Requirements for an operating system for robot controller systems

• Published in: Advanced robotics 1988-01, Vol.3 (2), p.131-139
• Main Authors: Takata, Masayuki, Ishikawa, Hiroshi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Material handling, hoisting. Storage. Packaging; Transfert equipment, manipulators; industrial robots
• ISSN: 0169-1864; 1568-5535
• DOI: 10.1163/156855389X00046

In this review, one class of operating system, which is used in industrial workstations to control robotic systems, is considered from the view point of real-time capability. The industrial workstation here means a high performance computer, which is installed in a manufacturing line to control process and parts flow. Initially, some characteristics required for such real-time operating systems used in industrial workstations are enumerated, involving process synchronization, data sharing, inter-workstation communication and easy man-machine interface. Before the introduction of industrial operating systems, the activities of conventional operating systems are classified into some categories, and are discussed briefly. Then, the required functions of operating systems for industrial workstations are mentioned, according to the preceding categories, which are process management, memory management, data management, input/output management and device management. Lastly, the importance of the interface between operating systems and application programs is mentioned. Especially the needs of programming environments which include the operating system, robotic system control languages and interactive programming/debugging environments are emphasized.