Adaptation of the Linux Operating System Kernel for Microprocessor-Based Interlocking System

the article examines the specific aspects of using the Linux operating system in a microprocessorbased interlocking system built on microcomputers and programmable controllers using industrial controllers with x86 architecture processors. Particular attention is paid to ensuring the required timing characteristics of the software platform necessary for the operation of a duplicated central logic controller structure based on the 2oo2 architecture. It is shown that the use of a standard Linux configuration is not optimal for a specialized industrial system with stringent responsetime requirements. The approaches to scaling the Linux kernel, enabling kernel preemption using CONFIG_PREEMPT, using high-resolution timers, and applying the realtime scheduling policy SCHED_FIFO for timecritical application processes are considered. To evaluate the timing characteristics of the software platform, both the standard cyclictest benchmark and specialized test software performing data exchange between central logic controllers via Ethernet are proposed. An approach to the experimental evaluation of operating system response time and the interaction time between application processes is presented.