FreeRTOS

FreeRTOS is a real-time operating system for embedded devices, being ported to several microcontrollers. It is distributed under a modified version of the GPL. The modification permits the users proprietary code to remain closed source, while maintaining the kernel itself as open source - facilitating the use of FreeRTOS in commercial applications.

FreeRTOS can be downloaded for free, without having to fill out a form or provide any information.

Supported architectures include:

• ARM Cortex-M3
• ARM architecture ARM7
• AVR
• x86
• PIC microcontroller PIC18
• Renesas H8/S
• MSP430
• HCS12
• 8052
• MicroBlaze

The download contains pre-prepared configurations and demonstrations for every port, allowing rapid application design.

The FreeRTOS scheduler is designed to be small and simple. It can be configured for both preemptive or cooperative operation.

To make the code readable, easy to port, and maintainable, it is mostly written in C. There are however, a few assembler functions included where necessary.

From Version 4, FreeRTOS allows an application to use coroutines, as well as tasks. In FreeRTOS, a Coroutine is similar to a task, except it uses less memory and is more restricted in how it can be used.

The FreeRTOS.org site also contains RTOS tutorials, details of the RTOS design and performance comparison results for various microcontrollers.

FreeRTOS was the first real time kernel to be available for real (production) CORTEX-M3 based microcontrollers.

See also

• Embedded operating system
• Real-time operating system

External links

• FreeRTOS.org