Implementing Ada.Real_Time.Clock and absolute delays in real-time kernels

Abstract

A real-time kernel providing multitasking and timing services is a fundamental component of any real-time system. Timing services, which are crucial to the correct execution of this kind of applications, are usually provided by a real-time clock and timer manager, which is part of the kernel and implements the required functionality on top of the one or more hardware timers. Kernel timing services must be implemented carefully in order to avoid race problems and inconsistencies which may be caused by the fact that many common hardware timer chips are not intended at a direct implementation of software timing services. This paper provides advice on the implementation of two of the Ada timing services: Ada.Real_Time.Clock, and absolute delays (delay until). The example implementation of both services in the Open Raven-scar Kernel, which is based on the ideas presented in the paper, is also described.