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ability within Boot & Execute, which enables
digital signature of applications all the way
from the boot-loader to the VxWorks image to
the applications, meaning only authorized im-
ages will be loaded or signature-matching mod-
ules will run. Also as part of Operation, cus-
tomers can apply user management processes
based on their authorized user-access policies.
Safety is a prime requirement in many embed-
ded systems, and safety standards are well es-
tablished in markets such as aerospace, medical
and industrial, but are also being applied via
new regulations in other markets. As standards
evolve, it needs to be easier for customers to
obtain mandatory safety and security certifi-
cations for end products. VxWorks 7 integrates
a time partitioning scheduler as part of the
core OS, in conjunction with real-time proces-
sors (RTP), to deliver time, space and resource
partitioning and enable customers to run dif-
ferent criticality-level applications side-by-side,
thereby significantly reducing certification
costs in safety-critical applications. For example,
makers of medical devices or industrial con-
trollers can go through the IEC 61508 certifi-
cation process more quickly with the aid of
the VxWorks 7 scheduler and RTPs – in essence,
every line of code has a cost in the certification
world. This new solution essentially bridges
the gap between a non-safety RTOS and one
such as the VxWorks 653 platform for ARINC
653 certification for avionics applications.
New functionality available in VxWorks 7
includes greater support for development of
user interfaces, new connectivity and more
storage options. The user interface is becoming
Figure 4. Time, space and resource partitioning
