Embedded Computers & Networks

Debugging Tool Focuses on Intel Processors Corporate and engineering managers are probably no longer surprised, but no less unhappy, when systems are delivered late and with a generous helping of bugs. Now, developers of embedded systems based on Intel® Atom™, Core™, and Xeon® processors have help from a new development/debugging tool offered by Intel's software and OS subsidiary Wind River. Based on the company's Eclipse platform, the Workbench On-Chip Debugging tool is optimized for Intel's processors and its JTAG technology should help developers quickly pinpoint trouble spots where software meets hardware — and keep those managers happy.

Register Today! GlobalSpec's Aerospace Technology Event — November 16, 2011 Join your peers and leading manufacturers for this free, informative, and interactiveONLINE conference and trade show — right from the convenience of your desktop. Participate in any or all of the educational sessions, network with peers, and meet with manufacturers eager to showcase their latest products, services, and new technology offerings. Learn more about the educational sessions offered to meet your information needs, andregister today! • Exhibitor Opportunities • Speaking Opportunities

Power Conversion and Motor Control Solution Freescale Semiconductor MC56F82x Digital Signal Controllers combine the processing power of a DSP and the functionality and programmability of a microcontroller with fast and powerful peripherals. These 16-bit digital signal controllers include up to nine enhanced PWM channels, two 12-bit analog-to-digital converters, and a variety of serial communication ports. Freescale MC56F82x DSCs are ideal for applications such as board-mounted digital power supplies for servers, industrial and telecom power supplies, and advanced motor controls.

White Paper: Intro to VPX Embedded Computer Systems Learn the basics of the VPX computer system architecture (also known as VITA 46). AcromagVPX boards like PMC/XMC module carrier cards and reconfigurable Virtex-5 or Spartan-6 FPGA boards are the next generation of ruggedized compact embedded systems. After years of VME systems dominating the military/aerospace field, VPX expands the possible bandwidth by replacing the parallel bus with high speed serial busses offering faster data rates while using a fraction of the routing resources.

Technology Choice for Embedded Flash in Industrial Control SoCs Having on-chip flash memory gives SoC designers a place to store the large amounts of data and code required for rich features in industrial control systems and other embedded applications. Ideally, the memory technology used for embedded flash (eFlash) implementation should be compatible with the process technology employed for the logic portion of the chip, have a simple electrical interface with logic elements, and be easy to test. According to the authors, silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory technology fits the bill, and then some, allowing embedded flash and EEPROM on the same chip.

