by Adrian Hoban, Intel Corporation
There is a huge variety of complex challenges that face product developers as they strive to create new systems that are faster, more power efficient and more innovative. Some embedded developers have the additional challenge of delivering a product that also complies with real-time, deterministic time constraints. For the embedded market, Intel develops a comprehensive portfolio of highly advanced processors. These processors use the latest microarchitectural developments and are implemented on leading-edge process technology.

This article focuses on some of the key design considerations associated with leveraging Intel’s advanced features in real-time embedded solutions. It defines a real-time system and distinguishes between “soft” and “hard” real- time systems. It also introduces a number of the advanced features in Intel® architecture processors. For each feature, a subsection describes real-time considerations and recommendations that a system designer may need to consider.

The article concludes that embedded Intel architecture processors can be used effectively in embedded products that require real-time characteristics and notes the settings that real-time developers should be aware of to add determinism to their products.

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