QNX

QNX (pronounced Q.N.X. or Quiu-nex) is a POSIX-compliant Unix-like real-time operating system developed by QNX Software Systems, a Canadian company that was acquired by by BlackBerry in April 2010, thus becoming a subsidiary of the latter. It is mainly developed for use in embedded systems, and is available for x86, MIPS, PowerPC, SH4 architectures (including the Dreamcast game console with a very limited version), ARM, StrongARM, xScale, and BlackBerry Playbook. QNX is based on a microkernel kernel architecture that provides advanced memory stability features protected against device, application, etc. failures.

Photon or Photon microGUI is the windowing system (server and client) of QNX, although an X Window version also works. Regarding the implementations to work the graphical interface, QNX is compatible with pipelines to combine several technologies in the same image. You can work with OpenGL, HTML5, and Qt 5 on the same screen.

Real-time operating systems are interesting for situations where a continuous taking of, for example, data samples is absolutely necessary. Based on this interest, there are several projects to create real-time versions of other systems.

QNX variants

The QNX microkernel, called Neutrino, is implemented in 4 variants that the company develops and markets:

• QNX Neutrino RTOS

This version is the most complete and robust designed to meet the requirements of embedded systems. It is a real microkernel of modular architecture.

• QNX OS for Safety

It is designed to comply with ISO 26262 standards in ASIL D and IEC 61508 standards in SIL3. It provides a system designed on a secure basis, to be implemented in critical systems such as automobiles, trains and industrial automation.

• QNX OS for Medical

Complies with IEC 62304 standards and is designed to reduce effort in the development of medical devices that require regulatory approvals.

• QNX OS for Security

It is a full-featured RTOS, certified in ISO/IEC 15408 EAL 4+.