Why Microware OS-9?

Microware's OS-9′s compact, high-performance multi-user, multi-tasking real-time kernel is a proven foundation for time-to-revenue success. OS-9 is a full-featured operating system framework, including the OS kernel, kernel services, and industry-standard APIs, middleware, and a complete IDE-based development framework.

Hard Real-Time Performance

Unlike Windows and Linux-based systems, Microware OS-9 was conceived from the ground up to meet the high performance and reliability requirements of time-critical embedded applications.

Resource-Efficient by Design

OS-9 delivers excellent performance in even the most constrained environments. OS-9 and user applications can run completely out of ROM/Flash, leaving RAM dedicated for operating systems or other program use. OS-9 modules are re-entrant. Ten copies of the same 500K program can share the same 500K of program space and only require ten copies of data space (stack, process descriptors, and other system structures associated with the process).

Scalable Modular Architecture

The OS-9′s modular architecture enables dynamic configuration changes and enhancements in order to meet changing system requirements without rebooting. OS-9 applications are written as self-contained modules and are not linked in as a single monolithic code base with the kernel. Virtually any OS-9 component may be added, removed, or updated either at system startup or while the system is running. This means features and new functionality can be added easily, in real-time, and even after deployment to the field.

Reliability, Safety and Security

OS-9 was designed with reliability, safety and security in mind. Unlike monolithic architectures, the OS-9′s advanced modular architecture offers an enhanced level of security, making it a preferred foundation for today’s networked environment.

Multi-Core and Virtualization

Coupled with RTS Hypervisor virtualization technology, the OS-9 foundation offers an unparalleled architectural flexibility. The virtualization platform supports an unlimited number of processors/hyper-threads, making it a future-proof choice for multi-processor architectures. For customers who seek to consolidate their disparate real-time and general-purpose OSs and applications on a single virtualized platform, OS-9 is deployment-ready on the RTS Hypervisor virtualization platform. This results in reduced cost of ownership, the re-use of development tools/applications, optimized system performance and improved system reliability.

Extensive Services and Middleware

The OS-9′s extensive I/O architecture supports a wide range of devices and networking options. The broad range of services, file managers and device drivers available from a single supplier speeds integration and application development, leaving customers with more time to innovate and differentiate their products.

Multimedia Application User Interface

Creating more compelling multimedia user interfaces plays a crucial role in the success of a wide range of products and applications. The OS-9 MAUI, a multimedia suite with MFM file manager, makes it easy to integrate multimedia control of video, audio, keyboard and pointing devices into any application. The result is a better multimedia product, delivered on time and within budget.

Native Development Framework

Designing embedded systems requires more than just an OS. The Microware Hawk development suite comprises of a comprehensive set of software development tools that span the embedded software workflow. The Hawk framework includes a highly optimizing C/C++ compiler, a fully customizable development environment, the award-winning CodeWright programmer’s editor, graphical debugging tools, and middleware libraries and solutions.