RTOS (Real-Time Operating System)
A Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) is a specialized, lightweight operating system designed to manage embedded systems by executing tasks within strict, predetermined time constraints (deadlines).
Unlike general-purpose operating systems (Windows/Linux), an RTOS focuses on predictability and determinism, ensuring critical events are processed immediately or at exact times, rather than maximizing user throughput.
Some MCUs (like ESP32) can run:
FreeRTOS
FreeRTOS is a popular, open-source Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) kernel designed specifically for embedded devices and microcontrollers. It enables reliable, deterministic multitasking on resource-constrained hardware by managing task scheduling, timing, and communication, making it highly used in IoT, automotive, and industrial applications.