T-Kernel
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| Developer | T-Engine |
|---|---|
| OS family | RTOS |
| Working state | Current |
| Initial release | 2002 |
| Latest release | 2.01.01 / October 14, 2011 |
| Marketing target | Embedded systems |
| Platforms | ARM, MIPS, x86, PowerPC |
| License | T-License |
| Official website | www |
T-Kernel is an open sourcereal-time operating system designed for 32-bit microcontrollers. It is standardized by the T-Engine Forum, which distributes it under a "T-License" license agreement. There is also a corresponding μT-Kernel implementation designed for embedded systems with 16-bit or 8-bit microcontrollers.
In 1984 Prof. Ken Sakamura started the TRON project at the University of Tokyo, with the goal of designing an open real-time operating system (RTOS) kernel. The TRON framework defines a complete architecture for the different computing units. ITRON is the most popular TRON architecture. ITRON specification promotion was done by the various companies which sell the commercial implementations. T-Kernel is the name of the specification and at the same time a single implementation based on the authorized source code available from the T-Engine Forum for free under T-License. T-Engine is arguably the most advanced ubiquitous computing platform in the world.
In 1989, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., now known as Panasonic Corporation, introduced a TRON PC. This personal computer had an 80286 Intel chip of 8 MHz and only 2 MB of memory, but it could display moving videos. Also, it had a dual-booting system that could run both the TRON OS and DOS. When the Japanese government announced it would use the TRON PC in Japanese schools, the United States government objected. It threatened the move with sanctions. The Japanese, dependent on the U.S. export market, dropped the plan.
But ITRON survived, and today is used in many devices, household appliances, automobile electronics, robots, and even satellites. ITRON is also used in factory automation systems in China. Embedded system developers claim that ITRON is the number one OS for embedded chips in both Japan and the United States.
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