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Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering

ISSN 2095-9184 (print), ISSN 2095-9230 (online)

XIRAC: an optimized product-oriented near-real-time operating system with unlimited tasks and an innovative programming paradigm based on the maximum entropy method

Abstract: In the fiercely competitive landscape of product-oriented operating systems, including the Internet of Things (IoT), efficiently managing a substantial stream of real-time tasks coexisting with resource-intensive user applications embedded in constrained hardware presents a significant challenge. Bridging the gap between embedded and general-purpose operating systems, we introduce XIRAC, an optimized operating system shaped by information-theory principles. XIRAC leverages Shannon’s information theory to regulate processor workloads, minimize context switches, and preempt processes by maximizing system entropy tolerance. Unlike prior approaches that apply information theory to task priority alignment, the proposed method integrates maximum entropy into the core of the real-time operating system (RTOS) and scheduling algorithms. Subsequently, we optimize numerous system parameters by shifting and integrating commonly used unlimited tasks from the application layer to the kernel. We describe the advantages of this architectural shift, including improved system performance, scalability, and adaptability. A new application-programming paradigm, termed “object-emulated programming,” has emerged from this integration. Practical implementations of XIRAC in diverse products have revealed additional benefits, including reduced learning curves, elimination of library functions and threading dependencies, optimized chip capabilities, and increased competitiveness in product development. We provide a comprehensive explanation of these benefits and explore their impact through real-world use cases and practical applications.

Key words: Task scheduling; Information theory; Embedded real-time operating system (RTOS); Maximum entropy; Load balancing

Chinese Summary  <13> XIRAC:一种优化的具有无限制任务及创新编程范式的基于最大熵且面向产品的近实时操作系统

Alireza ZIRAK
核科学与技术研究院光子学与量子技术研究所,伊朗德黑兰,111553486
摘要:在受限硬件环境下,包括物联网在内的面向产品的操作系统面临着难以同时高效管理海量实时任务并执行资源密集型应用的重大挑战。为弥补该类嵌入式操作系统与通用操作系统的性能鸿沟,在信息论指导下,本文构建了一种优化的实时操作系统XIRAC。XIRAC利用香农信息论来调节处理器的工作负载,最大限度减少上下文切换,并通过最大化系统熵容限实现进程抢占。与以往仅将信息论用于任务优先级匹配的方法不同,XIRAC将最大熵集成到实时操作系统(RTOS)与调度算法的内核中。随后,将若干常见的无限制任务从应用层迁移至系统内核,以优化海量的系统参数。描述了这种架构转变的优势,包括优化的系统性能、可扩展性和适应性。从这种集成中衍生出一种新兴编程范式,称为"对象模拟编程"。XIRAC在多种产品中的实际应用展示了更多优势,包括缩短学习曲线、消除对库函数和线程的依赖、优化芯片潜能、提高产品开发的竞争力。本文对上述优势进行了全面总结,并通过实际案例与应用探讨了其影响。

关键词组:任务调度;信息论;嵌入式实时操作系统(RTOS);最大熵;负载均衡


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DOI:

10.1631/FITEE.2400102

CLC number:

TP316.2

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On-line Access:

2025-05-06

Received:

2024-02-12

Revision Accepted:

2024-08-05

Crosschecked:

2025-05-06

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