Enablement platform suits embedded computing apps

Wind River Systems Inc. and Freescale Semiconductor have introduced an enablement platform that promises to address growth opportunities in the embedded mass market. The joint platform is designed to simplify and accelerate application development for embedded computing applications using Freescale's multicore MPC5121e processor and the Wind River Linux OS.

The joint MPC5121e platform consists of a Freescale hardware development kit bundled with Wind River's software optimised for the 32bit MPC5121e processor built on Power Architecture technology. The bundled offering includes a choice of Commercial-Grade Linux or Wind River VxWorks OS, Wind River Workbench, a board support package (BSP) and a hardware development system optimised for the MPC5121e.

In delivering the MPC5121e development platform, Wind River and Freescale have merged their ecosystems for Linux OS support for the MPC5121e processor. The companies now offer a common roadmap for integration of joint Linux OS-based enablement solutions. This cooperation around Wind River Linux OS for the MPC5121e is expected to unleash further growth and innovation in the embedded mass market. In addition, the expanded relationship enables Wind River and Freescale to deliver tightly integrated, tested and scalable enablement solutions. The bundled offering is designed to help automotive and embedded system developers speed time-to-market, enhance system reliability and reduce cost through better integration and optimised development tools.

"We're strengthening our relationship with Freescale to provide customers with an embedded computing platform that will help them streamline development and accelerate time to market," said Vincent Rerolle, VP of strategy and corporate development at Wind River. "Freescale's commitment to delivering customer-centric solutions to the automotive, consumer and industrial markets makes them a successful, valued partner and solution provider. Together, we're offering our customers a versatile, robust development platform based on a choice of OS and one of the most innovative multicore processors for the embedded computing market."

The MPC5121e development platform targets a wide range of automotive applications including next-generation telematics systems, digital displays used in intelligent dashboards and vision processing systems. The joint platform is also designed to speed development for a wide variety of consumer and industrial applications, such as digital media servers, DTVs, non-automotive transportation systems, healthcare equipment, and industrial automation and control systems.

In addition to the choice of run times and Wind River development tools bundled with the MPC5121e development board, customers can leverage Wind River's Professional Services and 24/7 customer support to further tailor the platform solution without being distracted from innovating at the device-differentiating application level. Wind River Automotive Services Practice employs world-class staff, processes and technology with significant automotive device expertise to reduce risk for automotive device development.