AMX Overview
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1. AMX Overview1.1 Introduction
The AMX™ Multitasking Executive provides a simple solution to the complexity of real-
time multitasking. AMX supervises the orderly execution of a set of application program
modules called tasks. AMX allows the system designer to concentrate on the application
without becoming overly concerned about the multitasking aspects of the solution.
AMX is based on concepts proven over the past thirty years in minicomputer and
microprocessor applications in process control environments. AMX simplifies real-time
software implementation by providing the system designer with a well-defined set of
rules.
AMX operates in real mode on any Intel® 8086 compatible microprocessor system
including the 8086/8088, 80186/188, 80286, Intel386™, Intel486™ and Pentium™. It can
also be used on the VAutomation 24-bit Turbo86 processor family. Unless otherwise
specified, references in this manual to 8086 infer all of the other processors as well.
AMX gives the system designer complete flexibility and control over the microcomputer
configuration employed. A real-time clock must be provided in the configuration if
AMX timing facilities are to be employed.
AMX provides a wide variety of services from which the real-time system designer can
choose. Many of the services are optional and, if not used, will not even be present in
your AMX system. The AMX managers are all optional.
The purpose of this manual is to provide the system designer and applications
programmer with the information required to properly configure and implement an
AMX-based real-time operating system. It is assumed that you are familiar with the
architecture of the processor on which you will be using AMX. It is further assumed that
you are familiar with the rudiments of microprocessor programming including the
concepts of code, data and stack separation.
For historical reasons, AMX 86 is coded in assembly language. The result is a fast,
compact, reliable implementation whose code has remained invariant throughout the
lifetime of this very stable product. AMX is provided in source format to ensure that
regardless of your development environment, your ability to use and support AMX is
uninhibited.
The C programming language, commonly used in real-time systems, is used throughout
this manual to illustrate the features of AMX.