Real Time Operating Systems: A Visual Simulator
Daniel J. Pack, Steven F. Barrett · 2020
A Real-Time Operating System, or RTOS, is an operating environment where multiple events called tasks compete for precious processor operating time of a single processor.The processor must prioritize tasks depending on system requirements to ensure that all tasks complete their required activities.Due to its complex nature, a RTOS is a difficult subject to teach in undergraduate institutions.Often it is difficult for the students to visualize the intricacies and inter-relationships between component parts of the system To help students to 'see' the operations, we have developed a visual hardware simulator that interfaces to an embedded controller.In our application, we use the popular Motorola HCS12 microprocessor as the simulator's host system.The simulator can be easily interfaced with other processor families.The simulator provides a visual display of the status of up to 16 competing tasks.The simulator also provides a keypad for the user to interject new status and a LCD display to illustrate key RTOS activities.