From a2fa66c3b6c9faeb0190da7c0cab118fbfecc4e9 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Joel Sherrill Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 22:23:03 +0000 Subject: Updated to include first set of questions. --- doc/FAQ/Makefile | 2 +- doc/FAQ/basic.t | 123 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 124 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) (limited to 'doc') diff --git a/doc/FAQ/Makefile b/doc/FAQ/Makefile index 94b2bd9302..dee4fcf27e 100644 --- a/doc/FAQ/Makefile +++ b/doc/FAQ/Makefile @@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ clean: # basic.texi: basic.t Makefile - $(BMENU) -p "Top" \ + $(BMENU) -c -p "Top" \ -u "Top" \ -n "" ${*}.t diff --git a/doc/FAQ/basic.t b/doc/FAQ/basic.t index 2e4cbdd621..d5d25e6a03 100644 --- a/doc/FAQ/basic.t +++ b/doc/FAQ/basic.t @@ -11,5 +11,128 @@ The questions in this category are basic questions about RTEMS. Where did it come from, why is it, what is it, when should you use it, etc.? +@section What does RTEMS stand for? + +RTEMS is an anacronym for the Real-Time Executive for Multiprocessor +Systems. + +Initially RTEMS stood for the Real-Time Executive for Missile Systems +but as it became clear that the application domains that could use +RTEMS extended far beyond missiles, the "M" changed to mean Military. +At one point, there were both Ada and C implementations of RTEMS. The +C version changed the "M" to mean Multiprocessor while the Ada version +remained with the "M" meaning Military. + +@section What is RTEMS? + +RTEMS is a real-time executive which provides a high performance +environment for embedded military applications including the +following features: + +@itemize @bullet +@item multitasking capabilities +@item homogeneous and heterogeneous multiprocessor systems +@item event-driven, priority-based, preemptive scheduling +@item optional rate monotonic scheduling +@item intertask communication and synchronization +@item priority inheritance +@item responsive interrupt management +@item dynamic memory allocation +@item high level of user configurability +@end itemize + +XXX This feature list is weak these days. :) + +@section What standards does RTEMS support? + +The original "Classic" RTEMS API is based on the Real-Time Executive +Interface Definition (RTEID) and the Open Real-Time Kernel Interface +Definition (ORKID). RTEMS also includes support for POSIX threads +and real-time extensions. + +With the addition of file system infrastructure, RTEMS supports +about 70% of the POSIX 1003.1b-1996 standard. This standard +defines the programming interfaces of standard UNIX. This means +that much source code that works on UNIX, also works on RTEMS. + +@section What processors is RTEMS available for? + +RTEMS is available for the following processor families: + +@itemize @bullet +@item Motorola MC68xxx +@item Motorola MC683xx +@item Motorola ColdFire +@item Hitachi SH +@item Intel i386 +@item Intel i960 +@item MIPS +@item PowerPC +@item SPARC +@item AMD A29K +@item Hewlett-Packard PA-RISC +@end itemize + +In addition, there is a port to UNIX which can be used as a prototyping +and simulation environment. + +@section Executive vs. Kernel vs. Operating System (RTOS) + +The developers of RTEMS developers use the terms executive and kernel +interchangeably. In the embedded system community, the terms executive +or kernel are generally used to refer to small operating systems. +So we consider it proper to refer to RTEMS as an executive, a kernel, +or an operating system. + +@section Where/why was it developed? + +RTEMS was developed by On-Line Applications Research Corporation (OAR) +for the U.S. Army Missile Command. The original goal of RTEMS was +to provide a portable, standards-based real-time executive for which +source code was available and royalties were paid. + +In other words, RTEMS was open source before open source was cool. + +@section Are there no similar commercial products? + +Yes, but not all are based on standards and the open source philosophy. + +@section How can I get RTEMS? + +RTEMS is distributed by OAR Corporation via the Internet. Point your +favorite browser at the following URL and following the link: + +@set OAR-URL http://www.OARcorp.com +@ifset use-html +@href{@value{OAR-URL},,@value{OAR-URL}} +@end ifset +@ifclear use-html +@value{OAR-URL} +@end ifclear + +@section What about support? + +OAR Corporation provides numerous services for RTEMS including support, +training, and custom development. + +@section Are there any mailing lists? + +The primary RTEMS mailing list is @code{rtems-list@@oarcorp.com}. You +can subscribe by sending a message with the word @b{subscribe} as the +body to @code{rtems-list-request@@oarcorp.com}. + +@section Are there any license restrictions? + +RTEMS is licensed under a modified version of the GNU General Public License +(GPL). The modification places no restrictions on the applications which +use RTEMS but protects the interests of those who work on RTEMS. + +The TCP/IP network stack included with RTEMS is a port of the FreeBSD +network stack and is licensed under different terms that also do not +place restrictions on the application. + +@section Are there any export restrictions? + +No. -- cgit v1.2.3