Framework focuses on automotive electronics

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Jul 11, 2005

A new embedded software framework can help companies building complex in-car devices get to market faster with less cost and more reliability.

Lectronix has teamed with industry leaders to introduce a new embedded software framework that can help companies building complex in-car devices get to market faster with less cost and more reliability.

Automakers are now often integrating upwards of 20 different technologies into a single cohesive system.

The latest vehicle models include not simply a radio, but complete car information systems that can combine satellite radio, navigation, GPS positioning, DVD and MP3 players, and potentially many other features.

Lectronix's flagship product, the AFrame applications framework and development suite, provides a consistent means for integrating these technologies into a single device.

The AFrame framework is based on a client-server model, where core functionality is implemented in middleware servers that encapsulate and isolate the integrated technology.

This modular "building block" approach allows AFrame to easily support a range of integrated in-car systems ranging from entertainment and multimedia to vehicle information, management, and communications.

In order to help its customers get into production quickly, Lectronix has also joined forces with a wide range of technology partners.

Lectronix has ported and pretested software components from companies such as Wind River, QNX, Navigon, IBM, Tilcon, Scansoft, Gracenote and TeleAtlas.

"AFrame delivers a powerful and reliable embedded automotive applications framework that allows system integrators and automotive OEMs to design next-generation car information systems", says Allan Dale, President and CEO of Lectronix.

"The result is a rich platform for infotainment design that can reduce development costs by eliminating the difficult tasks associated with technology integration while increasing the overall reliability of the end system".

In June, Lectronix demonstrated these capabilities at recent events such as the Freescale Technology Forum in Orlando, and the Telematics Update event in Berlin.