Data management for Sensor Data Fusion
Sensor data fusion for mission-critical systems demands a deterministic database.
eXtremeDB/rt for Sensor Data Fusion
Hard real-time embedded systems are growing increasingly complex, often requiring sophisticated sensor data fusion, which implies the centralized management of data. This trend is being borne out in mission-critical systems found in aerospace and defense, industrial control, robotics, medical devices, autonomous air, ground, sea surface and subsea, space vehicles, transportation, power distribution/energy management systems and more. Supervisory control and data acquisition, or SCADA, systems are everywhere.
Until now, developers either had to invent their own solution for SCADA database transaction deadline management, integrate a non-real-time embedded database and hope it would be good enough, or utilize a non-real-time database and keep it out of the time-critical path because a conventional database system’s transaction has no time constraint, so a database transaction could commit but cause the task to exceed the CPU budget and be interrupted, causing the real-time system and the database to be temporally incoherent.
Learn more about Asymmetric MultiProcessing (AMP) with eXtremeDB.
Developers that, up to now, have had no alternative to a ‘roll your own’ solution to data management for sensor data fusion in real-time systems should be interested in the reliability and faster time-to-market offered by this new kind of database system.
eXtremeDB/rt works with all major RTOS to facilitate transaction deadline enforcement. Developers are given a choice of real-time database transaction managers that can be selected based on the target systems’ operational pattern. Traditionally, database systems strive to ensure ‘internal’ consistency (the application of a transaction moves the database from one consistent state to new consistent state). In addition to internal consistency, eXtremeDB/rt also supports real-time embedded systems’ requirement for external/temporal consistency.
A reliable database system built with safety in mind
eXtremeDB/rt is the first commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) embedded database system to work with a RTOS to enforce database transaction deadlines, making it uniquely suitable for embedded systems with hard real-time constraints, and the only commercially supported deterministic database.
Like conventional eXtremeDB, it provides critical data management features, including transactions, concurrent access and a high-level data definition language. As an in-memory database system (IMDS), eXtremeDB/rt eliminates indeterminant file I/O, and streamlines processing by foregoing caching logic. This enables it to deliver the highest level of real-time responsiveness with a minimal code size. eXtremeDB/rt also provides sophisticated development capabilities, such as support for varied data and query types, native APIs, and a powerful debugging environment that includes a self-diagnostic API to catch costly defects before they slip into production code.
Learn about the eXtremeDB/rt transaction scheduling policies, and preemption rules
eXtremeDB/rt comes with source code and a highly configurable database kernel
eXtremeDB/rt is the only commercially offered off-the-shelf database management system that guarantees deterministic ACID real-time transactions
Offering broad support for all major RTOS
No restrictions on execution patterns means RTOS time slices can be used accurately and effectively to store and retrieve applications’ data.
Watch “Database System Requirements to Achieve Level 3+ Autonomous Driving” presented by McObject at the EETimes Advanced Automotive Tech Forum, or contact us to discuss your project if you need a database for ADAS.
Image below from a hydrogen power generation/distribution system from “Shared Data in Asymmetric Multiprocessing Configurations” presented by McObject CEO Steven Graves at Embedded World 2023.
In the News
“The Data in Hard Real-time SCADA Systems Lets Companies Do More with Less” Automation.com August 11, 2023
Tailored to your needs
The nature of eXtremeDB/rt’s tight integration with the RTOS and target hardware requires that each evaluation package be assembled uniquely for your needs. Please contact us so that we can gather information on your RTOS vendor, version, target hardware, tool chain, and so on.
View the ever-expanding list of supported real-time operating systems.
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Desktop distributions
Free desktop evaluation packages of eXtremeDB/rt for Linux, MacOS and Windows platforms are available for immediate no-hassle download. Learn more about the programming interface and various real-time and non-real-time features of eXtremeDB/rt. After you have tried the desktop version, we hope you’ll contact us for a free trial of eXtremeDB/rt tailored to the needs of your RTOS.
