Royalty-free BIOS spans embedded processor range

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Aug 22, 2002

Datalight has set up a royalty free purchase programme for its BIOS v3.0, allowing embedded systems OEMs to significantly reduce their cost of goods.

Datalight has set up a royalty free purchase programme for its BIOS v3.0, allowing embedded systems OEMs to significantly reduce their cost of goods.

Two options are available under the royalty free programme.

The first includes an annual license fee of $7500 which authorises the OEM to distribute unlimited copies of the Datalight BIOS during the license period on a defined product.

The second option offers a one-time license fee buyout for $15,000 which allows the OEM to include unlimited copies for a defined product.

The development kit contains source code and a set of development tools including Paradigm Debug, Paradigm Locate and Borland TASM assembler which is provided with both royalty free programmes.

The Datalight BIOS v3.0 provides the necessary setup and initialisation for an x86-based embedded computer system and capability to launch an operating system.

Embedded features of the Datalight BIOS are similar to those provided with a desktop BIOS such as floppy disk support, IDE hard disk support, CD-ROM boot support.

Datalight BIOS v3.0 offers support for AMD SC400 CDP, SC520 CDP, NET SC520 as well as National Semiconductor SP4GX10 (Centaurus Development Platform) and SP2GX00 (Aries Reference Design).

Binary evaluation images are available for download via Datalight's website.

"The Datalight BIOS combined with National Semiconductor's Geode technology offers an excellent value proposition for makers of information appliances", remarked Ziv Azmanov, thin client business unit director of National Semiconductor's Information Appliance Group.

Datalight creates reliable system software components for developing successful embedded systems.

Datalight's core products, ROM-DOS, with built in Sockets, and FlashFX provide powerful, proven, intuitive tools for embedded developers.

These products, combined with a deep commitment to support, establish a strong foundation for fast time to market and increased profitability.