A configurable micro network kernel dedicated to real-time distributed embedded network sensor: telemedicine applications

The real-time embedded basic software including real-time kernel and Internet standard communication protocols (TCP/IP, PPP) is a key element to implement distributed embedded intelligent network sensors 'DEINS'. DEINS is a need of modem life and its application fields are diverse: telemedicine, remote home automation, distributed embedded process control etc. In fact, distributed embedded intelligent sensor is mass production, thus it must be cheap to realize and power efficient. However performance requirements as well as cost, power-consumption and real-time constraints may be satisfied by adequately tuning hardware and software. This article describes a configurable real-time micro network kernel 'C/spl mu/NEK' that combines tightly a super-small real-time micro kernel with a modular embedded Internet standard communication protocol such as TCP/IP stack and PPP. The defined system is implemented on a Spectrum EVM board based on TMS320C5410 and is used to implement a prototype of a DEINS dedicated to remote heart arythmia detection.