What is priority inversion and how does it affect system performance?

What is priority inversion and how does it affect system performance?

Priority inversion occurs when a higher-priority task is waiting for a lower-priority task to release a resource, leading to performance degradation.

Can you give me an example of priority inversion in a real-world scenario?

Sure! Imagine a real-time system where a high-priority task needs a lock held by a low-priority task. If a medium-priority task preempts the low-priority task, the high-priority task is effectively blocked, causing delays.

What are some strategies to mitigate priority inversion?

Common strategies include priority inheritance, where the lower-priority task temporarily inherits the higher priority, and using priority ceiling protocols.

How does priority inversion impact real-time systems specifically?

In real-time systems, priority inversion can lead to missed deadlines, which can be critical in applications like medical devices or automotive systems.