Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
Real-time Linux supports MMU-ful ColdFire microcontroller
Sep. 25, 2006

FSMLabs is shipping a real-time Linux development kit for Freescale's first-ever MMU-equipped ColdFire microcontroller. RTLinuxPro 2.2 for the MCF5485 targets SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition), instrumentation, and non-traditional control applications, and is optionally available with Eclipse-based tools, according to the company.

Freescale announced the MCF548x, along with the MCF547x, in May of 2004. The chips were touted as the first ColdFire microcontrollers to support full Linux, rather than being limited to uClinux, a version of the OS adapted for MMU-less processors.


MCF5485 diagram
(Click to enlarge)

FSMLabs says that its RTLinux kit for the MMU-ful ColdFire controllers offers adequate real-time performance -- at clock speeds as low as 200MHz, and system bus speeds of only 100MHz. The kit include "patented hard real-time virtualization technology" that combines the RTCore real-time kernel with an embedded Linux or BSD client OS that is "completely preemptible by time-critical code," FSMLabs says. This is said to enable real-time tasks such as motor control, data acquisitions, and real-time networking, while still taking advantage of the enterprise software platform provided by the Linux OS.

In addition to a complete Linux-based, dual-kernel OS and development tools, the RTLinux kit includes real-time DIO (digital I/O) and Canbus drivers, FSMLabs says. The DIO driver "can easily drive a 25KHz square wave!" according to the company. (For more about how the company uses analog square waves to illustrate real-time performance characteristics, be sure to read this whitepaper here at LinuxDevices.com.)

Claimed real-time characteristics for RTLinux Pro on a 200MHz MCF5485 are as follows:
  • Worst case interrupt latency -- 44 microseconds
  • Worst case Scheduling jitter (worst case interrupt latency plus context switch plus scheduling overhead) -- 90 microseconds
  • Worst case context switch -- 56 microseconds
FSMLabs principal architect Michael Barabanov stated, "RTLinux allows real-time developers to conserve power and minimize bill of material costs without needing to go back to a primitive bare-bones software environment. The performance is outstanding for a 200MHz controller."

Renee Mitchell, operations manager for Freescale's consumer and industrial microcontroller divisions, stated, "The combination of ColdFire controllers and RTLinux provides an embedded enterprise platform that helps control system developers leverage existing middleware and utilities and focus on their applications instead of low-level OS issues."

Availability

RTLinuxPro 2.2 for ColdFire controllers is available immediately. Also available is an Eclipse-based IDE.

Embedded developer services provider TimeSys also supports the MCF548x.



Related Stories:


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• Wind River buys Mizi Research
• Home automation panel runs Poky Linux
• "Green" integrated PC runs Linux
• Intel acquires Linux distro developer
• Linux Space Cube ready for blast-off
• Nettop is "almost fanless"
• Tutorial sounds alarm for Nokia tablets
• CG Linux distro supports multicore MIPS64
• Embedded Linux guide updated
• Patent dispute threatens GPS imports
• MIDs offer Atom, HSDPA
• Software connects Linux MIDs to PC media
• Linux radio keeps it simple
• Motorola U9 takes fashion "beyond thin"
• Location-aware social net app targets MIDs


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Updated! Linux Mobile Phones Showcase
• World's cheapest Linux-based laptop?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• First Atom-based notebook runs Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• "PDA phone" runs Linux
• Intel offers $80 "Little Falls" Atom mobo
• Netflix Player runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• Summit debuts for Linux end users
• "UbuntuLite" reviewed
• Linux in the SME
• Linux: not yet photo-friendly
• Linux to gain anti-virus software
• Linux gains backup utility
• Testing Lenny
• HP offers Linux on low-end mini-notes
• Dell shipping five Hardy Heron systems
• IBM pushes "Microsoft-free" desktops


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.