Runtime

A runtime describes the length of time and the program life phase in which a program actively executes instructions on a computer. At its core, a runtime system enables this execution by providing the necessary software and libraries. Runtime Systems operate as crucial sub-systems within an Operating System, managing the execution of programs by handling memory allocation, type safety, and error detection. They create an abstraction layer over the OS, ensuring smooth interaction between application code and hardware. 

In addition to the execution of classic computer programs, runtime systems are also essential for automated industrial environments because they ensure that the software controlling machinery and processes operates in real-time and meets stringent performance requirements. In this context, these systems handle the execution of complex tasks, including data processing, device control, and communication among various components of an industrial system. 

Industrial runtimes are tightly integrated with industrial communication systems to manage data exchange between different components of an automation system. These systems support a range of communication protocols and network configurations, including fieldbus, industrial Ethernet and wireless networks, to ensure seamless connectivity and interoperability. 

Modern industrial runtime systems are increasingly incorporating cloud technologies that enable more scalable and flexible data management and processing. This integration in the sense of Industry 4.0 supports the use of local manufacturing clouds, where devices connect directly to cloud-based systems to improve data analysis and operational efficiency. 

Due to the special requirements of data processing in the sense of industrial communication, the characteristics of industrial runtime systems differ from those of classic runtime systems: 

Predictability and Determinism

Industrial runtimes are designed to ensure predictability and determinism in their execution. This means that the system can guarantee a specific response time for a given task, which is crucial in industrial automation where timely responses are critical. 

Real-Time Operation

Industrial runtime systems are designed to operate in real-time, ensuring that tasks are executed within a strict time frame. This is achieved using real-time operating systems that prioritize tasks based on their urgency and deadlines. 

Memory Management

They help to manage memory efficiently to ensure that the system has sufficient resources to execute tasks. This includes memory allocation, deallocation, and garbage collection. 

Process Threading

They support multithreading, which allows multiple tasks to be executed concurrently. This improves system performance and responsiveness by utilizing available CPU resources more effectively. 

Communication Support

They support various communication protocols and network configurations, including fieldbuses, real-time Ethernet, and IIoT-Technologies. This enables seamless data exchange across different components of an automation system. 

Scalability and Flexibility

They are designed to be scalable and flexible, allowing them to accommodate varying operational demands and integration with new technologies. This adaptability is crucial for industries aiming to leverage advancements in IoT and smart manufacturing. 

Low Intrusiveness

They are designed to be low-intrusive, ensuring that monitoring and debugging operations do not significantly impact system performance or reliability. This is achieved using shared memory for transporting monitoring data and avoiding system calls. 

Support for Multiple Programming Languages

Industrial runtime systems often support multiple programming languages to cater to different engineering needs and legacy systems. 

Real-Time Monitoring

Industrial runtime systems support real-time monitoring, which enables the observation of system behavior online without unpredictably disturbing real-time properties. This is crucial for identifying and addressing potential issues before they impact system performance or reliability. 

Improved System Reliability

Runtime systems in industrial settings are designed to ensure high system reliability by providing features such as fault tolerance, error detection, and recovery mechanisms. This ensures that the system can continue to operate even in the presence of faults or errors. 

Enhanced System Security

Industrial runtime systems provide robust security features to protect industrial automation systems from cyber threats, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of data and preventing unauthorized access. 

Reduced Engineering Costs

Runtime systems in industrial automation can reduce engineering costs by allowing for the generation and deployment of code at runtime, thus reducing the need for manual coding and testing. 

Increased Agility in Engineering and Runtime

Runtime systems in industrial automation can enhance efficiency and flexibility in automation engineering by providing real-time feedback and allowing for the adaptation of systems to changing conditions. 

With its netFIELD ecosystem, Hilscher offers a holistic infrastructure to integrate IIoT capability into the field level, generate a multitude of previously unused data, process it at the network edge or in application-specific IIoT applications from the cloud and draw value-generating conclusions from it. 

Intelligent netFIELD Edge devices act as data intermediaries between the automation level and the information technology. They aggregate, process and transmit additional IoT information from the production process completely autonomously - either locally or in combination with a cloud. The secure netFIELD Edge OS Runtime and freely reloadable software modules in the form of Docker containers determine the intelligence of the gateways. Both the devices themselves and the software containers can be managed remotely via an internet portal. This enables the centralized and cost-efficient installation, maintenance and monitoring of customized IIoT edge solutions worldwide. Hilscher's edge gateway portfolio includes devices with different function sets and in different performance levels - for running compute-intensive applications, for direct integration into industrial networks as field devices or as an additional function integrated into an IO-Link master.