Object kernel for DSP & RISC processors

From: clb@softia.com (Chris Bidaut)
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 22:48:46
Organization: Softia, Inc.

This is an announcement for KEOBJ, an object-oriented micro-kernel for Digital
Signal Processors (DSP) and RISC processors.  This is also a request for 
comments from the Internet community. Feedback on the architecture and 
programming interface will be appreciated and incorporated into the next
release.


1 DESCRIPTION
-------------

KEOBJ is an object-oriented micro-kernel optimized for advanced embedded 
applications, and it particularly targets Digital Signal Processors (DSP) 
and RISC processors in multimedia environments.

Its main features are object-orientation, real-time behavior, signal processing
support, micro-kernel architecture and scalability.

1.1 Object-orientation

The kernel is a collection of system classes exported to the applications
(e.g Process, Thread, Memory, ...).
An object name space provides a way to locate any public object (e.g. IPC, 
memory) using a symbolic path.
The kernel is written in C++ and is easily portable.

1.2 Real-time behavior

The design stresses fast response time and predictability to qualify for the 
real-time label. The kernel is reentrant and preeemptable.

1.3 Signal processing support

Besides providing an architecture appropriate for most general purpose 
applications, the kernel incorporates dedicated features for signal processing
applications. This includes two phases interrupt processing, time-deadline
scheduling, Inter Process Communications, multiple memory pools, awareness of
the constraints due to a single data type (word).

1.4 Micro-kernel architecture

Probably the most important feature of the kernel is the ability to be
extended at run-time with new services such as devices drivers, public
classes (IPC, file systems, windowing systems). Applications and system
services are dynamically loaded by a COFF compatible loader.

The core kernel is customizable at run-time through a personality mechanism 
to emulate other environments (Operating systems) or to tailor the processes
environments. 

1.5 Scalability

The API supports physical and virtual memory organizations with the same 
semantics.

Applications source code will be portable across DSP and RISC processors.

The architecture supports symmetric multiprocessing and distribution (Available
by mid-1994).


2 WHERE TO FIND THE PACKAGE
---------------------------

A set of documentation about KEOBJ is available via anonymous ftp on the 
following Internet server:
		netcom.com (192.100.81.100) in file /pub/softia/keobj.zip


If you do not have access to Internet, contact me for other delivery media at:
Chris Bidaut			clb@softia.com
Telephone (408) 262-6520	Fax (408) 262-7210


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