Summary

Open source operating systems are designed for different purposes and use cases. In this chapter, we have analyzed a few of the available implementations and research projects, in search of the ideal solution to better fit the design of embedded systems, from lightweight RTOS purely designed for performance, through more advanced strategies for process separation and standard interfaces, to the effort in redefining security through process isolation using new programming paradigms. For most embedded systems, a tailored solution with the smallest overhead introduced by the thread management mechanisms is still the preferred option, while high-end multipurpose systems might benefit from the increased level of safety of more complex designs. Increased safety, however, increases the real-time process latency and may slightly impact performance. In conclusion, while more complex architectures may benefit from the added security and compatibility of more advanced operating systems, many...