Product category:
Embedded Software and Operating Systems
News Release from: Altera Europe | Subject: Nios II
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 05 April 2007
Embedded processor runs automotive RTOS
Automotive designers can now leverage the flexibility of an FPGA-based embedded processor with the knowledge that they will meet the specifications set by Europe's top automotive manufacturers.
Altera's Nios II embedded processor is now supported by Vector Informatik's osCAN, an OSEK/VDX-compliant real-time operating system (RTOS) for the automotive market With osCAN support, automotive designers can, for the first time, leverage the flexibility of an FPGA-based embedded processor with the knowledge that they will meet the specifications set by Europe's top automotive manufacturers
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 4 Mar 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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"Automotive applications designers using Altera's Nios II processor and FPGAs can enjoy the benefits of system integration along with quick, low-cost development of custom features on a standard platform", said Thomas Geyer of Vector Informatik.
"osCAN support will also make it much easier and faster for automotive developers to create a system prototype to support bids for contracts from automotive manufacturers".
The OSEK/VDX specifications are set by a steering committee led by BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Renault, Volkswagen and other key players in the automotive market, including Vector Informatik.
Currently all OSEK/VDX-compliant RTOSs target ASIC devices, limiting the features that designers can build on within their development projects.
Created by Vector Informatik, osCAN is a pre-emptive real-time multitasking operating system compliant with the version 2.2 OSEK/VDX operating system standard.
"One of the critical requirements for using embedded processors in the automotive market is the availability of an effective and well-supported OSEK/VDX-compliant operating system like osCAN", said Tim Colleran, Vice President of Altera's Consumer and Automotive Business Unit.
"The availability of osCAN for the Nios II processor paves the way for a much broader use of Altera's programmable solutions in the automotive market".
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