Improved real-time operating system for industrial PCs

The new version v3.40, offers greater system availability and is more suitable for industrial use with improved user-friendliness and servicing. In addition, there is new graphics functionality, RMOS3-GraphX v1.0, for Microsoft Windows-based real-time visualisation systems and multitasking environments. With the help of the development tools GNU, Eclipse and QT Designer, the user can easily create real-time applications for RMOS3.

Siemens uses the real-time operating system RMOS3 for its industrial PC suite, Sicomp industrial microcomputers and Simatic PCs. RMOS3 is suitable for measuring as well as open- and closed-loop control tasks with reaction times in the low microsecond range. Its main areas of application include embedded automation systems as well as standard and special-purpose mechanical engineering.

Improved security

User applications generated by the development tools from RMOS3 GNU, can now have improved security with the new memory protection functionality. Using password access with privilege level mechanisms, the applications now start on unique execution levels, with memory access managed through the operating system. Operating system code, data and stacks are therefore protected from unauthorised access through user programs. This feature guarantees safe and secure running of the operating system. Paging mechanisms offer additional protection for the coded areas of the applications, as the new stack monitoring mechanism detects when the valid stack area has been left without authorisation – thus avoiding time-consuming troubleshooting.

The expanded driver for hard disk operation in Ultra-Direct Memory Access (UDMA) mode makes the system more suitable for industrial use and provides faster data access. Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (APIC) mode is now also supported for ultra-short reaction times of PCI/CPCI modules in interrupt mode. For users and service personnel, the expanded configurable RMOS3 nucleus offers shorter commissioning times for Simatic PC and Sicomp IMC. Further improvements include 64 kilobit data types with formatted input/output, a time-stamp function with nanosecond accuracy as well as expanded programs for evaluating and controlling operating system resources, such as memory allocation and integrity, system utilisation or system console bypassing.

Graphics

With the new graphics kit RMOS3-GraphX v1.0, users employ C++ to create windows-based graphic user interfaces for comfortable operation and monitoring of real-time automation systems. The familiar operating and display elements from Microsoft Windows and Linux can be used, such as buttons, toolbars, scroll bars, selection lists, icons and freely resizable and movable windows. The graphics kits for RMOS3 uses the QT Designer by Trolltech with the same Application Programming Interface (API) used for Windows, Unix or Linux applications. Graphical interfaces are made even easier with the RMOS3-GraphX C++ project type plug-in for Eclipse with extensive function libraries from prefabricated operating and display elements, text browsers, tables and menus. The screen resolution and depth of colour are easily configurable. The system is operated via the USB mouse and keyboard.

Further information is available at www.siemens.com/rmos3.