Semaphores and Real-Time Operation to Optimize the Efficiency of Electronic Processes Controlled via Internet

The increasing complexity of today’s electronic systems requires efficient information exchange between their components. This is often achieved using shared memory locations, which in SoC devices, microcontrollers and other hardware components are called registers. This paper demonstrates how software mechanisms called semaphores can efficiently accomplish this information exchange. Long distance communication between electronic systems is also addressed, and a complex solution for transferring information over the Internet using state-of-the-art technologies is presented. In addition, since many critical applications require real-time functionality, this study explains both theoretically and practically the advantages of using a real-time operating system. For a better understanding of the concepts presented, the information in the article is validated by creating from scratch a physical device having a pet feeder functionality, designing its circuitry, software architecture and physical structure.