Real-Time Programming in C++

 Real-Time Programming in C++: Embedded Logic & Systems

Real-time programming is the discipline of building software where correctness depends not only on the result but also on the time at which it is delivered. In C++, this involves mastering deterministic execution, minimizing latency, and managing hardware resources with surgical precision. These skills are the backbone of autonomous vehicles, aerospace systems, and medical devices.

This module provides a rigorous set of C++ systems exercises. You will transition from simple time-tracking to building Finite State Machines (FSM), industrial simulators, and task schedulers that mimic the behavior of a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS).

Engineering Domain Skills:

• Hard vs. Soft Real-Time logic
• High-resolution chrono clocks
• Interrupt Latency simulation
• Asynchronous Event Callbacks
• FSM (Finite State Machines)
• Thread synchronization & Atomics

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C++ Systems & Real-Time Challenges

System Challenge	Low-Level Objective
Real-Time Clock	Implement high-precision timing using Standard Library clocks for synchronous updates.
Countdown Timer	Master blocking vs. non-blocking wait states and main loop execution.
Configurable Event Timer	Develop asynchronous callback triggers based on configurable hardware-like interrupts.
Temperature Monitoring	Simulate Data Acquisition (DAQ) pipelines for real-time sensor telemetry.
Traffic Control System	Architect a Finite State Machine (FSM) to handle critical timing between signal states.
Machine Control Simulation	Model industrial PLC-style logic using state transitions and fault detection.
Event Notification System	Implement an Observer pattern or event-handler to react to system triggers instantly.
Task Scheduler	Build a primitive Real-Time Scheduler to manage execution slices and task periods.
Fleet Tracking App	Manage concurrent data streams for multiple objects with real-time status updates.
Alarm System Simulation	Design safety-critical response logic for multi-sensor asynchronous alerts.