Linux PDA software vendor Empower has joined Texas Instruments's (TI's) DSP (digital signal processor) third-party network, and will offer TI's DSP customers products and services related to Linux PDTs (portable data terminals), including industrial, portable medical, point-of-sale (POS), asset inventory, and enterprise applications.

Empower announced in September that it had ported its LinuxDA embedded operating system (LEOs) to TI's OMAP5910 dual-core processor. A month later, it announced a RISC/DSP development kit for OMAP5910-based portable data terminals (PDT). In November, the company said it had licensed its embedded Linux/DSP technology to a California-based ODM (original design manufacturer) for use in OMAP5910-based consumer audio/visual products. Empower has also announced a $200, Linux- and OMAP5910-based PDA (shown above) with camera and cell phone add-ons, expected in December.

Empower says TI's OMAP5910 includes an ARM 925 core linked to a programmable TMS320C55x DSP by TI's DSPLink device. The dual-processor architecture supports concurrent processes and real-time multi-tasking, and TI offers its eXpressDSP toolsuite to simplify development.

Empower says it can offer TI's DSP customers a one-stop shop for embedded Linux operating systems, customized OMAP5910-based development boards, and eXpressDSP-compliant DSP codecs. TI's DSP third party network includes about 650 independent companies and consultants.

“This will expand the reach of our LEOs and TMS320C55x DSP CODEC to a TI DSP-centric audience,” said CEO Paul Leung.

“Empower is integrating embedded Linux operating software, TI's OMAP development board, and an eXpressDSP-compliant CODEC,” said Gregory Mar, worldwide OMAP marketing manager at TI.

 
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