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Press Release: October 19, 2004

MARKETING CONTACT:

Stephen Martin
Quadros Systems, Inc.
Main: 832-351-2830
Direct: 781-641-2777
stephen.martin@quadros.com

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Janice Hughes
Hughes Communications, Inc.
705-746-4019
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janice@hughescom.net

Quadros Systems Announces Multiprocessing RTOS Support for Texas Instruments’ OMAP™5912

RTXC/mp real-time operating system simplifies development with a common API and the ability to distribute kernel objects across both cores

Booth # 411

ARM Developers' Conference, SANTA CLARA, CA - October 19, 2004 - Quadros Systems, Inc., a leading supplier of configurable and scaleable real-time operating systems (RTOS), today announced the availability of its distributed, asymmetric multiprocessing RTXC/mp RTOS for the TI OMAP5912 dual-core processor. Architectures such as OMAP have become popular in mobile communications applications, like 3G wireless telephony, that support both high data rate voice and data processing while delivering powerful user features such as web browsing, text messaging, personal information management and gaming. With the RTXC/mp RTOS, developers can achieve greater programming efficiency while minimizing development complexity.

OMAP is a dual-core, heterogeneous processor that combines a powerful ARM™-based 32-bit RISC core for control processing with a high-performance 16-bit integer TI DSP core for signal processing. Until now, the lack of unified software for heterogeneous processors has forced developers to use different operating systems on each OMAP core, segregating application tasks and limiting design flexibility.

The RTXC/mp RTOS presents the two cores that comprise the OMAP5912 as a single logical processor that lets the developer distribute the application’s code and kernel objects to the processor most suited to the needs of the application or for greatest efficiency. And through the consistent API, application tasks on one core can transparently make kernel calls that reference and use kernel objects on the other core, giving the appearance of a single core system.

“This unified approach to multicore design offers significant programming flexibility while simplifying the overall effort for OMAP development,” noted Tom Barrett, Quadros CEO. “Two powerful cores with one operating system API, a common development environment, and an integrated intercore communications framework add up to considerable time savings, with improved processor efficiency and reduced design risk.”

Since developers can use common tools for both cores, system development time is improved significantly. The configuration tool, RTXCgen™, included with the RTXC/mp RTOS, gives the developer high-level control over kernel and application resources. The integrated compiler and debugger environment of TI’s CodeComposer Studio™ used for both the RISC and DSP cores offers additional time savings by simplifying development.

The RTXC/mp operating system has inherent scheduling support for both asynchronous control and synchronous, constant-rate data flow processes. Data flow operations, such as those used in DSP, are handled by lightweight tasks called threads in a cooperative scheduling model, resulting in very fast performance and context switching. Control operations are supported by a preemptive scheduler, in a multitasking, event-driven model. Multiple task/thread priority levels allow the developer to set scheduling priorities for optimum performance and processor efficiency.

The RTXC/mp RTOS uses the same application programming interface (API) as its single core sibling, RTXC/ms, allowing applications to operate transparently whether in a single- or multi-core environment. In addition, RTXC/mp supports application designs that employ multiple cores or multiple processors whether they are heterogeneous or homogeneous.

Communication between the OMAP cores is handled transparently by the Poly-Messenger™ intercore communications framework from PolyCore Software which has been fully integrated with the RTXC/mp RTOS. Poly-Messenger is a next-generation software infrastructure for embedded multicore interprocessor communication. It supports both connectionless message passing and intelligent data transfers.

Availability

RTXC/mp RTOS for OMAP ships Q4 2004. The RTXC/mp SDK is designed for use with the OMAP5912 Starter Kit (OSK) using TI Code Composer Studio™. The OSK and Code Composer tools are available from Spectrum Digital (www.spectrumdigital.com) or from TI’s worldwide distributor network. For more information about RTXC/mp, visit www.quadros.com/products.

About the RTXC Quadros Family of Real-time Operating Systems

RTXC/mp is one of four highly scalable real-time operating systems in the RTXC Quadros family, offering distinct performance advantages for each of the major processing models. RTXC/ss (single stack) utilizes a cooperative scheduler to support high data rate and signal processing applications. RTXC/ms (multi-stack) is optimized for control processing using an event-driven, prioritized, preemptive scheduler. RTXC/dm (dual mode) marries RTXC/ms and RTXC/ss and is ideal for convergent processing applications which combine DSP/dataflow and RISC/control processing in a single-core architecture. Both RTXC/ms and RTXC/dm are brought together under RTXC/mp in various combinations to support multicore and multiprocessor implementations.

About Quadros, Systems, Inc.

Quadros Systems, Inc. develops and markets RTXC technology, bringing together RTOS, hardware and software professionals into one development team to provide innovative technology that maximizes real-time responsiveness and eases the development process for customers. In addition to the RTXC RTOS family, Quadros Systems offers a wide range of communications stacks and middleware including RTXC Quadnet (a suite of integrated communications protocols) and RTXCflashfile (a high performance file system for resident flash devices). RTXC products have been deployed worldwide in thousands of embedded systems, serving markets such as communications, medical, and industrial automation. For more information, contact Quadros Systems, Inc. at 832-351-2830, Quadros Systems Europe at +49 (0) 8807-94350 or visit www.quadros.com.