LinuxDevices.com: Whitepaper: KURT -- a Real-Time Linux | Linux Today

LinuxDevices.com: Whitepaper: KURT — a Real-Time Linux

Written By
Web Webster
Web Webster
Mar 25, 2000

[ Thanks to LinuxDevices.com for this link.
]

KURT (KU Real-Time Linux) is a real-time modification to
the Linux operating system that allows scheduling of real-time
events at the resolution of 10’s of microseconds. Rather than
relying on priority based scheduling or strictly periodic
schedules, KURT schedules are explicitly specified by the
application programmer.
KURT can function in two modes:
focussed mode, where only real-time processes are allowed to run;
and mixed mode, where the execution of real-time processes still
takes precedence, but all non-real-time processes are allowed to
run within the “gaps” of the real-time schedule. KURT works on any
x86 compatible platform with a time-stamp counter (Pentium
processors or their equivalent)….”

“KURT Linux allows for explicit scheduling of any real-time
events rather than just processes. This provides a more generic
framework onto which normal real-time process scheduling is mapped.
Since event scheduling is handled by the system, addition of new
events such as periodic sampling data acquisition cards (video, lab
equipment, etc.) is highly simplified.”

“KURT introduces two modes of operation – the normal mode and
the real-time mode. In normal mode, the system acts as a generic
Linux system. When the kernel is running in real-time mode, it only
executes real-time processes. While in real-time mode, the system
can no longer be used as a generic workstation, as all of its
resources are dedicated to executing its real-time responsibilities
as accurately as possible.”


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Web Webster

Web Webster

Web Webster has more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience in the tech sector. He’s written and edited news, demand generation, user-focused, and thought leadership content for business software solutions, consumer tech, and Linux Today, he edits and writes for a portfolio of tech industry news and analysis websites including webopedia.com, and DatabaseJournal.com.

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