Technolution is regularly faced with the situation that real-time control software needs to be combined with non-real-time application software. The real-time control software runs on a real-time OS; the non-real-time application on Windows or Linux, for example. Traditionally in this situation, two hardware platforms are used, but with the advent of multi-core CPUs, (real-time) hypervisors are also available which provide facilities to run several operating systems (OS) side by side on a single hardware platform.

Research question

We are seeking to answer the following research question: What are the limits of the real-time behaviour in multi-core architectures in combination with a real-time hypervisor?

Your assignment and the desired end result

The assignment comprises at least the following elements:

  • Surveying the real-time hypervisor landscape, both in terms of products (open-source, closed-source) and technology.
  • Defining a representative case whereby the real-time behaviour can be compared between systems with and without a real-time hypervisor.
  • Determining dead-line properties of the real-time OS on a real-time hypervisor and the impact of a second, non-real-time OS on the hypervisor.
  • What is the impact of the underlying CPU/platform architecture?
  • What are the time guarantees if 2 real-time operating systems are running side by side on a real-time hypervisor?
  • How debuggable is the whole? Can we learn anything about time guarantees from the hypervisor?

 
The end result of the assignment is an infrastructure for running a real-time and a non-real-time OS side by side on a (PC) platform.

Job requirements: interest in the software side of multi-core CPU architectures and solution-focused attitude

In order to successfully complete this assignment, you enjoy working accurately and in a solution-focused manner. In addition:

  • You are taking a university degree in electrical engineering, embedded systems or computer science
  • You are interested in multi-core CPU architectures and virtualisation.
  • But the most important thing is that passion for technology that all our colleagues share.

Interest and questions

If you are interested in this graduation assignment, please apply directly. For questions about the assignment, please contact human resource manager Hilko Kooistra.

Supervision and working environment

We set aside sufficient time to support those carrying out graduation assignments and we prepare for your arrival properly. You will be supervised by an experienced embedded systems expert. You will work with him and up to 3 other embedded systems colleagues in one room. In this way, you will get to work in a quiet environment in which you can carry out your assignment in a focused manner, but you will have the opportunity to ask questions of your experienced ‘roommates'. In addition, you will have every opportunity to hunt for information that is useful for your assignment in our Technopedia, or to discuss with colleagues from our other disciplines, such as programmable logic, technical information systems and electronics.
And naturally you will be remunerated for this assignment and enjoy other excellent benefits.