The HyperKernel Real-Time Extension
Necessary due to Windows NT’s poor suitability for real-time applications
Shares processor with NT, switches at 250 ms time intervals
contains library of predefined functions for application development in C
Allocates & configures shared memory locations
Real time control is possible since no NT interruptions
Can read optical encoder and output to DAC
Multiple independent prioritized threads (up to 1019):
- Main thread
- interrupt processing thread
Interrupts are created by interface card to signal HyperKernel