Single-stack real-time operating system for embedded systems

A computerized method of real time operating system (RTOS) operation of a computer processor, the method comprising:

• performing, in the computer processor, a first plurality of tasks including a first task and a second task, wherein not all of the first plurality of tasks run at the same priority, wherein the first plurality of tasks share and use only a single stack;
• providing a single stack;
• using and sharing the single stack by all of the first plurality of tasks;
• automatically managing a plurality of continuation points, wherein the plurality of continuation points includes a first continuation point and a second continuation point;
• creating the first continuation point in the first task and yielding control to a task scheduler;
• selectively switching control to a highest-priority one of the first plurality of tasks using the task scheduler, wherein the second task is the highest-priority one of the first plurality of tasks;
• switching control back to the first task at the first continuation point at a later time;
• and
• executing a first blocking function within the first task such that the task scheduler switches to the second task and executing a second blocking function in the second task before continuing the first task after the first blocking function has executed.

A computer-readable medium having instructions embedded thereon, wherein the instructions, when performed on a computer processor, execute a method of real time operating system (RTOS) operation, the method comprising:

• performing, in the computer processor, a first plurality of tasks including a first task and a second task, wherein not all of the first plurality of tasks run at the same priority, wherein the first plurality of tasks share and use only a single stack;
• providing a single stack;
• using and sharing the single stack by all of the first plurality of tasks;
• automatically managing a plurality of continuation points, wherein the plurality of continuation points includes a first continuation point and a second continuation point;
• creating the first continuation point in the first task and yielding control to a task scheduler;
• selectively switching control to a highest-priority one of the first plurality of tasks using the task scheduler, wherein the second task is the highest-priority one of the first plurality of tasks;
• switching control back to the first task at the first continuation point at a later time;
• and
• executing a first blocking function within the first task such that the task scheduler switches to the second task and executing a second blocking function in the second task before continuing the first task after the first blocking function has executed.

A computing apparatus having a real time operating system (RTOS), the apparatus comprising:

• means for performing, in the computing apparatus, a first plurality of tasks including a first task and a second task, wherein not all of the first plurality of tasks run at the same priority, wherein the first plurality of tasks share and use only a single stack;
• a task scheduler;
• a single stack;
• means for using and sharing the single stack by all of the first plurality of tasks;
• means for automatically managing a plurality of continuation points, wherein the plurality of continuation points includes a first continuation point and a second continuation point;
• means for creating the first continuation point in the first task and for yielding control to the task scheduler;
• means for selectively switching control to a highest-priority one of the first plurality of tasks using the task scheduler, wherein the second task is the highest-priority one of the first plurality of tasks;
• means for switching control back to the first task at the first continuation point at a later time;
• and
• means for executing a first blocking function within the first task such that the task scheduler switches to the second task and executing a second blocking function in the second task before the first task is continued after the first blocking function has executed.