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Keil RTX Overview: How to Install, Pros & Cons, Price

November 14, 2024

Explore Keil RTX: installation, benefits, drawbacks, pricing, and device compatibility. A must-read for firmware developers seeking detailed insights.

What is Keil RTX

  Overview of Keil RTX  

  • Keil RTX is a real-time operating system (RTOS) that is designed for ARM microcontrollers and provides a powerful, flexible, and efficient framework for building applications in embedded systems.
    •  
  • It serves as a comprehensive framework providing multitasking capabilities, allowing multiple threads to operate simultaneously, thereby optimizing the use of processor resources.
  Features of Keil RTX  
  • Includes a powerful scheduler that ensures high-speed operation and efficient task management for critical real-time applications.
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  • Supports multithreading, which allows for the concurrent execution of multiple tasks, each being assigned with a specific priority level.
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  • Offers essential RTOS services like timer management, memory allocation, and inter-process communication with semaphore, mailbox, and event flag capabilities.
  Usage in Firmware Development  
  • Firmware engineers use Keil RTX to develop and manage complex embedded systems where tasks need to run concurrently and be prioritized effectively.
    •  
  • Its robust multitasking environment is particularly beneficial in optimizing CPU resource utilization and enhancing system response times in real-world applications.
  Integration and Compatibility  
  • Keil RTX is seamlessly integrated with the Keil MDK-Core development environment, facilitating streamlined project setups and development workflows for ARM Cortex-M devices.
    •  
  • Being part of the CMSIS (Cortex Microcontroller Software Interface Standard), it ensures broad compatibility with ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers and supports a wide range of middleware components.
  ``` #include __task void task_1 (void) { for (;;) { // Task 1 execution code } } int main (void) { os_sys_init(task_1); // Initialize task system } ```   Conclusion  
  • Keil RTX is a critical tool in the toolkit of firmware engineers aiming to build advanced, efficient, and reliable embedded applications.
    •  
  • Its ability to efficiently manage multiple concurrent tasks makes it essential for developing high-performance real-time systems.
 

What is Keil RTX Used for

  What is Keil RTX Used for  

  • Keil RTX is a real-time operating system (RTOS) used in embedded systems development. It is specifically designed for ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers.
    •  
  • Firmware engineers use Keil RTX to manage tasks that require multitasking, allowing concurrent execution of multiple threads, improving efficiency, and responsiveness of the system.
    •  
  • Currently, it provides features such as deterministic real-time operations, task scheduling, and inter-thread communication which are crucial for complex applications in embedded systems.
    •  
  • It integrates seamlessly with Keil MDK, one of the most popular development environments for ARM microcontrollers.
  Is Keil RTX Still Used or Outdated  
  • Keil RTX is not considered outdated as it continues to receive updates and support.
    •  
  • It remains widely used among developers building products around ARM Cortex-M processors, especially when real-time task management is essential.
    •  
  • While there are other RTOS options available, Keil RTX's close integration with Keil MDK makes it a preferred choice for many developers who already use the Keil development suite.
    •  
  • The active maintenance and updates by ARM ensure that the tool stays relevant with industry needs and supports latest advancements in microcontroller tech and development methodologies.
 

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Is Keil RTX Free

  Keil RTX Licensing  

  • Keil RTX is a free real-time operating system provided by Arm for use with its MDK toolchain.
    •  
  • It is free for both commercial and non-commercial use when used with the MDK-ARM toolchain.
 

What Devices Support Keil RTX

  Overview of Keil RTX Device Support  

  • Keil RTX is an operating system component that is primarily designed for Cortex-M processor-based devices, which are commonly used in microcontroller and embedded system applications.
    •  
  • This includes support for a wide range of ARM Cortex-M series processors, such as Cortex-M0, Cortex-M3, Cortex-M4, and Cortex-M7 cores, which are prevalent in various microcontrollers from multiple manufacturers.
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  Comprehensive Support for MCU Brands  
  • NXP: Keil RTX is compatible with several integrated circuits and microcontroller families from NXP, including their LPC and Kinetis series, which utilize Cortex-M cores.
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  • STMicroelectronics: The STM32 family, covering a broad spectrum of performance and feature sets, is widely supported by Keil RTX, particularly for their ARM-based MCUs.
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  • Silicon Laboratories: Keil RTX supports the EFM32 Gecko series microcontrollers, which optimize low power consumption using ARM Cortex-M cores.
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  • Texas Instruments: The MSP432 microcontrollers and other ARM-based offerings are covered by Keil RTX's robust scheduling capabilities.
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  • Renesas: The Synergy series, known for its efficacy in IoT applications, is compatible with Keil RTX, enabling efficient task management and timing functions.
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  Other Processor Architectures  
  • While Keil RTX is optimized for ARM Cortex-M cores, it may also support some devices with ARM Cortex-R processors, although this is less common compared to Cortex-M support.
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  Use Cases and Applications  
  • Keil RTX is an ideal choice for applications requiring precise control over timing and task management in embedded systems, such as real-time operating systems (RTOS) commonly developed for consumer electronics, automotive industries, and IoT devices.
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  • Firmware engineers leverage Keil RTX to implement complex applications that necessitate deterministic execution, supporting the development of reliable and efficient embedded systems.
