SAN FRANCISCO — The show floor at the upcoming Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) Spring reflects the exploding growth in products for embedded Internet and networked information appliances. The exhibition is part of a four-day conference (February 28 — March 2 at Chicago's McCormick Place South) that provides engineers and designers with opportunities to see and learn about the latest tools and… technologies to create products for the Post-PC age.

“The explosion of intelligent connected products, from set-top boxes to web-enabled telephones and in-car systems, is fueling a need for new connectivity solutions,” said Michael Barr, technical editor of EMBEDDED SYSTEMS PROGRAMMING magazine. “We are seeing products evolve from idea to full market production in months. This rapid change is placing a greater premium than ever before on the need for engineers to stay up-to-date on new products and technology.”

Dozens of new software and hardware products that support web access without using a PC will be displayed at ESC Spring, including embedded web servers, network interface cards, and TCP/IP software for embedded processors from companies such as Arm, Hitachi, Infineon, Intel and Motorola.

Highlights include:

• EBSnet Web Browser from EBSnet, Inc. — A full function, small footprint web browser for consumer devices with reconfigurable user interface.
  
• Server-in-a-Box (SIB) from EMAC, Inc. — Provides a graphical format for control and monitoring over the Internet.
  
• Kasago TCP/IP from Embedded Technologies, Inc. — Software tool that dramatically increases performance across Internet or intranet communication links in embedded systems.
  
• PersonalJava for OSE from Enea OSE Systems — Programming methodology and Java virtual machine implementation for fast, low cost development of consumer and telecommunications applications.

The show floor, which opens at 12:00 p.m. on February 29, features more than 170 companies exhibiting a broad range of products and services for advanced electronic design. In addition to connectivity solutions, the exhibition includes a host of board-level products including processors, controllers, debuggers and software tools, such as a new operating system for automotive applications and a software framework designed to bring desk-top quality multimedia to embedded devices.

Open-source software is playing an increasingly important role in embedded systems development. This is the topic of a special panel discussion and several conference sessions. New open-source products to be unveiled on the show floor include:

• Code Fusion for EL/IX from Cygnus Solutions — A customizable interface and open API for building embedded devices running Linux.
  
• Purple Planet from Embedded Planet — An integrated development platform combining the Linux operating system with a production-ready computing engine and touch screen display.
  
• Lynx's Blue Cat from Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc. — A development environment running on Red Hat Linux that supports Pentium and Power PC platforms.

“An exceptional conference program and almost 200 new products that are being introduced for the very first time make ESC Spring the season's best event for learning about comprehensive embedded solutions,” said Lindsey Vereen, editorial director of EMBEDDED SYSTEMS PROGRAMMING magazine. “The educational opportunity to see such a broad range of tools and devices in one location is a real benefit to attendees.”

New products are just part of the excitement at Chicago's largest conference focused on the embedded electronics industry. The conference includes a four-day program of 98 classes and tutorials, keynotes, panels and special events for engineers, designers and managers working with embedded systems. A complete conference catalog can be obtained by calling 800-789-2223 or by e-mailing [email protected] Class listings, registration, and updates are available online at www.embedded.com/spring.

[Editor's note: there will be an organizational meeting of the Embedded Linux Consortium on Wednesday, March 1st, at ESC. Refer to the postings at www.linuxdevices.com/forum/ for more information.]

 
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