In the field of embedded system development, real-time operating systems (RTOS) are crucial for ensuring that devices respond to events in a timely manner. With the rapid development of the Internet of Things and edge computing, developers need an efficient RTOS that meets modern demands. DistortOS, as an open-source, object-oriented C++ real-time operating system, promises to provide strong support for embedded development. This article introduces the features of DistortOS, the build process, and its advantages in embedded development.

Overview of DistortOS
DistortOS is a real-time operating system designed specifically for microcontrollers, utilizing the object-oriented features of C++ to provide a flexible and efficient development environment. Its design goal is to deliver reliability and performance for embedded applications even in resource-constrained environments. The main features of DistortOS include:
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• Object-Oriented: The use of C++ not only enhances the readability and maintainability of the code but also allows developers to use more advanced programming paradigms. -
• Modular Architecture: DistortOS organizes code in a modular way, making functionality expansion and maintenance easier. -
• Multi-Platform Support: Supports various microcontrollers and development boards, ensuring that applications can be flexibly deployed on different hardware platforms.
Steps to Build DistortOS
To use DistortOS in your embedded projects, you need to follow these steps to build it:
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1. Environment Setup: Ensure that your development environment has CMake (version 3.8 or higher), Ninja build tools, and the arm-none-eabi toolchain (GCC version 10 or higher) installed. -
2. Download Source Code: You can download the source code of DistortOS from the GitHub page or clone the repository using Git: git clone https://github.com/DISTORTEC/distortos
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3. Create Build Directory: Create a new build folder in the root directory of the project, for example: mkdir output cd output
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4. Configure Build: Configure with CMake, selecting the specific target hardware platform: cmake .. -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=../source/board/ST_STM32F4DISCOVERY/Toolchain-ST_STM32F4DISCOVERY.cmake -GNinja
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5. Execute Build: Compile using the Ninja tool: ninja
By following these steps, you will successfully build DistortOS and be ready for further embedded development.
Generate Development Board Configuration
DistortOS also provides a powerful board generator that can automatically generate the required board configuration based on hardware description files. To use this feature, you need Python and the Jinja2 template engine.
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1. Prepare Generation Environment: Ensure that your system has Python 3.6 or higher, as well as the Jinja2 and ruamel.yaml libraries installed. Use the following command to install: pip install jinja2 ruamel.yaml
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2. Prepare YAML File: You need to prepare a YAML file to describe the hardware structure. For example, you can look at the description file for the STM32F4DISCOVERY development board. -
3. Run Generator: Use the generator script to create the board configuration file: python path/to/distortos/scripts/generateBoard.py path/to/board.yaml
Through these steps, DistortOS will generate the corresponding source files, header files, and CMake configuration files based on the description, greatly simplifying the development process.
Applications in Embedded Development
DistortOS’s object-oriented design and strong scheduling capabilities make it an ideal choice for various embedded applications. Whether in industrial automation, smart homes, or wearable devices, DistortOS can provide excellent response speed and efficient resource management. By supporting multiple hardware platforms, developers can quickly deploy and port applications on different microcontrollers.
Additionally, DistortOS’s documentation and community support allow developers to quickly find solutions when encountering problems, thus improving development efficiency and shortening time-to-market.
Conclusion
As an open-source real-time operating system based on C++, DistortOS brings new possibilities to embedded development with its modular architecture and object-oriented features. Whether you are developing IoT devices or building complex embedded systems, DistortOS can provide powerful and flexible support for your projects.
Project Address:https://github.com/DISTORTEC/distortos