Viosoft is shipping a Linux-based hardware/software development kit intended to help developers create Internet-enabled devices or add Internet access to existing equipment. The kit bundles the company's Arriba Embedded Linux Edition development/debug tools and software with Intrinsyc's tiny PXA255-based CerfCube (pictured), and includes embedded Linux preinstalled.

Viosoft claims that its tools suite enables embedded Linux developers to quickly and easily import, configure, and integrate the various components of the Linux kernel with their application code “faster and easier than ever before.”

The suite, which supports both Linux- and Windows-hosted development, includes an integrated IDE, GNU C/C++ compiler and assembler, and source level debugger. Available functions allow developers to display and modify system registers, view configuration settings, manage file source modules, and generate and debug the user code seamlessly with the Linux kernel and drivers, the company says. Additionally, the suite is said to provide a single, high-speed Ethernet debugging channel that can be used to debug both device drivers and applications.

According to Viosoft, the company's embedded Linux development suite has been “completely integrated” with Intrinsyc's tiny PXA255-based CerfCube hardware platform. Specs of the CerfCube hardware that comes as part of Viosoft's hardware/software development kit include:

• Processor — 400 MHz 32-bit PXA255, based on Intel's XScale technology
  
• Memory:
  • 16 or 32 MB FLASH
    
  • 32 or 64 MB SDRAM

  • 2 EEPROMS — 1 write protected, 1 unlimited read/write
• Input/output ports:
  • 10/100 Ethernet
  • USB 1.1 port
  • 3 serial ports
    
  • Digital I/O — up to 32 digital lines with programmable interrupts
• CompactFlash Type I/II header — for adding off-the-shelf memory and I/O expansion functions
• 2 expansion headers — for interfacing to custom hardware
  
• Size — 3 x 3 x 3 inches
  
• Power — 5VDC regulated; requires 400 mA with no CompactFlash device; peak of 800-900 mA

Viosoft says that its embedded Linux development suite supports Intel “PXA25x” based device development.

Availability

The $795 hardware/software development kit is available directly from Viosoft. The kit's hardware platform is shipped preloaded with embedded Linux, and the entire kit is covered by 30 days of Viosoft technical support. For further details, visit Viosoft's website.

 
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