Embedded software framework speeds SoCs to market

Toshiba has launched an integrated framework of software tools for the development and testing of the complex embedded software demanded by SoC designs based on 32 and 64bit microprocessor cores.

Toshiba Electronics has launched an integrated framework of software tools for the development and testing of the complex embedded software demanded by SoC designs based on 32 and 64bit microprocessor cores.

The TSB Design and Verification Framework provides developers with both an RTOS-independent development environment and a method for automating the testing and quality verification of the software stack.

Designed for use in high-end embedded applications, the TSB Design and Verification Framework is particularly suited to set-top boxes, digital televisions and other digital consumer designs.

These designs demand real-time performance and consistent reliability, rather than "PC-quality" software that needs regular rebooting, patching or updating.

Using the tools from the framework, developers can deliver reliable SoC solutions while keeping time to market and development costs to a minimum.

Toshiba's framework aids software design by providing Unified Modelling Language (UML) tooling and extensions that support development via formal notation, dynamic modelling, automatic pattern generation, and code generation.

The framework also facilitates the re-use of application-specific IP and simplifies the creation of scaleable architectures with well-identified interfaces and hierarchical structures.

Tools that allow test mechanisms to be inserted into the design so that behaviour can be probed at any time support software verification.

In addition, the Framework also provides methods for developers to generate test suites that facilitate repeat testing using automation and scripting.

Toshiba's TSB Design and Verification Framework is an object-oriented development environment that is typically embedded within a UML design tool, and uses the C++ development language.

UML ensures a common language to express the design, and facilitates extraction and generation of modelling documentation.

The choice of C++ provides the levels of abstraction needed to clearly express the functionality that complex SoC designs demand.

Furthermore, by combining C++ with a structured environment that offers a reduced set of patterns, concepts and language constructs, the design framework delivers maximum code efficiency.

For software verification, the framework minimises the effort required to create test drivers for the software under test (SUT), and provides tools that simplify the tracing and execution of program execution.

The framework also provides a "plug-in" mechanism that quickly and easily implements and adds almost any type of testing tools during software build.

As a default, the framework comes with plug-ins for the Python object-orientated programming language, and Toshiba's own xTTI (extensible target test interface).

A scripting language known as Expect speeds the development of automated and re-usable test scripts that generate meaningful test report files.

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