LynxOS

:"LynxOS does not refer to the operating system for the Atari Lynx game console."Infobox OS
name = LynxOS RTOS
logo =


caption =
developer = LynuxWorks
source_model = Closed source
kernel_type = Dynamic Extendable
supported_platforms = Motorola 68010, Intel 80386, ARM, PowerPC
ui = Command line interface
family = Unix-like Real-time operating systems
latest_release_version = 4.2
latest_release_date = September 18, 2006
marketing_target = Embedded systems
programmed_in = ?
prog_language = ?
language = ?
updatemodel =
package_manager =
working_state = Current
license = Proprietary
website = [http://www.lynuxworks.com/rtos/ www.lynuxworks.com/rtos]

The LynxOS RTOS is a Unix-like real-time operating system from LynuxWorks (formerly "Lynx Real-Time Systems"). Sometimes known as the Lynx Operating System, LynxOS features full POSIX conformance and, more recently, Linux compatibility. LynxOS is mostly used in real-time embedded systems, in applications for avionics, aerospace, the military, industrial process control and telecommunications.

History

The first versions of LynxOS were written in 1986 in Dallas, Texas, and targeted at custom-built Motorola 68010 processor. In 1988-1989, LynxOS was ported to the Intel 80386 architecture. Around 1989, ABI compatibility with System V.3 was added. Compatibility with other operating systems, including Linux, followed.

Full Memory Management Unit support has been included in the kernel since 1989, for the reliability of protected memory and the performance advantages of virtual addresses. ARM and PowerPC architectures are also supported.

LynxOS components are designed for absolute determinism (hard real-time performance), which means that they respond within a known period of time. Predictable response times are ensured even in the presence of heavy I/O due to the kernel's unique threading model, which enables interrupt routines to be extremely short and fast.

LynuxWorks holds a patent on the technology that LynxOS uses to maintain hard real-time performance. Patent #5,469,571 was granted to LynuxWorks November 21, 1995: "Operating System Architecture using Multiple Priority Light Weight kernel Task-based Interrupt Handling."

Memory Management Unit (MMU) support resides at the lowest level of the LynxOS kernel. Full MMU support, included in the kernel since 1989, provides the reliability advantages of protected memory and the performance advantages of virtual addresses.

In 2003, LynuxWorks introduced a specialized version of LynxOS called LynxOS-178, especially for use in avionics applications that require certification to industry standards such as DO-178B.

The Usenet newsgroup comp.os.lynx is devoted to discussion of LynxOS.

External links

* [http://www.lynuxworks.com/rtos/ LynuxWorks real-time operating systems (RTOS)]
* [http://www.lynuxworks.com/products/whitepapers/patentedio.php3 Patent #5,469,571: LynuxWorks' "Operating System Architecture using Multiple Priority Light Weight kernel Task-based Interrupt Handling."]
* [http://www.lynuxworks.com/products/whitepapers/mmu.php3 Whitepaper: Using the Microprocessor MMU for Software Protection in Real-Time Systems]
* [http://www.lynuxworks.com/embedded-os.php3 Applications using LynxOS and other LynuxWorks operating systems]