Embedded Configurable Real-Time Operating System eCos Software Development

Author: Anthony J. Massa
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: This book is written by Mr. Anthony J. Massa, and its English version has received good reviews since its publication. The translator happened to obtain this book by chance and found it very well-written, which inspired the idea of translating it into Chinese. Coincidentally, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Press acquired the copyright of the book and thus collaborated with the publisher, making this wish come true. With the continuous improvement of computer application levels in China, especially in embedded applications, Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) have gained increasing attention and broader application. This is because RTOS simplifies the design of application system software and ensures system real-time performance (responsiveness). In demanding application environments (such as rapid-response industrial applications and aerospace applications), RTOS has been widely used with excellent results. For example, NASA in the United States has been using RTOS in spacecraft since the late 1980s, from the earliest "Mars Pathfinder" to the "Spirit" rover, all of which adopted RTOS (VxWorks), and the success of this approach has been proven. Notably, the latter even formatted the memory. The translator has always believed that to apply RTOS effectively, one must study it in-depth and thoroughly, otherwise, it cannot be said that RTOS is being applied at a high level. This applies to both commercial RTOS with closed-source code and open-source RTOS. To study RTOS, it is best to start with open-source RTOS, as the principles for RTOS with basic functions are not significantly different. eCos (Embedded Configurable Operating System) is an open-source operating system that supports a wide range of features, including various common hardware features currently in use, such as PCI bus, USB bus, IPv4, IPv6, various file systems, and GUI interfaces. These features are very helpful for those aspiring to engage in "production, education, and research" in computer embedded applications, something that other open-source RTOS lack. Most open-source RTOS only provide the kernel, and a lot of additional work is required for practical engineering applications, such as file systems, GUI interfaces, and network protocol stacks, which need to be solved independently. eCos has strong extensibility, which is closely related to its architecture. As you read the later chapters of this book, you will understand that eCos expands its functionality using components, so any component code that complies with the eCos component specification can extend eCos in some way. Regularly visiting eCos-related websites will reveal many useful third-party components. These components are the fruits of the hard work of eCos enthusiasts or application developers, and from another perspective, they also demonstrate the extensibility of eCos and the community's participation in it. A particularly important point is that eCos's code can be trimmed as needed. This can significantly reduce unnecessary code without compromising performance, which is very important for embedded applications. In this regard, eCos undoubtedly stands out. With the configuration tool, most of the code, including the eCos kernel code, can be trimmed to remove irrelevant code and reduce code size. This is something that even commercial RTOS find difficult to achieve. eCos offers very comprehensive functionality, and almost all the features provided by commercial RTOS are also available in eCos. Therefore, it can be said that eCos can handle any task that a commercial RTOS can. There is no need to question eCos's performance, as the reputation of numerous users worldwide has proven this. Moreover, eCos's correct operation under various demanding environments and conditions further demonstrates its exceptional quality. Additionally, eCos's development is very dynamic, and as the owner of eCos, Red Hat, is a company with undeniable strength, and there are so many enthusiasts worldwide continuously developing eCos. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that eCos will only get better! The translator believes that this book will be of great reference value to those who are passionate about embedded application research or are currently studying RTOS. During the translation process, the translator received strong support from Teacher Hu Xiaobai of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Press. The publication of this book is inseparable from his efforts, and he expresses his gratitude here. The preface, introduction, chapters 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and all appendices were translated by Yan Ruolin, chapters 3, 6, and 7 were translated by You Weiwei, and chapters 1, 2, and 13 were translated by Sun Xiaoming and Lin Qiaomin from the Institute of Software, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Due to the tight schedule, errors are inevitable, and it is hoped that they do not lead to misunderstandings in meaning. Suggestions and corrections are welcome. Translator, March 2006
This book provides a detailed introduction to the world of eCos, the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL), virtual vectors, threads and synchronization mechanisms, and other eCos architecture components.