FreeRTOS, short for Free Real-Time Operating System, is an open-source, real-time operating system kernel designed for embedded systems. Developed by Real Time Engineers Ltd., FreeRTOS is known for its simplicity and flexibility, making it a popular choice for a wide range of microcontroller-based applications.
Key features and characteristics of FreeRTOS include:
Real-Time Capabilities: FreeRTOS is specifically designed for real-time systems, providing predictable and deterministic behavior. It includes a real-time scheduler that allows developers to prioritize tasks and manage their execution in a time-sensitive manner.
Task Management: FreeRTOS uses a cooperative multitasking model, allowing developers to create and manage tasks with different priorities. Each task can be assigned a priority level, and the scheduler ensures that tasks with higher priority are executed before those with lower priority.
Resource Management: FreeRTOS includes features for managing resources efficiently, such as lightweight semaphores, queues, and mutexes. These mechanisms enable communication and synchronization between tasks.
Portability: FreeRTOS is designed to be highly portable, and it supports a wide range of microcontrollers and architectures. This portability makes it easier to adapt FreeRTOS to various embedded systems with different hardware configurations.
Memory Management: FreeRTOS includes a memory management scheme that allows dynamic allocation and deallocation of memory for tasks. However, developers can configure the kernel to use a static memory allocation model if needed.
Tickless Operation: FreeRTOS supports tickless operation, where the system enters a low-power state between ticks to conserve energy. This feature is particularly useful in battery-powered and energy-efficient embedded systems.
Community Support: FreeRTOS has an active and supportive user community. Developers can access a wealth of documentation, forums, and resources contributed by the community, making it easier to troubleshoot issues and share knowledge.
FreeRTOS is often used in various embedded applications, including IoT devices, robotics, medical devices, automotive systems, and more. Its open-source nature and permissive license make it a popular choice for both hobbyist projects and commercial products, providing a reliable foundation for building real-time embedded systems.
Default tasks
Tasks | Folders or files | Descriptions |
Idle | ||
powerdown | power-down control | |
powerup | power-up control | |
tmr Svc | Timer | |
viorw | virtual IO | |
wakeupkey | Detect wake-up key |
...