Mountain View, CA — (press release) — MIPS Technologies and Ampro Computers today announced a broad technology, design, and marketing agreement to accelerate both the development and deployment of MIPS-based systems for embedded applications. In addition, the agreement sets the stage for the adoption of Ampro's new EnCore platform as an industry standard featuring advanced MIPS-based embedded… microprocessors.

Under terms of the multi-year agreement, Ampro will develop system modules based on MIPS32 processors that can function both as MIPS software development platforms and high-volume OEM products. These new modules will be based on Ampro's EnCore platform that provides for the efficient delivery of high performance CPU technology enabling accelerated development of Internet- and other network-connected embedded systems.

The MIPS-based Ampro EnCore platform will be broadly supported by real-time operating systems (RTOS) and application software, and will be available to OEMs and software vendors for porting and development purposes. Developers of MIPS-based software and systems will be able to use OEM-quality board-level computers produced in high volume, rather than the hand-built development and evaluation boards often supplied by semiconductor manufacturers.

“The new EnCore platform represents the first processor-independent architecture for SBCs proposed to the industry,” observed Paul Rosenfeld, Ampro's VP of Marketing. “Despite major market penetration by the MIPS architecture, broad hardware/software platforms have not been available in volume manufacturing formats,” continued Rosenfeld. “While Ampro's initial EnCore 500 module is based on a 266-MHz Mobile Pentium, the time is right for us to enable systems designers at all volume levels to reap the benefits provided by low-power, high-performance MIPS embedded processors,” added Rosenfeld.

EnCore modules are similar in concept to high-integration chips, interfacing directly to a designer's form-factor-independent system board containing application-specific logic and I/O connections. EnCore technology coupled with advanced real-time operating systems (RTOS) allows designers to focus their design resources on their application-specific system board and application software. This combination of pre-integrated hardware and software will give MIPS developers a crucial advantage in time-to-market.

EnCore modules interface to a baseboard through 272 pins that provide the PCI bus, I/O signals, and power and ground. A typical EnCore module includes CPU, high-speed Ethernet, up to 128MB DRAM, sound, flash memory, serial, parallel, and USB ports, and support for IDE compatible devices. It may also include a 3D graphics controller. EnCore modules are 100mm x 145mm (3.94″ x 5.70″) allowing wide flexibility in baseboard footprint.

Ampro believes the EnCore Platform will become the basis for an industry standard, as occurred with Ampro-created PC/104 and EBX form-factors. Ampro will provide EnCore form-factor details to third parties, on request, to enable rapid growth in EnCore-compatible products and enhance the acceptance of the platform.

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.