Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
Perl bindings simplify real-time Linux API
Mar. 23, 2000

HERNDON Virginia -- (company press release) -- Zentropix (a subsidiary of Lineo, Inc.) today announced availability of a set of Perl bindings that allow programmers to use the RTAI real-time programming API from a scripting environment. This allows simple access to a Linux based soft real-time programming environment.

The bindings extend the LXRT technique in the Real Time Application Interface (RTAI) developed at Dipartimento di Ingegneria Aerospaziale Politecnico di Milano (DIAPM) to a scripting environment. "One of the hardest things when starting real-time programming is getting used to the API," said Stuart Hughes, director of research at Zentropix. "Making the API available from a scripting environment makes it easier for people to start using RealTime Linux."

RTAI facilitates hard real-time programming on a Linux system by using its API within a user-written kernel module. RTAI continued its successful development track by the introduction last year of LXRT. LXRT provides soft real-time support for Linux using a new paradigm. In the next few weeks a further release of RTAI will extend LXRT to add a hard real-time mode in user space.

Rather than try to alter the Linux scheduler, LXRT takes a new approach whereby a buddy (proxy) hard real-time process carries out the scheduling duties of the user space process. As the user process is still subject to being blocked by Linux kernel activity, this is considered a soft real-time solution. Despite this, on a machine of average loading it still affords a low latency, high resolution, real-time solution. LXRT is found in two formats on the distribution, the original version from DIAPM, and the more sophisticated 'informed' version which was enhanced by Pierre Cloutier of Poseidon Controls Inc.

Steve Papacharalambous of Zentropix said "the principle virtue of this technique is that students and newcomers can get used to the hard real-time API from the relative safety of user space. Once the code has been proven, it can be migrated to the hard real-time domain with relative ease".

Licensing

RTAI, LXRT, and the LXRT Perl bindings are all released under the terms of the GNU LGPL.

Distribution information

Zentropix distributes a RealTime Linux installation CD that comes with a pre-patched Linux+RTAI+debug kernel and debugging tool. Please go to www.zentropix.com and follow the links to products for information on obtaining a CD-ROM as well as the new LXRT Perl bindings for RTAI-0.9a.

Other technical information about RTAI, and downloads may be found at the DIAPM (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Aerospaziale Politecnico di Milano) site, www.rtai.org.

About Zentropix (www.zentropix.com)

Born from the military simulation industry, where real-time computing is critical, Zentropix was founded in August 1997, and has offices in the US and UK. By providing validated distribution of RealTime Linux combined with support, custom engineering, and training, Zentropix meets the needs of software developers and corporations, who are now developing embedded and real-time applications. In February 2000, Zentropix was acquired by Lineo, Inc., an embedded Linux system software developer in Lindon, Utah.

About Lineo, Inc. (www.lineo.com)

Lineo, Inc., a leading developer of embedded Linux system software, develops, markets and sells embedded Linux system software and applications that provide OEMs and consumers with simple, low-cost software for interacting with the Internet via embedded devices. Lineo owns the Embedix product family, including Embedix Linux, Embedix SDK and Embedix Browser.

Related stories


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

Mobile phones!

MIDs, UMPCs
& tablets

Mobile devices

Other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• Microsoft to bake own phone?
• Tux cashes in on paint
• Linux ported to iPhone
• Blockbuster box runs Linux
• Palm Pilot VM for Linux updated
• Linux-focused smartphone vendor announces cuts
• GCC for kernel hackers
• Linux powers free-to-air (FTA) satellite box
• Linux services firm hires MontaVista exec
• Robotic arm runs Linux
• Closed Linux driver problems described
• Linux hops on STD bus
• Wyse beefs up thin clients
• DRM client ported to mobile Linux distro
• iPhones to xhost Linux apps


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Tinest Linux system, yet?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Open set-top box ships
• First $100 laptop runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• Tutorial reveals desktop Linux security tips
• Fedora 10 first impressions
• 8,000 TuxTop models and counting
• "Moonlight" ready to shine
• Adobe unleashes 64-bit Flash
• Debian Lenny installer arrives
• Ubuntu announces ARM port
• Amazon offers Linux XOs
• Windows 7 "no threat" to netbook Linux
• Creative frees Sound Blaster driver code


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.