You are also welcome to try eXtremeDB/rt running in the FreeRTOS Linux/POSIX simulator.
News and articles about real-time database management.
On Real-time Databases. Q&A with Andrei Gorine and Steve Graves ODBMS.com October 9, 2023
Shared Data in Asymmetric Multiprocessing (AMP) Configurations ODBMS.com August 23, 2023
"The Data in Hard Real-time SCADA Systems Lets Companies Do More with Less" Automation.com August 11, 2023
"Latest embedded DBMS supports asymmetric multiprocessing systems" Embedded.com, May 24, 2023.
"2023 Industry Trends: Companies in the energy industry will find ways to harness the wealth of their data as they update systems." Energy Central, February 27, 2023.
"Real-Time Database Systems Aren't Actually Real-Time. Unless They Are." ElectronicDesign.com, January 31, 2023
"Dogmatic views on safe languages used for mission- and safety-critical applications" Embedded.com, December 20, 2022
"Soft v Hard Real-time Systems" Embedded Computing, November 4, 2022
"McObject Announces Availability of eXtremeDB/rt for Renesas Electronics’ Synergy™ MCUs" Electronic Engineering Journal, July 7, 2022
“McObject Announces Availability of eXtremeDB/rt for QNX Neutrino RTOS” COTS Picks, July 7, 2022
"What is and what isn’t a hard real-time database system?" DB-Engines.com, May 31, 2022
McObject Announces Availability of eXtremeDB/rt for Green Hills Software’s INTEGRITY RTOS" Embedded Computing Design, April 21, 2022
"Embedded Databases in Real-Time Systems" CircuitCellar.com, March 14, 2022
"McObject and Siemens Embedded Announce Immediate Availability of eXtremeDB/rt for Nucleus RTOS" ODBMS.org, February 23, 2022
"Embedded Executive: Steve Graves, President and CEO, McObject" EmbeddedComputing.com, January, 2022 An interview reviewing key concepts in real-time computing.
"Why your mission-critical application needs a real-time database management system" Logic.nl January 4, 2022
"McObject Announces Availability of eXtremeDB/rt for Microsoft Azure RTOS ThreadX" Electronic Engineering Journal November 11, 2021
"McObject Collaborates with Wind River to Deliver the First-Ever Deterministic Database Systems for VxWorks-based Real-time Embedded Systems" COTS Journal, October, 2021 Please find us on page 8.
"Databases in Hard Real Time" McObject Launches True Real-Time Deterministic Database for embOS Real-time Operating System Applications, Wilmott.com, October 15, 2021
"On eXtremeDB/rt. Q&A with Steven Graves, Real-time analytics has nothing to do with real-time systems." By Roberto Zicari ODBMS.org, October 7, 2021.
"Keeping A Mission-Critical Deterministic DBMS On Time" by McObject CTO Andrei Gorine EmbeddedComputing.com, September 20, 2021
"Real time tasks need real time data" Read the Wind River blog, September 7, 2021
We're grateful for the partnerships we have with industry leaders, and invite you to read what they say about eXtremeDB/rt in our joint press releases.
Azure RTOS ThreadX
“Managing data with a hard real-time requirement is a challenge for developers,” comments Tony Shakib, Partner General Manager, Microsoft Azure IoT. “Developers have had to use current solutions that may not meet time constraints or write their own database system. eXtremeDB/rt brings a solution to Microsoft Azure developers that eliminates this trade off.”
Read the joint press release.
DDC-I’s Deos
“eXtremeDB/rt provides an excellent option for developers of resource-constrained, mission-critical embedded systems who require a compact, real-time embedded database,” said Greg Rose, vice president of marketing and product management at DDC-I. “We look forward to working with McObject to offer eXtremeDB/rt to embedded developers utilizing our Deos real-time operating system.”
