Interrupts form an important part of Real-time processing systems because they allow the system to respond quickly to external events and perform time-critical tasks. Real-time processing systems are designed to handle tasks with strict timing requirements, where the response time is critical to the system's functionality.

Interrupts are signals generated by external devices or internal processes that request the attention of the CPU. They are used to notify the system of events that require immediate attention, such as a keyboard input, a mouse click, or a timer expiration. When an interrupt occurs, the CPU temporarily suspends its current task and transfers control to a specific interrupt handler routine.

Interrupt handling in real-time processing systems involves the following steps:

1. **Interrupt Generation**: An external event or an internal process generates an interrupt signal. This can be triggered by hardware devices, such as input/output devices or timers, or by software-generated events.

2. **Interrupt Detection**: The CPU continuously monitors the interrupt lines to detect the occurrence of an interrupt signal. When an interrupt is detected, the CPU suspends its current task and saves its state.

3. **Interrupt Handling**: The interrupt handler routine is executed to handle the interrupt. This routine performs the necessary actions to respond to the event or process that triggered the interrupt. It may involve reading data from input devices, updating system variables, or initiating other tasks.

4. **Interrupt Servicing**: After the interrupt handler routine completes its execution, the CPU resumes the interrupted task by restoring its saved state. The system continues its normal operation until the next interrupt occurs.

Interrupts are crucial in real-time processing systems because they allow the system to respond quickly to time-sensitive events. Without interrupts, the system would have to rely on polling mechanisms, where it constantly checks for the occurrence of events, resulting in inefficient resource utilization and slower response times. Interrupts enable the system to handle multiple tasks concurrently, ensuring that critical events are serviced promptly and efficiently.

In conclusion, interrupts play a vital role in real-time processing systems by allowing the system to respond quickly to external events and perform time-critical tasks. They enable efficient multitasking and ensure that the system meets its strict timing requirements.