Linux is not a small system.

I am not against using an RTOS. I do use MS-Windows, MAC-OSX and some embedded ones but you should look at the requirements before deciding if you need one or not.

Hi all, Thank you for your responses. Having got so many thoughts from all of you, I think I will get into some action now :P. Will come back if I have any problems!

Thanks and Warm regards, Rintu