Embedded systems are typically real-time systems, meaning they must respond in a timely manner to multiple, potentially concurrent events as they occur. Real-time kernels like MicroC/OS-II are "small-footprint" operating systems that can fit on the microcontrollers used in embedded systems. Just as larger-scale operating systems make the application programmer's task easier by providing easily used "services," real-time kernels make embedded systems development easier by providing prewritten, pre-tested scheduling, synchronization, and communication services. MicroC/OS-II is a mature, sophisticated, highly portable, well-respected, and widely used open source real-time kernel. It has been adapted to work on over 50 different kinds of microcontroller. The latest version is so robust that it has even been used in FAA DO178B Level B certified safety critical products. This book and the accompanying software serves advanced engineering and computer science students as an operating systems primer; engineers and developers seeking to save development time by using the MicroC/OS RTOS in their own projects; and professionals evaluating commercially available kernels who will use MicroC/OS's to perform comparative evaluations.
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