Ignios Demonstrates Efficient, Flexible Multicore Solution Using T-Engine Board Featuring Fujitsu SoC

The demonstration shows how the use of the SystemWeaver API allows application software to be written, via a T-Kernel adaptation layer, and compiled in a manner that is independent of the number of underlying processing resources. The SystemWeaver IP core then manages the dynamic run-time distribution of software across all available processing resources in the multicore MB87Q1100 device, delivering the full potential of the hardware to the application.



"SystemWeaver technology clearly shows the path to establishing a viable way of using multicore SoCs. We believe that the success of this demonstration has now opened the door for the deployment of this technology. We have made a step forward in enabling concurrent, system-level software development independent of hardware, achieving seamless interaction of multiple heterogeneous CPU cores in the system," commented Tetsu Tanizawa, Deputy General Manager, Strategic Business Development Division, Fujitsu Electronic Devices Business Unit.



The demonstration is based on a combination of connected T-Engine boards – one containing the Fujitsu MB87Q1100 device, the other containing an FPGA onto which the SystemWeaver IP core is synthesized. The MB87Q1100 integrates ARM926EJ-S and ARM946E-S embedded cores in Fujitsu's SoC platform. SystemWeaver manages the ARM processors via an AHB-Lite interface that connects the FPGA to the AHB bus within the MB87Q1100. In production systems, SystemWeaver would be integrated on-chip within the multicore SoC.



In addition to improving multicore software development and delivering run-time management efficiency, the demonstration also shows how the SystemWeaver IP core provides non-intrusive access to system-level trace information to enhance multicore debug.



“We are delighted to be working with a leading semiconductor company such as Fujitsu to demonstrate the capabilities of SystemWeaver,” declared Rick Clucas, Ignios CEO. “The results of this project again show that SystemWeaver provides unparalleled ease-of-use and efficiency for multicore architectures.”

Ignios is demonstrating the SystemWeaver-enabled MB87Q1100 T-Engine based multicore system at the TRONSHOW2006 event (December 14 -16 2005 in Tokyo) on the Fujitsu booth (booth number 5-3).

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About SystemWeaver

SystemWeaver addresses the software and hardware challenges presented by the proliferation of all multicore architectures – simple and complex – in the embedded chip market. The SystemWeaver API provides a unified abstraction layer for complex multicore devices. This abstraction allows embedded systems companies to develop and debug multicore applications more effectively, improving time to market. The key underlying system management and communications functions are implemented natively in a SystemWeaver IP core that is integrated on-chip. SystemWeaver unlocks the full performance of the multicore hardware, with significant cost, power and performance benefits that maximise product competitiveness.

SystemWeaver release v1.1 is available now and consists of the parameterisable, synthesisable SystemWeaver IP core and the SystemWeaver API. A SystemC model of the core and reference models of SystemWeaver-enabled SoCs are also provided.



About Ignios Ltd.

Ignios was established in 2003 to develop and market products that enable the real-time on-chip system management of multicore SoC devices. Ignios raised a total of $3.8 million in a first round of private financing early in 2004. The funding round was jointly led by Alice Lab and BTG. Further information on Ignios can be found at www.ignios.com.



About T-Engine

T-Engine is an open, standardized, real-time operating system development environment for constructing a ubiquitous computing environment. The T-Engine Project standardizes the hardware, a real-time operating system, and the object format. For more information see http://www.t-engine.org/.





Trademarks

SystemWeaver is a trademark of Ignios Ltd. T-Engine and T-Kernel are computer specification names, but are not particular product names or product family names. All other company names or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.


Chris Dace

PR for Ignios Ltd.

+44 8700 110 520

ignios@resonates.com



Dan Chester



Ignios Ltd.

Tel: +44 1865 78 46 30



dchester@ignios.com