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TenAsys Case Study
TenAsys INtime* RTOS and Intel® Dual-Core Processors Help Lower System Costs for Embedded Real Time Applications
Background
Embedded developers that want to use the Windows* operating system in their solutions usually need to include a real-time operating system (RTOS) to run the deterministic algorithms essential to virtually all embedded applications. To do this, developers typically add a second processing platform - one for Windows, the other for the RTOS. Some may use an entirely separate processing system, while others add a second board or processor to their existing system. Either way, the two-platform approach provides a dedicated computer for the RTOS, ensuring that closed-loop control systems run with a high degree of precision.
 
 
Details
 
Problem
No matter how it is engineered, the use of two distinct hardware platforms is a complex and costly proposition. Two platforms take more time to develop, can be more difficult to integrate, and consume more power, more space, and more resources.
Solution Part One
New dual-core Intel® Core™ Duo processors provide the compute capacity of two equivalent-speed, single-core processing platforms, but use a single hardware footprint and consume less power. With only one platform on which to develop software, the dual-core processor shortens the design cycle for embedded solutions, thereby helping to lower costs and speeding time to market.
Solution Part Two
Developers can further improve performance and speed time to market by adopting the TenAsys INtime* RTOS as part of their real-time embedded solutions. Designed and optimized specifically for Intel® Architecture and Microsoft* Windows* software, the INtime RTOS uses virtual machine technology to facilitate close communication between the two execution cores for virtually jitter-free performance. The TenAsys INtime RTOS is validated and optimized for the Intel Core Duo processor, using software to dedicate one core to the real-time features of a Windows-based, embedded design.