Web Seminar: The Transition to Multi-core: Is Your Software Ready?

Transition to multi-core environments necessitates that software development organizations come up with a clean migration strategy, preserving their existing software. To help solve the challenge, QNX Software Systems has introduced Bound Multiprocessing (BMP). Download the web seminar today!

As you may know, eg3.com is working on an exciting new report, Selecting an Embedded RTOS. In researching the topic, we have become aware of a small but significant group of vendors with some novel twists on how to approach the idea of using (or creating) a real-time operating system for your embedded project. Zeidman Technologies, for example, rejects a 'one size fits all' approach and instead focuses on creating a 'custom' RTOS, especially for sensitive SOC applications. The product, based on Java, is called SynthOS™. Don't miss their cool video Webinar on the topic, here.

Jaluna OSware focuses on allowing multiple operating systems to pleasantly co-exist in a single application. This might be useful if you need many of the application features of Linux, for example, as well as some of the hard real-time performance of Neutrino, VxWorks, or ThreadX. Alternatively, if you want to switch from one RTOS to another - MapuSoft Technologies provides a nifty product called, 'OS Changer,' that allows easy porting from one RTOS to another. Their other product, 'OS Abstractor,' allows you to develop software with portability in mind - develop it once in 'OS Abstractor,' and port it subsequently to a number of competing RTOSs yourself.

Among the Linux community, TimeSys has abandoned the very idea a 'Linux distribution.' Instead, the Pittsburg, PA, vendor has launched 'LinuxLink.' In partnership with various chip vendors, TimeSys has optimized Linux for those architectures. Developers then 'subscribe' to a 'service' that updates them with variants of Linux optimized for particular hardware. Currently available are ARM, Coldfire, Intel IA (x86), MIPS, PowerPC, and XScale. If TimeSys's philosophy intrigues you, don't miss eLinOS from SYSGO, an integrated development environment designed to help you optimize Linux yourself.

The wireless world continues its shake-down. Which standard(s) will dominate? Which will fall by the wayside? In response to the IEEE 802.15.3a Task Force motion to abandon UWB standardization, the Wimedia Alliance and UWB Forum reiterated their commitment to UWB standardization, here. That said, where there is smoke there is fire, and vendor competition is driving the marketization of UWB first and standardization second.

Beyond UWB confusion, the IEEE voted to confirm the 802.11n Wi-Fi Draft Specification, here, meaning that 802.x may soon become competitive with UWB. 802.x has enormous market momentum, so we may again witness a case of better marketing outpacing better technology. For an example of a UWB design, check out wireless video system using Freescale's UWB solution.

(conference, 5 stars) - 2/6/2006, Santa Clara

DesignCon
DesignCon is the premier solutions-based Electronic Design Automation (EDA) and Semiconductor industry event held annually in Silicon Valley. The event features over 80 technical sessions covering hot product case studies, design methodologies and new product technologies. The technical exhibition consists of over 130 leading EDA tool providers, semiconductor manufacturers, system design houses and IP Providers.

(conference, 5 stars) - 2/14/2006, Nurnberg

embedded world 2006 Conference
24 sessions, 2 tutorials and 8 workshops tackle the current embedded systems issues. The conference highlights include the keynote lecture by Jerry McGuire of Analog Devices, plus two workshops on the design of high-availability and safety-critical systems. The conference programme is rounded off by in-depth tutorials on topics like ZigBee, real time operating systems, signal processing software design or reconfigurable processors.

(conference, 5 stars) - 2/28/2006, Dallas

TI Developer Conference
The TI Developer Conference brings together top world-wide companies and leading-edge products. Providing hands-on labs, demonstrations of emerging technologies, presentations on the latest developments, and expert panels, the conference keep designers, engineers, developers, project managers, and educators abreast of recent advances and future demands.

(conference, 4 stars) - 3/6/2006, Munich

DATE - Design Automation and Test Europe
The Conference addresses all aspects of research and development of technologies for the design and test of electronics-based products. It encompasses therefore not only the whole food-chain of the electronics industry from integrated circuits through multi-chip modules and printed-circuit boards to complete systems, but it also covers design tools, design and test issues at all relevant levels of abstraction.