Virtio Corp. is now shipping a software tool that emulates Motorola's i.MX1/i.MXL application development board. The “virtual platform” can be used for developing applications, middleware, operating systems, and device drivers based on the Motorola i.MX1 and i.MXL “Dragonball” processors, targeting smartphones and wireless handhelds, according to Virtio, and targets Linux as well as several other embedded… OSes.

The i.MX1 and i.MXL are the first members of Motorola's DragonBall i.MX family. They are based on an ARM920T CPU core along with a long list of integrated functions, including SDRAM control, LCD interface, video port, dual UARTs, dual SPI ports, USB device port, I2C bus, general purpose I/O, memory card interfaces, and more. The i.MX processors also provide extensive power management capabilities, according to Motorola.

Target OSes supported by Virtio's VPMX Virtual Platform include Linux, Symbian OS, Windows CE .NET, and Palm OS. In addition, VPMX supports development tool chains including: Metrowerks's CodeWarrior Wireless Studio; and, Microsoft's eMbedded Visual Tools for application development, Platform Builder, and Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

Virtio offers VPMX in two configurations. Virtio says its $1,990.00 VPMX Virtual Platform (VP) gives the software developer control and visibility into the hardware to set breakpoints, single step, and watch signals. VP allows developers to preset hardware configurations such as switch settings, screen rotation, and COM port settings to boot operating systems, run applications, or create low-level drivers.

According to Virtio, the $9,990.00 VPMX Platform Development Kit (PDK) adds the ability to customize the platform hardware by using a library of components. Or, users can create new platform hardware functions using authoring tools included in the PDK. Using the PDK, developers can realize their entire system that incorporates the Motorola's i.MX1/i.MXL applications processor in a matter of days without the need to create hardware prototypes.

Virtio lists the following benefits and features for its VPMX technology:

• Dramatic gains in software development productivity through concurrent development and integration
• Accurate hardware behavior (binary compatible)
• High level of system control and visibility of both the hardware and software environments
• Real-world connections such as serial and network connections
• Easy interaction with colleagues, partners, and customers via electronic distribution of the final software development environment
• Accurate model of the user interface including touch-screen, stylus, and terminals
• Exceptional performance that supports booting operating systems and executing applications
• Integrates with industry-standard software development tools to maximize productivity with existing flow

Specific virtual components include:

• i.MX MC9328MX1/MXL Integrated Portable System Processor with
  • ARM920T processor
  • AHB to IP Bus Interface (AIPI)
  • On-chip peripherals
• i.MX M9328MX1/LADS Application Development System including:
  • Touch screen controller
  • Ethernet controller
  • DAC
  • I2C Keypad
  • RS232 Transceivers
  • Switches
  • LEDs

John Smolucha, director of developer relations for Motorola's Wireless and Mobile Systems Group, said, “Virtio's VPMX technology can play a significant role in helping our customers achieve early development of differentiating features and functionality.”

Shay Ben-Chorin, president and CEO for Virtio explained, “We are overcoming the major hurdles that software developers currently face by providing unprecedented control and visibility into the hardware along with the ability to develop, integrate and test new software, boot operating systems, and run applications.”

Evaluation copies of the platform are available from Virtio.

 
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