Martin Terbuc was born in 1960 and graduated in 1984 at the Technical school in Maribor, where he also worked as a young researcher and registered a post-graduate study. He obtained his M.A. in 1987 at the Faculty of Technology, department for electrical engineering. He took his doctor's degree at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, where he is employed as a senior lecturer for automatics and robotics. He also attended advanced study courses at the Technical University in Muenchen.

Subject

Usage of Linux in Embedded Systems

Real time work in GNU Linux environment is most known by RTLinux and his clone RTAI. At RTLinux there is a small, fast and predictable kernel with mentioned functions that co-exist together with common Linux kernel. An abstract machine - RTLinux interface, also called virtual machine, is inserted between common kernel and hardware and Linux kernel has a low priority so it can't stop or slow down the tasks in real time.

To show the RTLinux activities, we performed PID regulation of linear axle, where it is possible to change parameters by graphical user's interface during the activity (on-line). When including tools, such as LabView and Matlab/Simulink we also get a strong instrument for the research purposes.

We are definitely interested in computer system behaviour. By increasing the velocity of typing it can be noticed how the time GNU/Linuxs has at disposal is shortening. Above all, this can be observed when switching between desktop items, but the regulator remain totaly stable. It is proved the building of systems for the real time work with the use of Linux derivatives is reasonable, both from technical as well as from economical point of view.