VEST: A Toolset for Constructing and Analyzing Component Based Operating Systems for Embedded and Real-Time Systems

Introduction Embedded systems are proliferating at an amazing rate with no end in sight. In 1998 only 2% of all processors where used for general purpose workstations and 98% for embedded systems. The percentage of processors used for workstations is rapidly approaching 0% for the year 2000. Success of embedded systems depends on low cost, a high degree of tailorability, quickness to market, cost-e#ective variations in the product, and sometimes flexible operation of the product. The reliability of these products and the degree of configurability will become paramount concerns. Currently, there is no e#cient way to build software for these systems. The use of component based software for constructing and tailoring these systems has promise. However, most components are too heavyweight and don't explicitly address real-time, memory, power and cost constraints. What is required is a new type of component that is lightweight and relates to the physical and real-time properties o