Thread: The future of your Nokia Windows phone
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wildwaldbiberhirte is offline wildwaldbiberhirte
2011-02-25 , 13:22
Posts: 15 | Thanked: 2 times | Joined on Feb 2010
#83
Originally Posted by ericsson View Post
Linux is comparable to Windows 7 (NT) in terms of RT, that is completely off the charts regarding RT but good at running tons of processes where exact timing is no issue, like on a PC.

For mobile phones, running tons of processes has limited advantage, but RT capabilities becomes increasingly important when the HW spec gets lower and simpler. Nokia is in the need for something that also work well in the sub 200$ range to replace Symbian, and that doesn't suck the life out of the batteries in a couple of hours.
Windows NT is preemptive, not preemptible. Hard RT requires certain scheduling methods and a preemtible kernel, which stock Linux can provide, as well as win CE.
I think the main limitations are in footprint for tiny embedded systems (same as windows whatever), and limited time functions (same as windows whatever). And, of course, certification for safety critical systems.

Realtime capabilities have no direct influence on energy consumption and minimal hardware specs. Or, well, they do. Realtime sysems need high quality, stable clock sources.