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VxWorks is a Unix-like real-time operating system made and sold by Wind River Systems of Alameda, California, USA.
Like most RTOSes, VxWorks includes a multitasking kernel with pre-emptive scheduling and fast interrupt response, extensive intertask communications and synchronization facilities, and a file system. Newer versions of VxWorks now support pSOS system calls since Wind River now owns both RTOSes.
Major distinguishing features of VxWorks include efficient POSIX-compliant memory management, multiprocessor facilities, a shell for user interface, symbolic and source level debugging capabilities, and performance monitoring.
VxWorks is generally used in embedded systems. Unlike "native" systems such as UNIX and Forth, VxWorks development is done on a "host" machine running UNIX or Windows, cross-compiling target software to run on various "target" CPU architectures as well as on "host" by means of VxSim.
History
The name VxWorks is believed to be a pun on the VRTX real-time operating system, at the time created by Ready Systems, now a Mentor Graphics product. In the early 1980s VRTX was a new product and did not work so well. It was 4KB in size and could not be fully used as an operating system. Wind River acquired the rights to resell VRTX with an extension named VxWorks which was workable (including for example a file system and an integrated development environment), so VxWorks most probably means VRTX now Works or VRTX that Works. When Wind River anticipated that Ready Systems would cancel the contract, they developed their own kernel and put it in VRTX's place. The core functionality of VxWorks is similar to that of VRTX.
Tornado
Tornado is a integrated development environment for software cross-development. Tornado consists of the following elements:
- VxWorks target operating system
- Application-building tools (cross-compiler and associated programs)
- An integrated development environment (IDE) that facilitates managing and building projects, establishing host-target communication, and running, debugging, and monitoring VxWorks applications
- VxSim simulator
Products using VxWorks
- The Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity and the MRO use VxWorks running on the IBM POWER platform. VxWorks is in use in several other spacecraft as well, for example, the Deep Impact mission.
- Boeing intends to use the operating system in their new 787 airliner.
- The Linksys WRT54G wireless router (without the designation 'WRT54GL') uses VxWorks on models v5 and higher.
- Several LiteON DVD recorders use VxWorks.
- The Promina multiplexers use VxWorks.
- The Digita OS from the FlashPoint Technology, Inc, used in the early semi-professional digital cameras (like Kodak DC220..DC290, Minolta Dimage 1500EX and Casio QV-5000SX) was a customized version of VxWorks.
- Communication systems of most companies uses VxWorks for their servers. The list includes, but not limited to, 3COM, Alcatel, Avaya, Cisco (Now use IOS instead of VxWorks), NEC, Nortel, Siemens, and ZTE. For instance, Siemens Communication Systems such as EWSD, HiCOM, and HiPath use VxWorks as their Interface Cards' OS.
- Proxim uses VxWorks on the models AP-2000 and later.
- A variety of cable modems also use VxWorks such as the Motorola Surfboard range
- A number of Adobe PostScript-based computer printers including the Tektronix Phaser series (now produced by Xerox)
- ReplayTV uses VxWorks on its digital video recorder.
- Siemens Medical Solutions uses VxWorks to control the real time events of its MRI scanners.
- ABB Ltd. Robotics
- MA Lightning uses VxWorks for Light Show Commanders and the GrandMA Series of lighting consoles.
Competitive operating systems
Similar real-time operating systems are available from other vendors:
External links
- Wind River Systems
- VxWorks/Tornado II FAQ
- Embedded Planet VxWorks Training
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