The Latest in Network Interface Solutions Newark / element14 offers the latest network interface solutions from leading brands like Black Box, Unicom, Brain Boxes, and more. Choose from Ethernet, serial/parallel, USB, and RS232 interface cards to standalone server switches, video servers, as well as Wireless Access Points to tie them all together.	Ready-to-Run Embedded Computer: V2100 Series Moxa's V2100 embedded computer is well-suited for industrial applications such as SCADA and factory automation and comes with an Intel Atom Z510PT processor. Our extensive family of industrial computers offer solutions designed for a wide variety of applications. Find the one that fits your requirement. View our Industrial Computer family of products...	USB or Serial Low-cost Digital Compass The OS5000-US is an extremely small form factor (1.0 in. square) 3 Axis, tilt compensated digital compass. The flexible design allows customers to use either a USB or an RS232 Serial connection for system integration. The OS5000-US provides precise heading, roll, and pitch data ideal for rapid attitude measurement.OceanServer Technology, Inc.
Smile for the IDE A professional-grade digital camera with an 80 megapixel image sensor generates file sizes approaching 500 MB. The design of the systemrequires that this mass of data be routed from the sensor to the ARM Cortex-A8 core, memory card, and connectivity ports simultaneously. The Cortex-A8 core is not alone, as other ARM processors and some slave processors handle other tasks. So, although the system is physically compact, it is data- and processing-intensive. The camera maker, Phase One, went with an IDE and compiler supplier whose products enabled the fastest performance and contributed to getting the application delivered on schedule.
	High-speed Analog with Simultaneous Sampling Contec Microelectronics U.S.A., Inc. CONTEC's AI-1204Z-PCI is ahigh-speed, analog input boardwith a 10 ms/sec (100 nsec) conversion speed with simultaneous sampling over four channels. The large (32M) buffer memory and bus master transfer function provide continuous, high-speed, long-term data acquisition.	SensorLex® 8B Isolated Analog Signal Conditioners Dataforth Corporation   Dataforth Corporation of Tucson, AZ, developed theSensorLex® 8B in response to customer requests for a smaller, lower-cost isolated signal conditioner. This line of isolated analog signal conditioning modules includes 17 family groups and 102 different modules that provide Instrument Class® performance in a package 20% the size of competing modular products.	Programmable Audible Indicator   TLC Electronics   PUI Audio's programmable indicator available through TLC Electronics allows you to give voice instructions along with a warning signal or a unique tone if multiple warning devices are used in the same area. With a wide frequency range PUI'sprogrammable indicator can play a variety of tones, alarm signals, voice, or music messages.
Temporary Fix for MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC 429 Test Issues MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC 429 are the two mainstay embedded networking standards in military systems and commercial avionics, respectively. Given that both support mission-critical systems, testing in general and test coverage in particular are key concerns. An issue has arisen when using certain test modules for either of the two standards in a National Instruments PXIe-8109 or PXIe-8133 embedded controller running NI's LabVIEW RTOS. NI is working with the module maker on a permanent fix, but for now, software workarounds are available on NI's site.
The Incredible Shrinking Embedded Computer SWaP is all the rage for military electronics systems of all types and functions — in the air, on or under the sea, on land, or on a troop's back. Size, weight, and power (hence "SWaP") are to be reduced as functionality is increased. In the area of embedded computers — specifically the single-board variety — where there are established form factors, this poses some problems. Not the least of these is some hesitancy on the part of suppliers to invest in the design and tooling efforts necessary to include any new SWaP-driven form factor. A good look at the issues, from the suppliers' point of view at least, is in order.
Ultra-low Voltage SoC for Medical Carries 32-bit Processor When is an embedded system also an implanted system? When it's an intelligent medical device placed inside a patient's body. A joint R&D effort by STMicroelectronics and M.I.T.'s Microsystems Technology Laboratories has yielded an ultra-low voltage SoC implementation that carries a 32-bit microprocessor built with ST's 65 nm CMOS process. What sets this device apart is its extremely low power requirements. For each clock cycle, the device requries only 10.2 picoJoules at an operating voltage of 0.54 volts. A fairly comprehensive set of peripherals is also included on-chip. The device is aimed at implantable medical devices and other applications requiring processing horsepower and low power consumption.
Embedded Virtualization: Not What You Think It Is Virtualization is not a new concept in computer engineering. But with the advent of multi-core processors for embedded applications, the virtualization approach can bring a new degree of flexibility and richness of features to embedded systems. In general-purpose systems, keeping all processor cores as close to fully utilized as possible all the time is one goal of virtualization. But for designers of embedded systems running real-time operating systems it is much more important to have direct control of critical functions and deterministic operation. HMI functions can be relegated to a general-purpose OS and a different core or portion of one. That's where embedded virtualization comes in and makes things simpler.
Safety in Numbers — But What if the Numbers are Ones and Zeroes? Driven by customer demand, government regulation, with a gentle shove from the insurance industry, and enabled by sensor and processing technology, today's motor vehicles are vastly safer than their predecessors of only a decade ago. But what about the electronic systems that permeate and control so much of a car's or truck's safe operation? A report jointly prepared by computer security vendor McAfee, embedded systems security firm Escrypt, and mobile/embedded software company Wind River is not encouraging. The report cites university research that shows a vehicle's critical safety systems can be hacked remotely and dangerously compromised. Imagine if a car-thieving hacker or someone with even more sinister intentions got into the system that immobilizes a car when it is suspected of being stolen.