Advantages

• The QNX® Neutrino® RTOS is used in demanding applications where failure is not an option. This exceptional standard is built on decades of real-world experience and learning.

  High Reliability, Low Risk

  Since 1980, manufacturers have relied on BlackBerry QNX technology to power their mission-critical applications—from medical instruments and internet routers to telematics devices, generators, 911 call centers, process control applications, high-speed railways, and air traffic control systems.

  Whether small or large, simple or distributed, these systems have an unparalleled reputation for operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Time-tested and field-proven, the QNX Neutrino RTOS sets the industry standard for reliability, fault tolerance, and scalability.

   

   

  Advanced Security Mechanisms

  The QNX Neutrino RTOS adopts a comprehensive, multi-level policy-driven security model, leveraging BlackBerry’s legendary security technologies and expertise.

  Fine-grained privilege control, 256-bit AES-encrypted file systems, Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), heap and stack protection, rootless execution, and Mandatory Access Control (MAC) provide unparalleled security for your system.

  Advanced, layered security mechanisms built directly into the operating system and kernel enable you to build systems that deliver optimal security measures, with capabilities including:

  • Fine-grained control over system privilege levels
    Modern, layered security architecture
    Sandboxing
    Integrity measurement
    Secure boot
    Encrypted and self-verifying file systems
    Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
    Heap, stack, and memory protection (including ASLR)
    Rootless execution
    Anomaly detection

  All of these result in a system with a reduced attack surface.

   

  Self-Healing Systems

  The combination of BlackBerry QNX’s fault-isolated microkernel architecture and the QNX High Availability Manager enables it to deliver systems with unparalleled uptime and availability.

  The QNX Neutrino RTOS provides a level of fault containment and recovery that is unmatched by other commercial RTOSes. Its microkernel architecture allows every driver, protocol stack, file system, and application to run outside the kernel, within memory-protected user space. Virtually any component can fail and be automatically restarted without impacting other components or the kernel.

   

  Scalability and Standards Compliance

  The same RTOS, tools, APIs, and source code are used to develop and implement standards-compliant systems that meet the diverse requirements of small and large, single-processor and multi-processor systems.

  The QNX Neutrino RTOS is designed to comply with de facto industry standards as well as POSIX 1003.1—and is certified to the POSIX PSE52 profile as specified by IEEE 1003.13-2003.

   

  Guaranteed System Resources

  Real-time scheduling ensures that threads run when required, and BlackBerry QNX’s patented Adaptive Partitioning guarantees that program threads always have sufficient CPU time access.

  Under normal operating conditions, BlackBerry QNX Adaptive Partitioning technology allows applications to use all available CPU cycles to maximize CPU and system efficiency. However, in cases of overload, it enforces hard resource guarantees to ensure all applications receive their budgeted share of resources.

   

  Extensive Hardware-Optimized Board Support Packages

  The QNX Neutrino RTOS offers hardware-optimized support packages for the latest circuit boards—those that are critical to you; the ones you are developing today.

  QNX Neutrino device drivers are implemented using a resource manager framework. Unlike traditional drivers, they run in memory-protected user space and simplify driver development for custom hardware. User-level drivers are easier to develop and debug; they do not require kernel rebuilds to incorporate new features, nor are they kernel-version sensitive. This implementation reduces the time and effort spent on development, debugging, and certification.

   

  GPU-Accelerated Graphics Support

  The QNX Neutrino RTOS includes optimized support for a wide range of popular GPUs, including those from Imagination, VeriSilicon, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and Intel. The solution incorporates a graphics composition windowing system (Screen) with full GPU hardware acceleration, enabling the integration of multiple GUIs into a single scene.

   

  Efficient Product Development

  The QNX Neutrino RTOS enables fast and efficient product development in multiple ways:

  • The microkernel architecture facilitates faster identification and resolution of bugs; by moving development out of the kernel and into user space, secure and rapid component upgrades can be achieved without costly downtime or system disruptions.
  • A single operating system and set of binaries can target single-processor devices, SMP systems, or processor clusters.
  • Open-source UNIX, Linux, and other code can be ported with simple recompilation, as the QNX Neutrino is certified to the POSIX PSE52 profile specified by IEEE 1003.13-2003.
  • Standard POSIX APIs not only allow developers to easily reuse application code but also provide a familiar development environment.
  • Development teams can reuse code and reduce their verification efforts, thanks to field-tested binaries—drivers, applications, custom OS services—that can be implemented across the entire product line.
  • Out-of-the-box support for a variety of network protocols and flash file systems, along with built-in high-availability solutions, reduces overall development effort.