Berlin, January 28th, 2026
Kithara Software, specialist for industrial real-time solutions, has completed the overhaul of the network API for the RTOS Kithara RealTime Suite. The improved IP socket API offers a powerful set of functions that fully supports socket communication for UDP, TCP as well as RAW-IP via IPv4, and now also via IPv6.
The new interface has been strictly optimized for performance to ensure minimal reaction times and maximum data rates in demanding industrial fields of application. While the previous socket API will remain supported for the time being to ensure backward compatibility, Kithara recommends the use of the new, extended structures for IP and socket addresses for all new developments.
The revision brings numerous functional advantages. For instance, configurable send and receive pool sizes allow for precise buffering adjustments to meet specific application requirements regarding latency and data processing time. Furthermore, support for jumbo frames via configurable MTU enables particularly efficient data throughput. An optional fast-retransmit function for the TCP protocol ensures increased reliability in the event of packet loss.
Additional development flexibility is provided by optional timeout parameters for send and receive functions, allowing them to be used efficiently even in blocking mode. Communication is possible via unicast, multicast and broadcast. Connectivity is versatile, utilizing real-time network adapters, virtual adapters, VLAN or pass-through adapters to Windows as well as EtherCAT EoE. To ensure a smooth transition for developers, Kithara provides new sample programs that illustrate the practical usage of the improved IP socket API.
