TÜBİTAK GIS (Realtime Operating System)

TÜBİTAK Real-Time Operating System (GIS) is a national operating system developed and announced in 2012 by TÜBİTAK BİLGEM. Designed for use in safety-critical systems, GIS aims to reduce foreign dependency in critical components within defense industries, automotive, aviation, and aerospace sectors.

An operating system (OS) is a software suite that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services for various application software. Operating systems are not only installed on computers, video game consoles, mobile phones, and web servers but can also be embedded in cars, home appliances, and even wristwatches. The Real-Time Operating System is fundamentally an OS as well. Unlike everyday operating systems, programs running on RTOS are real-time. A real-time OS ensures that applications complete their tasks within a predefined timeframe and transfer processor usage to another predetermined application. This makes RTOS more deterministic compared to desktop operating systems, preventing system or software failures caused by errors in one application from affecting others.

GIS provides enhanced control over multiple concurrently running applications based on their priority levels. One of its key features is its consistency in completing tasks within a predictable timeframe. GIS was developed for use in safety-critical systems, both domestically and internationally, to prevent harm such as loss of life, injuries, product damage, or environmental destruction caused by faulty electronic components or software.

Usage Areas and GIS Bootloader logs (Source: TÜBİTAK)

Project Objectives

The primary objectives of the GIS project are:

• Eliminating foreign dependency in safety-critical system projects.
• Providing a flexible, scalable, and sustainable embedded software development platform to rapidly meet the needs of domestic stakeholders.
• Creating a system suitable for civilian embedded applications through reducible features.
• Preventing the exposure of critical data in classified projects.
• Enabling full nationalization in embedded platforms.
• Supporting internationally competitive industries through reduced costs.
• Contributing to the emergence of new SMEs.

GIS demonstrates interface compatibility with single-board computers running different operating systems and has proven compliance with standards. This facilitates smooth transitions from other OS platforms to GIS.

Technical Features

GIS was developed in compliance with DO-178B Level-A processes. The OS can operate in two modes:

1. ARINC-653 Mode: For safety-critical application interfaces.
2. POSIX Mode: Allows selection of PSE-51/52/53 compliance levels.

The system is modularly designed to run on various microprocessor families and single-board computers. Its hardware support is expandable through ASP (Architecture Support Package) and BSP (Board Support Package) layers.

Key Technical Features

• ARINC 653, POSIX, and multicore processor architecture support.
• DO-178B Certification.
• FACE and C++ compatibility.
• PowerPC, Intel, ARM, and RiscV support.

Features (Source: TÜBİTAK)

Development Environment

Development activities for GIS—such as selecting operation modes, configuration, application development, debugging, event analysis, and simulation—are conducted via an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) built on the Eclipse platform.

Primary Applications

GIS is used in:

• Unmanned aerial vehicles
• Helicopters
• Ships
• Nuclear reactors
• Aircraft
• Weapon systems
• Automotive systems