Real-time operating systems

VRTXsa v. 5 and VRTXoc Real-Time Executive are the latest VRTX real-time operating system releases. VRTXsa is targeted at advanced applications such as telecommunications switching products and high-end processors. VRTXsa v. 5 offers memory protection and POSIX compatibility features. It also provides upward compatibility from earlier VRTX products, including VRTX32. The new VRTXoc is specifically targeted for the system-on-a-chip market. It’s a compact real-time executive that aims to reduce development and production costs for devices with stringent memory and cost constraints. It features minimal ROM and RAM consumption and support for power-saving features. VRTXsa v. 5 is available now for PowerPC and 68K targets for $6,750, including an integrated version of the XRAY Debugger. VRTXoc is available free to developers, researchers, and educators. A per-project fee is charged for production licenses. Source and binary distributions for ARM are available now via the company’s Web site.

Mentor Graphics
Wilsonville, OR
(503) 685-1214
www.mentor.com

IDE documents timing behavior through rate monotonic analysis

TimeWiz is an integrated design environment for real-time systems. It allows a programmer to design, model, analyze, and document the timing behavior and reconfigurability of dynamic real-time and embedded systems. It incorporates analysis and simulation engines. Real-time processor scheduling employs the rate-monotonic analysis framework and/or dynamic priority schemes using algorithms like earliest deadline scheduling to obtain the worst-case behavior. TimeWiz is available now for $1,995 for the standard edition. Site licenses for unlimited users are also available.

TimeSys Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 681-6899
www.timesys.com

Integrated development environment

The MULTI 2000 integrated development environment is upwardly compatible with the MULTI IDE. MULTI 2000 features a revised GUI, incremental debug capability, increased support for object-oriented programming, a memory viewer, and an event analyzer for complex real-time interactions. MULTI 2000 also features modifications to the MULTI IDE’s source-level debugger, graphical browser, text editor, project builder, and version control system. MULTI 2000 supports most 32- and 64-bit processors and DSPs. MULTI 2000 is now available for $5,900 for Windows and $8,900 for Unix platforms.

Green Hills Software
Santa Barbara, CA
(805) 965-6044
www.ghs.com

Multiprocessor DSP RTOS

The Virtuoso 4.1 integrated development environment includes a four-layer, microkernel-based RTOS optimized for DSP and ASIC cores. It requires 2Kwords to 10Kwords of memory. The IDE tool suite includes a project manager, a kernel-optimizing system generation tool, and graphical analysis and debugging tools for DSPs. Virtuoso 4.1 features prioritized, preemptive scheduling and uses a distributed memory architecture. The IDE supports processors from Analog Devices, Texas Instruments, ARM, and Infineon Technologies. Virtuoso 4.1 is available now for $10,000 for single processor targets and $20,000 for VSP targets.

Eonic Systems
Aarschot, Belgium
+32 16 621 585
www.eonic.com

Hardware

Emulator for system-on-chip devices

MAJIC is the Multi-processor Advanced JTAG Interface Controller, an emulator that targets on-chip debugging. The emulator features real-time trace capabilities and can be used with any processor core that has on-chip debugging capabilities. The MAJIC also supports multiple CPU cores sharing the same debug interface and located within a system-on-chip device. The MAJIC comes in two models: the base model provides a basic target system and CPU control, and the MAJICPLUS model adds execution tracing support for devices with on-chip interfaces. Both feature a network-compatible 10BaseT Ethernet interface that allows remote and shared operation. The MAJIC costs $2,495 for a single unit and the MAJIC-KIT is $3,995. MAJICPLUS is available for $5,995 per unit and the kit costs $7,995.

Embedded Performance Inc.
Milpitas, CA
(408) 957-0350
www.epitools.com

Chips

In-system programmable flash microcontroller family

The 68HC908JL and JK are families of in-system programmable flash microcontrollers. The two families are based on the 68HC08 architecture and can program 64K in as fast as 2ms. The flash can increase write/erase cycling up to a claimed 10,000 cycles over operating temperature. The flash microcontrollers are available in 20- and 28-pin packages and feature in-application reprogramming with either 1.5K or 4K of flash. A 12-channel analog-to-digital converter and a multi-trip low-voltage inhibit have been integrated into the processors. The 68HC908JL and JK families with enhanced flash are available now, ranging in price from $0.99 to $2.10 each, in quantities of 50,000.

Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector
Austin, TX
(512) 895-8236
mcu.motsps.com

MPU integrates dual CAN and address 4MB memories

The DS80C390 dual CAN high-speed microprocessor integrates two CAN bus controllers with several peripherals and simultaneously addresses 4MB of external data memory and 4MB of external program memory. The company claims that the 8051 processor has an execution speed of 120MHz at a maximum crystal speed of 40MHz. A math accumulator performs 32- and 64-bit multiply, divide, shift, normalization, and accumulation functions in dedicated hardware. The DS80C390 is available in 64-pin LQFP and 68-pin PLCC package options. The processor is now available for $740 each in quantities of $25,000.

Dallas Semiconductor
Dallas, TX
(972) 371-3832
www.dalsemi.com

Engine provides MCU and DSP functionality

The TC10GP is a general-purpose engine based on the TriCore processor architecture. The TC10GP is a single-core computing engine providing real-time microcontroller and digital signal processor functionality, using an application development environment and system design tool chain. The TC10GP is made up of a TriCore 32-bit processor running at 66MHz, 48K of on-chip memory, and a suite of on-chip peripherals. The device also features up to 100 MIPS of combined microcontroller and DSP throughput. The TC10GP is now available in sample quantities and full production is scheduled for the second quarter of 2000. The device costs $20 each in quantities of 1,000.

Infineon Technologies Corp.
San Jose, CA
(888) 463-6366
www.infineon.com

Superscalar DSP for voice-over-IP and wireless basestation

The LSI402Z DSP is based on the open ZSP architecture. It provides 800 DSP MIPS at 200MHz and includes two time division multiplexed serial ports that support H.100/H.110 for T1/E1 telecommunication lines. An eight-channel DMA controller allows support for multichannel voice-over-network system channel requirements. The LSI402Z DSP is available now for $60 each in quantities of 1,000.

LSI Logic Corp.

Milpitas, CA

(408) 433-8000

www.lsilogic.com

DSP uses Star*Core technology

The MSC8101 is a digital signal processor based on the Star*Core DSP core technology. The MSC8101 features an on-chip network interface and offers four arithmetic logic units providing 1,200 DSP MIPS, a 150MHZ communications processor module programmable network protocol engine, 512K of on-chip static RAM, a 100MHz 64- or 32-bit PowerPC bus interface, a small footprint package, a DMA controller, and a programmable memory controller. It uses a 1.5V core and an independent 3.3V I/O power supply. The MSC8101 will sample in the second quarter of 2000. Pricing is scheduled to start at $100.

Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector
Austin, TX
(480) 413-5409
www.motorola-dsp.com

OEM

Single-slot 3U CompactPCI computer

F3, a single-slot 3U CompactPCI single-board computer, features the 586-class ST-PC processor capable of speeds between 66MHz and 133MHz. The ST-PC processor has an integrated graphics controller for CRT and TFT displays. The processor also includes various on-chip peripherals such as ISA and PCI bridges. The F3 features customizable I/O capabilities, main SO-DIMM memory, four serial interfaces, an Ethernet port, mouse and keyboard interfaces, IDE, a floppy disk drive interface, and a parallel port. The F3 is now available for $700 in single units.

MEN Micro Inc.
Carrollton, TX
(972) 466-5986
www.menmicro.com

Data acquisition and control computer

The EPC-350 is a PC-based data acquisition and control computer. It integrates serial, parallel, disk, analog, digital, counter/time, PC/104 expansion, and networking I/O. The keypad and four-line LCD display operator interface is supported with driver software and measures 5.75 in. by 8 in. The card comes with DOX 6.22 installed in flash and supports QNX and Linux. The computer is available for $595 in single quantities.

Octagon Systems
Westminster, CO
(303) 430-1500
www.octagonsystems.com