Abstract: An adaptive partition scheduler is a priority-based scheduler that also provides execution time guarantees (fair-share). Execution time guarantees apply to threads or groups of threads when the system is overloaded. When the system is not overloaded, threads are scheduled based strictly on priority, maintaining strict real-time behavior. Even when overloaded, the scheduler provides real-time guarantees to a set of critical threads, as specified by the system architect.

Abstract: A system is set forth that includes a processor, one or more memory storage units, and software code stored in the one or more memory storage units. The software code is executable by the processor to generate a plurality of adaptive partitions that are each associated with one or more process threads. Each of the plurality of adaptive partitions has a corresponding processor time budget. One or more of the process threads are designated as critical threads. Each adaptive partition associated with a critical thread is assigned a corresponding critical time budget. The software code also includes a scheduling system that is executable by the processor for selectively allocating the processor to run the process threads based, at least in part, on the processor time budgets of the respective adaptive partitions.

Abstract: An asynchronous message passing mechanism that allows for multiple messages to be batched for delivery between processes, while allowing for full memory protection during data transfers and a lockless mechanism for speeding up queue operation and queuing and delivering messages simultaneously.

Abstract: An operating system architecture and method which provides for transparent inheritance of memory management policies in data processing systems and enhanced memory management is disclosed. The operating system provides for a special “debug” process flag to be associated with debug and device management processes. When a source process transmits a message to a destination process, the operating system determines whether the source process is a debug process (i.e., whether the source process contains a debug process flag indicator associated therewith). If the source process is a debug process, a debug process flag indicator is also associated with the destination process. The operating system also reserves a portion of the device's memory (a reserve memory pool) which is only allocated to special “debug” process when the non-reserved pool of memory is depleted.