Real-time systems

Real-time systems

Computer systems in which the computer is required to perform its tasks within the time restraints of some process or simultaneously with the system it is assisting. Usually the computer must operate faster than the system assisted in order to be ready to intervene appropriately.

Real-time computer systems and applications span a number of different types.

In real-time control and real-time process control the computer is required to process systems data (inputs) from sensors for the purpose of monitoring and computing system control parameters (outputs) required for the correct operation of a system or process. The type of monitoring and control functions provided by the computer for subsystem units ranges over a wide variety of tasks, such as turn-on and turn-off signals to switches; feedback signals to controllers (such as motors, servos, and potentiometers) to provide adjustments or corrections; steering signals; alarms; monitoring, evaluation, supervision, and management calculations; error detection, and out-of-tolerance and critical parameter detection operations; and processing of displays and outputs.

In real-time assistance the computer is required to do its work fast enough to keep up with a person interacting with it (usually at a computer terminal device of some sort, for example, a screen and keyboard). The computer supports the person or persons interacting with it and provides access, retrieval, and storage functions, usually through some sort of database management system, as well as data processing and computational power. System access allows the individual to intervene in the system's operation. The real-time computer also often provides monitoring or display information, or both. See Multiaccess computer

In real-time robotics the computer is a part of a robotic or self-contained machine. Often the computer is embedded in the machine, which then becomes a smart machine. If the smart machine also has access to, or has embedded within it, artificial intelligence functions (for example, a knowledge base and knowledge processing in an expert system fashion), it becomes an intelligent machine. See Computer, Digital computer, Embedded systems, Expert systems, Robotics