Dual-core processor gains RTOS support

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Apr 5, 2004

An enhanced version of Express Logic's popular ThreadX real-time operating system (RTOS) is designed for use with the Blackfin processor family from Analog Devices.

An enhanced version of Express Logic's popular ThreadX real-time operating system (RTOS) is designed for use with the Blackfin processor family from Analog Devices.

The newly announced ThreadX/SMP RTOS eases developers' ability to manage the complex task of programming a dual-core SMP embedded processor.

Designed as an SMP system, ADI's dual-core Blackfin processor allows customers to maximise performance, accessing up to two 750MHz Blackfin cores to handle even the most demanding embedded systems.

This is particularly important for media-rich applications that require intensive video/audio signal processing as well as standard control functions that regulate memory usage, I/O operations and more.

Through its relationship with ADI, Express Logic will offer Blackfin developers an SMP version of the ThreadX RTOS that provides load balancing across each of Blackfin's two cores; this greatly simplifies the process of developing for a dual-core platform, expediting development time and ultimately speeding time-to-market.

"With Express Logic offering seamless integration with our VisualDSP++ software development environment, our relationship with Express Logic has already benefited numerous Blackfin developers who require a compact, royalty-free RTOS", said Phil Davies, Director, Embedded Media Platforms, Analog Devices.

"Through Express Logic's development effort to bring an SMP version of ThreadX to the Blackfin community, Express Logic is achieving an industry first: delivering a true multiprocessor development environment for consumer electronics applications".

"With our ThreadX RTOS being the most widely deployed royalty-free, real-time operating system in the industry, we are committed to supporting ADI's Blackfin because it is the emerging leader in the embedded processor space", said William E Lamie, President, Express Logic.

"As the first to announce multiprocessing support for Blackfin, we are excited to enable developers to leverage the full power of the dual-core programmable Blackfin architecture".

The Blackfin processor is the first in a new breed of embedded processors designed specifically to meet the computational demands and power constraints of today's embedded audio, video and communications applications.

Based on the micro signal architecture (MSA) jointly developed with Intel Corp, ADI's Blackfin processor family combines a 32bit RISC-like instruction set with 16bit dual multiply accumulate (MAC) signal processing functionality and ease-of-use attributes found in general-purpose microcontrollers.

Dynamic power management enables breakthrough power consumption by allowing the simultaneous adjustment of operating frequency and voltage under application control.

Because they are code-compatible, all Blackfin processors provide portability of design.

In addition, Blackfin processors are fully supported by ADI's Crosscore development tool product line which includes the VisualDSP++ integrated development and debug environment (IDDE), by Express Logic's ThreadX/SMP RTOS and by other third-party tool vendors.

Blackfin processors are priced in the $5-40 per-unit range in 10,000 unit quantities.

Express Logic's ThreadX/SMP for ADI's dual-core Blackfin Processor will be available Q3 2004.

Although initial development will take place on a single dual-core Blackfin processor, ADI and Express Logic plan to extend the ThreadX/SMP load balancing capability to systems with multiple dual-core SMP Blackfin processors in the future.