Tensilica announced today that its Xtensa microprocessor architecture now supports MontaVista's embedded Linux operating system. Xtensa offers a customizable processor core that targets high volume applications for datacom and telecom protocol processing, digital cameras, set-top boxes, office automation products, and wireless devices.

MontaVista Linux for Xtensa supports Tensilica's “Operating System Overlay” methodology, whereby developers begin with software configured for the base version of Xtensa. As modifications to the processor are made, Xtensa's OSKit is automatically generated, thereby allowing host and target to gain updates for the customized extensions. This process allows the operating system to run on any unique Xtensa configuration that meets minimum MontaVista Linux requirements.

The hardware and software are being demonstrated at the Embedded Systems Conference in San Francisco this week.

 
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