Who needs an RTOS for embedded 16 bit applications?

I've often been requested to give direction for an RTOS for H8S and M16C based products. However, I've rarely requested feedback from actual users about usign RTOS or schedulers in their applications.

• What makes a good RTOS?
• Does it need to be Open Source?
• Can a good cooperative scheduler do the job when an RTOS is too resource intensive?
• Most designs with RTOS start out that way, right? Or does the RTOS get added later due to complexity of the design?

Please give some input to this question! Thanks.

--CG

AZ Power (www.azpower.com) has ported the uC/OS-II RTOS for H8 ahd also has their own RTOS called ecos for the H8 and other Renesas devices.

There is also a company called RoweBots www.rowebots.com who is porting their small RTOS for the M16C. They are currently supporting two University kits from Renesas, the QSK26A and QSK62P. You can get more info at: http://rowebots.com/Embedded_Processor_support/renesas_m16c_development

The kits can be purchased at DigiKey.