Scribd
Upload
75 views10 pages

4.5 Process and Thread Concept

This document discusses processes and threads in embedded systems and real-time operating systems. It defines a process as an independently executable unit of a program that performs a specific task. Processes run concurrently and are controlled by the operating system kernel through process states. A process consists of data, objects, resources, and a process control block (PCB). It also defines a thread as the smallest sequence of instructions managed by the OS scheduler. Threads exist within a process and can share resources, while different processes do not. Multiple threads allow a process to perform multiple tasks concurrently. An example mobile phone system is provided to illustrate how different processes like voice encoding and display would each contain multiple threads to perform their

Uploaded by

Alpha Placard
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
75 views10 pages

4.5 Process and Thread Concept

This document discusses processes and threads in embedded systems and real-time operating systems. It defines a process as an independently executable unit of a program that performs a specific task. Processes run concurrently and are controlled by the operating system kernel through process states. A process consists of data, objects, resources, and a process control block (PCB). It also defines a thread as the smallest sequence of instructions managed by the OS scheduler. Threads exist within a process and can share resources, while different processes do not. Multiple threads allow a process to perform multiple tasks concurrently. An example mobile phone system is provided to illustrate how different processes like voice encoding and display would each contain multiple threads to perform their

Uploaded by

Alpha Placard
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

Embedded Systems and RTOS

Session 4.5

Process and Thread Concept

Shripad V Deshpande

Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering


Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Pune
Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune
PROCESS
• A process : Independently executable unit of a program
which is used to perform a specific task in a system.
• Many processes run concurrently.
• Process runs by executing the instructions sequentially
and it can be in one of several states. The state is
controlled by OS (kernel).
• Runs only when it is in ready-to-run state and is
scheduled to run by the OS (kernel)
• Several processes communicate with each other.
• Process Structure: Data, Objects & resources, and
Process Control Block (PCB)
• Application program can be said to consist of number of
processes
2
EXAMPLE – MOBILE PHONE DEVICE
• Software is highly complex
• Several programs must be concurrently running
on a single processor
• Different processes involved
• Voice encoding process
• Modulating process
• Display process
• Key input process

• Each process has its own PCB

3
PROCESS CONTROL BLOCK
• A data structure having the information using which the OS
controls the process state
• Stores in protected memory area of the kernel.
• PCB consists of the information about the process state
• The PCB will have following information
• Process ID (PID)
• Process Priority
• Parent Process
• Child Process(s)
• Address to the PCB of next process, which will run next
• Allocated program memory block details in Physical Memory and
Virtual Memory
• Allocated heap memory details
• Allocated process stack addresses for the functions called
during running of the process
4
THREAD
• A thread is a path of execution within a process.
• PCB controls the working of all threads within that process.
• It is the smallest sequence of programmed instructions that
can be managed independently by an operating
system scheduler.
• A thread can be thought of as a light-weight process
• A thread is contained inside a process.
• Multiple threads can exist within the same process and share
resources such as memory, while different processes do not
share these resources.
• One thread does not interfere with other thread.
• Process : a program in execution
• Thread : function in execution
5
SINGLE AND MULTITHREADED PROCESSES

6
THREAD STRUCTURE
Thread ID

Stack Pointer
Each Threads maintains it own

Program Counter

Set of Registers
7
EXAMPLE : DISPLAY PROCESS IN MOBILE PHONE
• Display_Time_Date thread ─ for displaying clock time and
date.
• Display_Battery thread ─ for displaying battery power.
• Display_Signal thread ─ for displaying signal strength
• Display_Profile thread ─ for displaying silent or sound-
active mode
• Display_Message thread ─ for displaying unread message
in the inbox
• Display_Call Status thread ─ for displaying call status;

• Display threads can share the common memory blocks and


resources allocated to the Display_Process
8
THREADS OF A PROCESS SHARING PROCESS STRUCTURE

Application program can be said to consist of number of threads or


processes

9
Next Session 4.6 ->
Creating and processing POSIX threads

You might also like