Working Group 2: Real-Time Systems

In the context of the SFB (Collaborative Research Center), control and regulation systems' hardware and software platforms are primarily regarded as real-time systems. This includes operating systems as well as communication systems, as the networking of electronic and mechatronic components is necessary to perform a distributed task.

"A real-time computer system is a computer system in which the correctness of the system behavior depends not only on the logical results of the computations but also on the physical instant at which these results are produced. A real-time computer system is always part of a larger system - this larger system is called a real-time system."

Specification of Real-Time Classes according to IAONA

The goal of this working group is to address the requirements for soft and hard real-time capabilities across the SFB projects, so that an exchange of experiences in solving specific real-time requirements and using corresponding tools is supported. In the first funding period of the SFB, the working group identified the most important real-time terms from relevant professional literature. From the results, a unified use of real-time terminology was developed as the basis for joint discussions within the SFB.

The regular meetings of the working group serve as a forum for the involved subprojects of the SFB, where the subprojects report on the real-time requirements identified in their area or present services for supporting real-time processing or communication. The identification of real-time requirements was supplemented by a survey initiated by the working group to all subprojects of the SFB. The survey results allowed the connections between the subprojects concerning real-time requirements to be identified. Additionally, the working group examined the real-time requirements of the demonstrators, namely the spring and tilting module, drive and brake module, and energy management. The information collected in the working group is regularly published on the working group’s website and in the SFB intranet, making it available to the subprojects. Furthermore, the working group invited external speakers to present current topics in the area of real-time systems.

The results of the working group have shown that real-time systems play an important role in the SFB. As the subprojects continue to progress in their areas, the importance of real-time systems will increase. The working group will continue in the second funding period to moderate the exchange of real-time requirements and solutions between the subprojects and set guidelines for the development of real-time capable components. Moreover, the working group will address general concepts and foundations for the development of real-time systems to support the subprojects in their development work.