embOS-Ultra
The high-precision, impressively energy-efficient RTOS
embOS-Ultra offers higher precision and time resolution than any other RTOS on the market, resulting in less energy consumption and improved performance.
Overview
embOS-Ultra is a high-precision real-time operating system (RTOS) that uses Cycle-Resolution Timing to offer greater accuracy and time resolution than any other RTOS on the market. Scheduling of all time-related events (including timeouts, delays, and periodic timing) can be specified in milliseconds, microseconds, nanoseconds, or timer cycles. Cycle-resolution-timing technology replaces target-specific techniques for improved precision, allowing for the generation of flexible system ticks that are independent of the target hardware.
Key features
embOS-Ultra was developed by SEGGER’s Embedded Experts, the creators of the embOS RTOS family. embOS has an extremely reliable codebase that has proven itself and been optimized over many decades. Both embOS and embOS-Ultra were built with the same fundamental principles in mind: ease of use and fully deterministic real-time operation. Like all other editions of embOS, embOS-Ultra is highly scalable and portable, allowing seamless integration across a variety of microcontrollers and architectures.
Ultra-high resolution
embOS-Ultra allows precise cycle-based scheduling via flexible system ticks. Task execution is optimized, time control is dynamic and adaptive, and ticks are triggered only when needed.
Full compatibility
Migration from embOS-Classic to the cycle-based embOS-Ultra is very simple. No application changes are required, as existing API and RTOS behavior is maintained. Migrating from other tick-based RTOSs encapsulated by an abstraction layer (such as CMSIS-RTOS) is also easy.
Energy efficiency
embOS-Ultra is the first RTOS that reduces energy use by simply avoiding unnecessary activity. Switching to embOS-Ultra immediately enhances performance and saves power, and there is no need to modify application code.
Use cases
embOS-Ultra brings unmatched efficiency and performance to embedded applications. Whether a use case involves medical devices, automotive control units, industrial automation, energy-efficient IoT devices, or robotics, embOS-Ultra optimizes timing and resource management, enabling reliable and efficient operation. In even the most demanding scenarios, it maintains its flexibility and ease of integration across embedded systems of all types.
Extended battery life in low-power applications
embOS-Ultra is perfect for battery-powered devices and energy-efficient IoT solutions where minimal power consumption is crucial. Its use of Cycle-Resolution Timing optimizes task execution, reducing unnecessary CPU wake-ups and ensuring a processor remains in a low-power state for as long as possible. The results? Extended battery life for a variety of devices, including smart sensors, wearable technology, and remote monitoring systems. embOS-Ultra is an ideal choice for energy-friendly embedded applications.
High-speed data processing
embOS-Ultra is designed for applications that demand precise task scheduling and low latency, making it ideal for robotics or motor control. Cycle-Resolution Timing ensures deterministic real-time behavior, allowing for ultra-fast response times and efficient resource utilization. Whether employed to manage complex movement in robots, synchronize high-speed industrial processes, or process large data streams in real time, embOS-Ultra provides the reliability and performance needed for the task at hand.
How embOS-Ultra works
embOS-Ultra is based on Cycle-Resolution-Timing technology, which allows time resolution to be precisely matched to individual CPU cycles via flexible system ticks. This cycle-based scheduling replaces traditional periodic system ticks with single-shot hardware timers, overcoming the limitations of tick-based scheduling with fixed tick intervals. By generating interrupts only when necessary, the scheduler can adapt to actual requirements, resulting in reduced CPU activity. In the event that a hardware component is defective or a sensor fails, the RTOS does not generate unnecessary system tick interrupts. The system can be automatically switched into a power-saving state, and unnecessary resource use can be avoided.
embOS-Classic vs. embOS-Ultra
In a video and blog post, Jacob Beningo of Beningo Embedded Group tests the product and explains the difference between traditional system-based scheduling and SEGGER's embOS-Ultra with cycle-based scheduling.
Experience embOS-Classic and embOS-Ultra, side by side, in a live comparison simulated in Embedded Studio (link below, no hardware required). See how embOS-Ultra’s high-precision Cycle-Resolution Timing enhances real-time performance and efficiency.
Memory protection
embOS-Ultra is also available with embOS-MPU (memory protection unit) technology, which leverages a processor's MPU in order to isolate individual tasks both from each other and the operating system. This ensures that errors in one application do not affect an entire system and that safety-critical functions are executed reliably. As a result, embedded systems benefit from enhanced stability, as unprivileged tasks have only controlled access to memory regions, peripherals, and operating-system objects.
More information is available on the embOS-MPU page.
Supported cores and compilers
embOS-Ultra is available for different core and compiler combinations, all of which are listed in SEGGER's complete overview of embOS ports. This list is regularly updated. If a core or compiler is not on the list, SEGGER will port embOS-Ultra to that target. Questions? Contact us.
embOS-Ultra packages
The embOS RTOS can be delivered as an object-code or source-code package. The source-code package expands on the object-code package by including embOS source code. Using embOS source code enables the use of application-specific compiler options. Compile time switches allow users to customize embOS by enabling only required functionalities. Adding embOS source code to a project provides additional insight when debugging at source level.
Both embOS packages include the same ready-to-use board support packages for various devices and evaluation boards.
| Features | Object code | Source code | |
|---|---|---|---|
| embOS object code library | |||
| embOS source code library | |||
| embOSView – Profiling PC tool | |||
| embOS manual | |||
| CPU- and compiler-specific manual | |||
| Release notes | |||
| embOS IDE plugins | |||
| SystemView instrumentation | |||
| Device support | |||
| Board support packages | |||
| Updates and technical support | |||
| Feature & maintenance updates | |||
| Technical support | |||
Supported Not supported
Licensing
embOS-Ultra is available under various embedded software license models. All user-created hardware components are royalty free, and there are no additional fees or limits on production volume. Every license model includes a 6-month support-and-update agreement, and there is also an option to extend both support and updates for an additional 12 months. To purchase a license, please contact us.
*Applies to a second seat/product and all additional seats/products of the Single Product License and Single Developer License.
Friendly License
embOS-Ultra is also available under SEGGER's Friendly License, which allows free-of-charge use for non-commercial, evaluation, and educational purposes. With this license, the product is fully functional and there are no technical limitations. All ports, including several board support packages (BSPs) for popular evaluation boards from leading semiconductor vendors, can be downloaded for evaluation at https://www.segger.com/downloads/embos/.
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