Read the joint press release.
embOS from SEGGER
SEGGER’s CEO, Ivo Geilenbruegge, had this to say: “We are excited that McObject has created a first-of-its-kind real-time database system to complement our embOS RTOS and extend support for hard real-time systems to include database operations. Real-time systems are following the trend of embedded systems in that they are being called upon to manage more (and more complex) data."
Read the joint press release.
FreeRTOS
Richard Barry, FreeRTOS founder, said “It is good to have another high-quality option for FreeRTOS users, this time providing a real-time deterministic database which can, as just one example, fulfill a crucial role in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT): data collection, aggregation, and distribution in oil rig blow-out prevention (BOP) systems. A BOP is a specialized device equipped with sensors to detect a “kick” and actuate valves to prevent a catastrophic blowout.” Richard continued, “The need to detect and respond within deadlines is emblematic of real-time industrial systems.”
Read the press release.
INTEGRITY from Green Hills Software
Joe Fabbre, Global Technology Director for Green Hills had this to say: “McObject has created a unique real-time database that complements our INTEGRITY RTOS and extends hard real-time support to database operations. Advanced applications in real-time systems are being called upon to manage more (and more complex) data. eXtremeDB/rt gives developers of these systems an off the shelf solution for real-time data management.”
Read the joint press release.
LynxOS
“We were delighted to work with McObject to bring eXtremeDB/rt to the LynxOS partner ecosystem. Our companies share the vision that real-time systems are becoming more sophisticated and consequently have to manage more complex data. eXtremeDB/rt fills a critical gap in the technology stack,” said Pavan Singh, VP of product management, Lynx Software Technologies.
Read the joint press release.
QNX Neutrino RTOS
“Real-time performance can benefit embedded software developers in many market segments including autonomous systems, industrial control, robotics and medical devices,” said Romain Saha, Strategic Alliances Director at BlackBerry QNX: “McObject builds upon many years of QNX support by bringing eXtremeDB/rt to the latest version of the QNX Software Development Platform.”
Read the joint press release.
SIEMENS Nucleus RTOS
“McObject’s eXtremeDB/rt allows Nucleus customers to have a truly embedded database solution that allows them to meet the determinism they require in a commercial-off-the-shelf solution.” said Jeff Hancock, Siemens Embedded Senior Product Manager. “eXtremeDB/rt helps Nucleus customers manage ever-growing data requirements.”
Read the joint press release.
WindRiver VxWorks
“Through our work with McObject, we’re helping customers modernize and accelerate the delivery of reliable intelligent systems that demand real-time requirements,” said Michel Chabroux, Senior Director, Product Management, Wind River. “We look forward to building on our proven track record of success with McObject to help advance the next generation of cloud-connected intelligent systems with increasingly challenging edge compute needs.”
Read the joint press release.
eXtremeDB for Asymmetric MultiProcessing (AMP)
One CPU architecture for real-time and another for analytics.
- Ideal for Sensor Data Fusion
- Single database
- Populated by the real-time side
- Queried for AI/ML by the analytics side.
More suitable than Symmetric MultiProcessing (SMP).
Review the white paper,
Shared Data in Asymmetric Multiprocessing (AMP) Configurations.
eXtremeDB for HPC
- Columnar and row-oriented storage to optimize time series data
- A library of more than 150 built-in functions
- Sharding for elastic scalability
- Distributed query processing
eXtremeDB Embedded
- ACID-compliant transactions
- Type-safe API
- Transaction logging
- Tiny footprint
- High availability options
- Bidirectional Replication
- Mitigates loss of data due to connectivity issues
- Multi-tier replication (e.g. edge-to-gateway-to-gateway-to-cloud)
- Compression to maximize limited bandwidth networks
eXtremeDB/rt
- Deterministic ACID-compliant transactions
- Adaptable real-time transaction managers
- No restrictions on execution patterns
- A highly configurable database kernel
- Support for all major commercial RTOS
- Ideal for ADAS or SCADA