Internship← Embedded Systems learning pathEmbedded Systems · Module 7 of 10
Real-time operating systems
Run multiple tasks predictably with an RTOS.
📖 Key ideas
- An RTOS schedules tasks with priorities and timing guarantees.
- FreeRTOS and Zephyr are popular.
- Tasks, queues, semaphores and mutexes coordinate work.
- Bare-metal loops suit simple devices; RTOS suits complex ones.
- Watch stack sizes and priority inversion.
💡 Real-life example: An RTOS is a strict timetable for a busy school, ensuring urgent classes always start on time.
RTOSReal-Time Operating System
TaskIndependent thread of execution
QueuePasses data between tasks
Priority inversionLow-priority task blocking high-priority one