[Updated Dec. 13] — An Austrian single-board computer and real-time OS vendor has created a single-kernel, real-time Linux implementation for a small ARM9-based CPU module. Contec says its Micro-9 CPU module can now deliver real-time performance without requiring dual kernels or requiring programmers to use… non-standard APIs.

(Click for larger view of Contec Micro-9 CPU module)

According to technical marketing manager Ashley Robert Calpin, the Contec real-time Linux implementation is based on a 2.6.14-rc5-rt7 Linux kernel. It is built with pre-emptive patches, NPTL (native POSIX thread library) for ARM-CPUs, generic interrupt handling for ARM-CPUs, high-resolution timers, and fast user-space mutexes.

Calpin said, “By converting Interrupt Service Routines (ISR) in prioritized threads, and consequently minimizing the 'non pre-emptive' areas of the Linux kernel, the implementation of a double kernel as well as a separate program interface (API) is no longer necessary.”

Calpin adds, “Our real-time Linux adaptation was developed with the aid and support of the community, with [which] our Engineers cooperate continually.”

By “double kernel,” Calpin is referring to alternatives such as RTLinux and RTAI.

Calpin adds that existing real-time and other applications can be easily ported to the environment, thanks to POSIX compatibility, with “minimal modifications into the real-time context.”

Contec says it has developed a test environment aimed at thoroughly exercising the functionality of its real-time Linux implementation. The test environment can measure interrupt latency and “periodical tasks” latency, as well as “runtime evaluation of signals.”

The Micro-9 CPU module

Carrier board for Micro-9 (Click to enlarge)

The Contec real-time Linux implementation currently supports the company's “Micro-9” board, a creditcard-sized CPU module based on a 200MHz ARM9 processor with an integrated graphics coprocessor. The Micro-9 measures 2.1 x 3.3 inches (54 x 85mm), yet provides a full range of PC connectivity. Features include:

• CPU
  • 200MHz ARM9 processor
  • Integral graphics coprocessor
• Memory
  • 32MB RAM (64/128 optionally avail.)
  • 1MB battery-backed SRAM
    
  • 32MB NOR Flash (64MB optionally avail.)
  • 4KB of EEPROM
• Display
  • 1280 x 1024 LCD/TFT
  • 4-, 5-, 7-, or 8-wire touchscreen
• I/O
  • 1 x 10/100 Ethernet
  • Three USB 2.0 host ports
  • Three serial interfaces
  • AC 97 Audio codec
  • 8- and 16-bit PCMCIA interface
  • CAN bus controller
  • SPI (serial packet interface) controller
  • Two high-density debugging ports
  • 2-channel (master/slave) EIDE/CF ports
  • JTAG debugging/programming port
• Other
  • Watchdog with 1.6 second timeout
  • Battery-backed RTC (real-time clock) with alarm interrupt
  • Power failure detection
• Operating systems
  • Linux
  • Real-time Linux
  • Windows CE

Availability

The Micro-9 CPU module is available now with real-time Linux. Additionally, Contec says it will demonstrate its real-time Linux adaptation running on a variety of modules at Embedded World 2006, set for Nuremberg, Germany, on Feb. 14-16.

Note: This story originally described Contec's implementation as “proprietary” due to a Contec marketing department error in translating a German word meaning “in-house,” according to Contec. The story was corrected on Dec. 13.

 
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