Hard real-time applications based on a standard linux distribution

The ability of hard real-time operating systems becomes increasing more important in many applications. A few years ago the domain existed only of special solutions. Up to now a wide range of standardized operating systems moved mainstream, all-purpose on different micro controllers. The following article starts with the general features of a real-time operating system. Linux with a real-time extension as an alternative to classic solutions is introduced. After explaining two fieldbus systems of the industrial automation a detailed example follows closing. It is about the realization of a gateway between the two described fieldbus systems based on a standard Linux distribution with hard real-time.