Choosing the Right Embedded OS for Your Embedded Solution

Real-Time Operating Systems or Embedded Linux

- By Pedro Bertoleti

At the heart of every well developed embedded solution, a well tested, validated, and consolidated embedded operating system offers scalability, security, and good overall software quality. In this article, Pedro helps you determine which type of embedded OS—real time or general purpose (embedded Linux)—is the best for various solutions, based on how their respective features, differences, and use cases align with needs.

Embedded systems play a pivotal role in modern technology, forming the backbone of countless devices and applications. Devices ranging from common wearable fitness trackers to complex industrial automation controllers contain embedded systems that require robust and well developed embedded software to function seamlessly.

To offer scalability, security, and good overall software quality, at the heart of a well developed embedded software is a well tested, validated, and consolidated embedded operating system (OS), which manages hardware resources, executes tasks, and ensures system reliability.

Selecting the right embedded OS for a given solution is one of the most critical decisions to be made, since it directly affects the solution’s performance, scalability, and long-term maintainability. This article aims to help you make an informed decision, by delving into the core aspects of embedded operating systems, and guiding you through their features, differences, and use cases.

OVERVIEW OF AN EMBEDDED OPERATING SYSTEM