QuantumLeaps/qpc

Free

QP/C Real-Time Event Framework/RTOS implements event-driven Active Object (Actor) model combined with Hierarchical State Machines. Specifically designed for embedded systems (e.g., ARM Cortex-M MCUs).

FreeFree tier

Type

Open Source

Company

QuantumLeaps

Visit Website GitHub (38 stars)

About QuantumLeaps/qpc

QP/C is a lightweight, real-time event framework (RTEF) implementing the asynchronous, event-driven Active Object (Actor) model of computation, specifically designed for real-time embedded systems such as microcontrollers (MCUs). It supports Hierarchical State Machines (UML statecharts) for specifying behavior, with both manual coding in C and automatic code generation via the free QM graphical model-based design tool. QP/C provides deterministic, real-time execution and can be viewed as a modern, asynchronous, event-driven RTOS. It is part of the larger QP framework family, which includes C++ and safety-certified editions (SafeQP/C and SafeQP/C++) for safety-critical applications.

Key Features

Lightweight, asynchronous, event-driven Active Object (Actor) model

Supports Hierarchical State Machines (UML statecharts)

Manual coding of state machines in C with automatic code generation via QM model-based design tool

Deterministic, real-time execution suitable for microcontrollers

Part of QP framework family (QP/C, QP/C++, SafeQP/C, SafeQP/C++)

Open-source with commercial licensing options for safety-critical applications

Pros & Cons

Pros

Lightweight footprint suitable for resource-constrained MCUs
Supports hierarchical state machines for complex behavior modeling
Deterministic real-time behavior
Integrates with free QM model-based design tool for automatic code generation
Open-source with commercial support and certification options

Best For

Building embedded applications with event-driven Active ObjectsReal-time control systems on microcontrollersImplementing complex state machine logic in firmwareSafety-critical systems (via SafeQP variant)