LynuxWorks' support of the Xilinx Virtex-5 FXT FPGAs expands an alliance that already is providing embedded developers with the most advanced development platform available. LynuxWorks is currently the only commercial Linux and RTOS provider to support both the Power Architecture and the MicroBlaze processor that make up the processing components of Xilinx embedded processing solutions.
The Xilinx Virtex-5 FXT platform offers the capacity of two PowerPC® 440 Processor blocks, offering software developers both a standard architecture and high-levels of processing power on a configurable hardware platform. The use of industry standard operating systems on this platform allows the development of very complex applications maximizing reuse of legacy, open-source or commercial applications to help bring products out to market on time.
The power of two PowerPC 440 cores also leads the way for multiprocessing solutions. This single configurable platform is capable of running two operating systems side by side, offering the possibility for running a GUI-based operating system such as BlueCat Linux on one core and then asymmetrically running an RTOS like LynxOS on the other. This helps with the migration of legacy code, and also the partitioning of embedded applications to maximize the performance of the embedded system.
"Our support of the latest Xilinx platform is the latest chapter in a very exciting relationship with Xilinx," said Robert Day, vice president of marketing at LynuxWorks. "The addition of two PowerPC 440 cores opens up some very interesting opportunities for our customers to build bigger and faster embedded applications taking advantage of our open standards operating systems running on a programmable device."
"Our confidence in providing industry-leading platforms that raise the bar for embedded design and development is bolstered by our strong relationship with LynuxWorks and their strong product portfolio," said Tim Erjavec, director of embedded and DSP marketing, Xilinx. "With this latest solution we are able to target new designs in a range of applications in communications, medical, military and aerospace and more by providing a reliable open software platform for our customers."
The Xilinx Virtex-5 FXT platform delivers the first FPGAs to provide two industry-standard PowerPC 440 processor blocks. Each processor, with integrated 32KB instruction and 32KB data caches, delivers up to 1,100 DMIPS at 550 MHz. Tightly coupled to each PowerPC 440 core is a new integrated 5x2 cross bar processor interconnect architecture and DMA controllers that provide simultaneous access to I/O and memory. In addition, the enhanced high-performance Auxiliary Processor Control Unit (APU) provides added connectivity for dedicated co-processing engines or custom user defined instructions in applications such as video processing, 3D data processing and floating-point math.
LynuxWorks' BlueCat Linux is an implementation of the 2.6 Linux kernel, which supports microprocessor control and is enhanced for use in a wide array of embedded systems, from small consumer devices to large-scale, multi-CPU systems. BlueCat Linux offers the flexibility of open-source software that leverages the Linux model and extends developers' investment by providing a simple path to migrate to real-time, deterministic performance. There are many embedded systems based on the Power Architecture running BlueCat Linux, from unmanned vehicles through to Navy Warships, wired and wireless routers through to next generation of consumer audio/visual devices. The LynxOS family of operating systems also offers support for the Power Architecture 440, and provides a range of reliable, high-performance open-standards that are also safety and security certifiable.
About LynuxWorks
LynuxWorks, a world leader in the embedded software market, is committed to providing open and reliable real-time operating systems (RTOS) and software tools to embedded developers. The company's LynxOS family of operating systems offers open standards with the highest level of safety and security features, enabling many mission-critical systems in defense, avionics and other industries. Additionally, LynuxWorks' BlueCat Linux provides the features and support of embedded Linux for companies wanting to use open source technology for their embedded applications. The Eclipse-based Luminosity IDE gives a powerful and consistent development system across all LynuxWorks operating systems. Since it was established in 1988, LynuxWorks has created technology that has been successfully deployed in thousands of designs and millions of products made by leading communications, avionics, aerospace/defense, and consumer electronics companies. LynuxWorks' headquarters are located in San Jose, Calif. For more information, visit www.lynuxworks.com.
LynuxWorks is a trademark and LynxOS and BlueCat are registered trademarks of LynuxWorks, Inc. Other brand or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective holders. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
For more information contact: Kirsten Long LynuxWorks, Inc. 408-979-4404 Email Contact Elvia Soltero Weber Shandwick 408-685-0614 Email Contact
