Microware
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Defunct | September 2001 |
| Fate | Acquired by RadiSys Corp. |
| Headquarters | Clive, Iowa , United States |
| Products | OS-9, OS-9000, RT68, CD-RTOS, DAVID, Ariel, Color Computer 3 BASIC ROM enhancements |
Microware Systems Corporation was a U.S.-based software firm located in Clive, Iowa, recognized for creating the OS-9 real-time operating system.
The company operated autonomously from 1977 until its purchase by RadiSys Corp. in September 2001. Subsequently, the rights to OS-9 were transferred to Microware LP in March 2013. Initially, Microware developed a version of the BASIC language alongside a real-time kernel tailored for the Motorola 6800 CPU. At Motorola's request, they produced BASIC09 for the Motorola 6809, which served as the foundation for OS-9's creation as its core operating system.
Originally designed for the 68000 processors, OS-9 was extensively rewritten in C and subsequently adapted to multiple platforms such as Intel 80x86, PowerPC, ARM, MIPS, and certain Hitachi SuperH (SH) CPUs. The operating system initially found popularity among enthusiasts utilizing systems like SWTPC, Gimix, and Smoke Signal Broadcasting featuring SS-50 bus designs. Additionally, OS-9 established a presence in industrial and embedded sectors. It was notably widespread on 6809-based machines including the FM-7, FM-77, and the Tandy TRS-80 Color Computer along with its close counterpart, the Dragon 32/64. Over time, Microware redirected its attention toward industrial clientele, diminishing support for the hobbyist base that had contributed many Unix utilities to OS-9.
Microware products
- RT68 – initial offering for the 6800 processor
- OS-9 and OS-9000 – real-time operating systems compatible with various embedded CPU architectures
- CD-RTOS – operating system implemented in Philips CD-i players; a customized variant of OS-9/68K version 2.4
- DAVID – Digital Audio Video Interactive Decoder platform designed for digital television
- Ariel – micro operating system derived from MTOS-UX (obtained through acquisition from IPI)
- Enhancements to the Color Computer 3 BASIC ROM that enable 80-column text display and advanced graphics capabilities beyond Extended Color BASIC