Using RTOS for a PIC a good idea ??

[arunb]

Hi,

Is there any advantage to using a RTOS for 18F related projects ??

My project uses a 18F4620 for the following tasks.....

1. RS 485 communications to independently controlled motor drive units, communication has checksum generation, retries in case of comm. failures. RS485 is single master based..

2. Keyboard management, the keyboard itself is connected to a MCP23016, the PIC communicates using I2C.

3. Controlling a 20x4 LCD, the LCD is connected to another MCP23016 (on the same bus as the keyboard).

4. microSD card handling (does not use FAT).


I have managed to get the system working without using a RTOS. But I was thinking if an RTOS could have been beneficial.

If so what could be the benefits???

thanks
arunb

[asmboy]

if you are already controlling time based events for serial service , and event scheduling etc with system timer(s) w/ or w/o INTS - you probably don't need RTOS

if you are using anything BUT the shortest delay_??() fucntions , and NOT using INTS for critical features , you probably should consider using RTOS.

all this comes from the principle that if your program is working well NOW, don't fix it.

[arunb]

Thanks for the reply..

I am using timers, and a system of managing tasks and is working excellently.

But I was just curious...

thanks
arunb