Comments on Baremetal or RTOS for the LS1012A processor

[joseph_lindula]

Hello, quick question for the forum members. I have been using ARM+DSP processors from TI. Most of their processors have many high-speed communication links such as SRIO, 10G-Ethernet, and PCIE. In order to get these peripherals to work you must use an RTOS which they provide for free. I would like to know if there is an RTOS that is provided by NXP to get the peripherals working? I am looking at the LS1012A processor.

My co-workers have spent long time developing Baremetal projects and I realize that if I'm going to use these types of devices I'm going to need to use an RTOS. For most of the time when you tell management that you are going to use an RTOS they complain and say no RTOS. Fast forward and the hardware team is over budget and behind in their schedule. It seems like hardware engineers are going to have to get prepared to convince management that in cases like the LS1012A with its high-speed links or in other multi-core processors you must use an RTOS.

Comments

Thank you,

Joe

[alexander_yakov]

LS1012A is a device from Networking Processors product segment. This means the device is expected be used for Networking applications mostly. For our Networking processors offer free Linux SDK, which helps our customers to run Linux on our processors. Linux is widely used, but it is not real-time OS. There are a number of applications, where real-time OS is required - industrial control, robotics, automotive and so on. Running Linux in there type applications is not acceptable due to realtime requirements. Please note - there is a real-time patch for Linux https://wiki.linuxfoundation.org/realtime/start  

In addition so Linux SDK, for LS1012A we offer "Open Industrial Linux" (OpenIL) which is a special Linux for industrial control and embedded applications with "Xemonai" real-time framework:

https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/user-guide/OPEN-LINUX-IND-UM-1-7.pdf

If these above solutions are not acceptable for your application, than I recommend looking third-party OS vendors, for example - most popular VxWorks RTOS from WindRiver. 

Alternatively, I can suggest looking another device, from another product segment, where RTOS is available. For example, for Cortex-M devices we offer MQX:

https://www.nxp.com/design/software/embedded-software/mqx-software-solutions/mqx-real-time-operating...

Also looking through our public web site, I see several other RTOS mentioned - Zephyr OS, FreeRTOS and etc.

[joseph_lindula]

Hello, can you comment on the MQX RTOS? What devices does that target?

Last, can you comment on skipping an OS and writing Baremetal? Sometimes I have a tough time convincing management that they need an OS or an RTOS.

Thanks,

Joe

[alexander_yakov]

For MQX list of supported processors please look this page:

https://www.nxp.com/design/software/embedded-software/mqx-software-solutions/mqx-v5-software-solutio...

Yes, baremetal application is possible. This can be done using our CodeWarrior development software. 

https://www.nxp.com/design/software/development-software/codewarrior-development-tools/codewarrior-n...

[joseph_lindula]

Alexander,

HI, baremetal is possible but would you agree that who in their right might would do baremetal with these multi-core devices? I'm trying to make a case to management that an RTOS is necessary and cheaper than writing all the drivers yourself. 

Respectfully,

Joe

[alexander_yakov]

Yes, implementing real-time multi-tasking in baremetal is time-consuming and, therefore, will significanlty increase "time to market" for new product. Using ready-to-use RTOS is faster and, therefore, more effective. 

[joseph_lindula]

Thank you for sharing that with me. That's the response I was looking for.

Have a great day. 

Joe