VLX Real-Time Virtualization enables real-time environments to execute in parallel with OpenOS and other execution environments on a common hardware platform or processor. The virtualization software layer that supports these multiple environments maintains the system’s real time properties. It also occupies the small memory footprint required by real-time embedded applications.

The key benefits of real-time virtualization are:

Reduced Development Costs and Time to Market

One or more OpenOS such as Linux, Symbian, or Windows may execute in parallel with a RTOS without disrupting the behavior of the supported applications. Guest OS’ require only some adaptations in their Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) to run within the virtualized environment.

Most of the guest OS’ is reused without modification. Native device drivers, protocol stacks and system modules can be reused in a straight-forward fashion. Legacy applications remain unmodified and run in the new context. This ensures minimum development cost and a short time to market. 

Increased Security

Real-time virtualization offers robust security via the hardware enforced memory isolation of partitions, which isolates each OS from the others, and prevents cross-corruption. In addition, specific partitions may be added and used to execute secure applications in small certifiable environments protected from the larger and open OpenOS or RTOS executing in other partitions.

Increased Availability and Reliability

Guest systems may be transparently monitored and, depending upon the configuration, may be automatically rebooted in case of failure. The failure of a guest system has no impact on the other systems, which continue to deliver their service. Moreover, restart of a failed system is triggered by software, bypassing any hardware mechanisms, enabling a faster return to service. Hence, overall system reliability is increased.

Supports Many Diverse OSs

VirtualLogix VLX supports many different commercial and proprietary RTOSs. Today, more than 7 different RTOS have been adapted to VirtualLogix VLX. It also supports a variety of RichOS such as Linux and Windows CE. This demonstrates the ease of adaptation to VirtualLogix VLX and the maturity of its technology.

Increased Flexibility and Modularity

In addition, the VirtualLogix VLX architecture has been designed for flexibility. VirtualLogix VLX components can be enhanced with modules to provide additional services, such as increased security, platform management, or compatibility, depending upon the needs

of the target product.

Comprehensive I/O Peripheral Device Management

Most connected devices must manage a wide range of I/O peripherals. Some, such as modems, must be handled by the RTOS. Others are better managed by the RichOS. However, many I/O peripherals must be accessed by both environments − frame buffer and audio device are examples in a mobile phone.

To handle such constraints, VirtualLogix VLX provides a comprehensive set of drivers, enabling the guest OSs to transparently cooperate while accessing such I/O peripherals.

Communication mechanisms are not hardwired by VirtualLogix VLX. They can be simply configured as virtual device drivers and made available to applications through the most appropriate interfaces. This flexibility ensures the best possible throughput between

applications running on various guest OSs.

Maintains Fast Performance

The VirtualLogix VLX architecture introduces almost no overhead to the RTOS. A negligible and bounded overhead occurs only when an interrupt occurs while the second guest OS is active, enabling realtime applications to run undisturbed. The performance of the RichOS is highly dependent upon the load of the RTOS. However, analysis shows that the overhead imposed on the RichOS is minimal when the RTOS is inactive, and increases only slightly with the activity of the RTOS.

A Sound Foundation for Advanced Features

VirtualLogix VLX is a deployed solution that has already solved many of our customers’ complex product design challenges. Running several OS’s, side-by-side might raise some concerns regarding the global scheduling of tasks, independently of whether these tasks run within one guest OS or another. VirtualLogix VLX provides several scheduling policies with flexible control of task scheduling. As an example, avoiding CPU starvation of a guest OS is a guarantee against some Denial of Service attacks.

Another policy enables fine grain scheduling between activities running in different guest OS’s.

Security within connected devices is an increasingly important issue. The ability to run isolated environments with different security levels on the same device permits to secure sensitive end-user data while offering the possibility to download games and applications without compromising device integrity. VirtualLogix VLX is a sound foundation for such configurations.

Deep Mobile Industry Experience

VirtualLogix has long-standing experience, expertise, and engagement throughout the mobile industry’s ecosystem.  Thus, it provides silicon vendors and OEMs/ODMs a software platform that reduces the complexity, risk, and time-to-market in the design of feature phones, smartphones, MIDs, netbooks, and notebooks.