Access is sampling a new version of its Linux distribution and development tools said to support “the latest ABI” (application binary interface) for ARM, thanks to integration with CodeSourcery's G++ toolchain. Additionally, Access says its partner ecosystem has gained eight embedded software vendors and development service providers.

CodeSourcery touts G++ as an enhanced, commercially supported version of the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc) and other GNU tools. Available under an open source license, it is maintained on MIPS, PowerPC, and ARM architectures.

Access says it has integrated G++ for ARM with with its Access Linux Platform SDK (software development kit) and PDK (product development kit). The addition is said to let customers incorporate third-party ABI-compliant libraries, while continuing to use other compliant toolchains for their own development.

One recent ABI for ARM is EABI (enhanced ABI), which ARM added to its RealView Compiler about four years ago. The Debian distribution early this year gained an EABI port, said to have greatly improved floating point performance.

In other news, Access announced that CodeSourcery has joined its Access Connect Ecosystem (ACE), which now boasts about 65 companies. Along with CodeSourcery, other new ACE members include:

• Fluendo — Barcelona-based maintainer of GStreamer multimedia framework and the Elisa media center framework
• Mentor Graphics Corporation — A specialist in EDA (electronic data automation) and embedded system design
• Movial Corporation — A “converged” media company specializing in IP communications systems
• MOZAT — a Shanghai-based provider of carrier- and enterprise-grade mobile software, including push e-mail, remote desktop documents, IM, mobile video, push RSS, PIM sync, and mobile search
• OpenedHand — an embedded Unix/Linux software service company that maintains Poky Linux
• Sigmatrix Technology Corp. — a Beijing-based provider of barcode and “2D message” technology
• UnisCode — a large, Beijing-based software vendor with barcode, fingerprint, OCR, and mobile phone stacks

Larry Berkin, senior director of developer ecosystem, stated, “The Access Linux Platform combines open source Linux components with proven Access mobile technologies to provide an integrated, commercial-grade, Linux-based platform for handset and mobile device manufacturers, operators and developers.”

Mark Mitchell, chief sourcerer at CodeSourcery, stated, “We are excited to be working with Access to provide high-quality, supported GNU development tools for the Access Linux Platform. [They] will enable customers to deliver innovative mobile phones, converged mobile devices, and applications.”

Commercial Linux OSes will ship in 127 million devices by 2012, up from 8.1 million in 2007, according to ABI Research figures cited by Access.

Availability

Versions of the ALP SDK and PDK with G++ toolchains are available now to participants in Access's Early Access program.

 
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