5. Input/Output (I/O) Management in Real-Time and Embedded Environments
Input/Output (I/O) management is crucial in real-time and embedded systems for efficient interaction with external components such as sensors and actuators. It emphasizes deterministic and resource-efficient operations through technologies like polling, interrupt-driven I/O, and DMA. Understanding these I/O techniques alongside proper device driver implementations and power-aware management contributes to optimized system responsiveness and energy efficiency.
Sections
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What we have learnt
- I/O operations in embedded systems must be predictable, fast, and resource-efficient.
- Polling, interrupt-driven, and DMA-based I/O each serve different real-time needs.
- Efficient device drivers and minimal ISR latency are critical for system responsiveness.
- RTOS features like task synchronization, queues, and semaphores help structure I/O handling.
- Designing power-aware and error-resilient I/O systems ensures reliable, long-lasting devices.
Key Concepts
- -- Polling
- A method where the CPU actively checks the status of a device in a continuous loop.
- -- InterruptDriven I/O
- A method where a device sends an interrupt signal to the CPU when it is ready, allowing for more efficient CPU usage.
- -- Direct Memory Access (DMA)
- A capability that allows peripherals to transfer data directly to memory without CPU intervention, enhancing data transfer speeds.
- -- Device Drivers
- Software components that act as interfaces between hardware devices and the operating system or applications.
- -- RealTime Operating System (RTOS)
- An operating system designed to process data as it comes in, mostly without buffering delays, ensuring timely task execution.
Additional Learning Materials
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