    •  
 

Pros and Cons of Keil RTX

Real-Time Performance

  • Keil RTX is known for its deterministic behavior, ensuring reliable real-time performance, which is crucial for embedded systems compared to some other RTOS that might not guarantee strict timing constraints.

Integration with Keil MDK

  • As part of the Keil Microcontroller Development Kit (MDK), RTX offers seamless integration, making it easier for developers using Keil MDK to develop, test, and debug their firmware compared to using third-party RTOS solutions.

Small Footprint

  • RTX is designed to have a small memory footprint, which is advantageous for resource-constrained systems; some other RTOS might require substantially more memory, impacting the feasibility of use in minimal environments.

Limited Portability

  • Keil RTX is specifically tailored for use with ARM processors, which may limit its portability compared to more platform-agnostic RTOS solutions like FreeRTOS that can be used across different architectures.

Proprietary License

  • RTX operates under a proprietary license as opposed to open-source alternatives like FreeRTOS, potentially limiting visibility into the source code and customization options for developers.

Less Community Support

  • Due to its proprietary nature, RTX may have less community-driven support and resources available, compared to open-source RTOS options like FreeRTOS, which benefit from a wider base of community contributions and problem-solving resources.

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How to Install Keil RTX

  Download Keil RTX  

  • Visit the official Keil website to access the software.
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  • Ensure you have an account created with Keil to download the RTX package.
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  • Locate the RTX download page and download the latest version of Keil RTX.
  Install Keil RTX  
  • Run the downloaded RTX installer file to initiate the installation process.
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  • Follow the on-screen prompts to agree with the license agreement.
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  • Choose the installation directory or leave it at the default path provided during the installation wizard.
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  • Complete the installation process following the installation wizard instructions until the RTX is installed.
  Configure Keil RTX with Your Project  
  • Open your existing project or create a new project in Keil Microcontroller Development Kit (MDK).
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  • Include the RTX library in your project settings. This can typically be done in the project configuration under "Manage Run-Time Environment."
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  • Enable the RTX options or configuration settings specific to your project requirements.
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  • Modify your project’s source code to utilize the RTX API for task management. Ensure proper initialization of the RTX kernel in your main function.
  Verify and Test  
  • Build your project to ensure that RTX is correctly integrated and there are no compilation errors.
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  • Deploy and test the application on your hardware to verify that the tasks scheduled by RTX operate as intended.
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  • Utilize debugging tools within Keil to troubleshoot any issues or refine the implementation of RTX-related features.
  Stay Updated with Keil RTX  
  • Regularly check for updates to Keil RTX to benefit from improved features and fixes.
    •  
  • Stay informed about the newest resources, tutorials, and community forums provided by Keil for RTX users.
 

Keil RTX FAQ

How does Keil RTX handle task scheduling and what customization options are available for priority settings and time slicing?

  Task Scheduling in Keil RTX  

  • Keil RTX employs a priority-based, pre-emptive scheduling mechanism where tasks are assigned different priority levels. The highest priority task ready to run is granted CPU time.
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  • Time slicing within the same priority level is configurable, allowing even distribution of CPU time among equally prioritized tasks.
  Customization Options  
  • Task priorities can be adjusted dynamically at runtime, permitting real-time adaptation to changing processing requirements.
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  • Time slice durations for tasks of the same priority can be customized to optimize system responsiveness and task throughput.
 

What is the memory footprint of Keil RTX and how can it be optimized for resource-constrained embedded systems?

  Memory Footprint and Optimization  

  • Keil RTX requires a minimal footprint, approximately 5-10KB for core functions, but this can increase based on features.
    •  
  • Optimize by using only necessary features: disable idle/shutdown mode if not needed, reduce the number of message queues, mailboxes, and threads.
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  • Fine-tune thread stack sizes. Use analysis tools to determine optimal sizes and adjust OS tick for less frequent but sufficient scheduling.
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  • Use static memory allocation over dynamic to save RAM and avoid fragmentation.
 

How does Keil RTX manage inter-task communication and synchronization, and what mechanisms are provided to prevent deadlocks?

  Inter-Task Communication and Synchronization  

  • Keil RTX uses mailboxes, message queues, and semaphores for task communication. Mailboxes provide one-to-one communication, while message queues support a distributed model for multiple receivers.
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  • Mutexes and semaphores enable task synchronization. Mutexes are ideal for managing exclusive access to resources, and semaphores manage signaling among tasks.
  Preventing Deadlocks  
  • Priority inversion is minimized using priority inheritance, where lower-priority tasks holding a mutex temporarily inherit the priority of higher-priority tasks.
    •  
  • Careful design protocol, such as acquiring locks in a consistent order and timeout mechanisms for blocking calls, reduces the risk of deadlocks.
 

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