[Updated July 14, 2006] — RidgeRun, a stalled start-up focused on Linux development for Texas Instruments (TI) dual-core (RISC/DSP) processors, has re-launched. The new RidgeRun will offer Linux, Windows, and RTEMS BSPs (board support packages), drivers, application development, and software integration services for ARM-based processors from multiple vendors, including TI.

Todd Fischer, who directed engineering for the old RidgeRun, will provide technical leadership for the new RidgeRun as well. Other principals include Clark T. Becker, former CTO of Best Buy, and Michael Frank, a former Best Buy GM.

The new RidgeRun company was created as a partnership between three companies, including:

• Cadenux, an embedded Linux consulting company co-founded by Fischer
• Technology Innovation Holdings, Inc. (TIHI) a consumer electronics consulting and investment firm co-founded by Becker and Frank
• The Navvo Group, a company specializing in voice-controlled consumer electronics

According to Becker, the deal evolved from contract work performed by Cadenux for TIHI. “After we left Best Buy, we were consulting in consumer electronics. One of our bigger jobs led us to Cadenux,” he said.

RidgeRun's engineering team is based in Costa Rica, an arrangement that works out well, according to Becker. “Labor rates are lower, and Costa Rica has a really good educational system. And, they're in the same time zone [as Minnetonka, Minn., where RidgeRun is based], and are only a six-hour flight away.”

Becker adds, “We're in the process of on-boarding our 14th or 15th engineer [in Costa Rica]. The team is made up of different software engineering disciplines, and one hardware guy, to facilitate interfacing with hardware design shops and manufacturers. We're currently doing some manufacturing in China.”

RidgeRun currently has one large anchor client, Navvo, which is also an investor in the company, Becker said.

RidgeRun's portfolio of intellectual property includes an XFlat shared library said to allow applications to link dynamically to shared libraries even when run on processors lacking memory management units (MMUs).

The RidgeRun website lists service and consulting package offerings that include:

• Is Linux right for me?
• Development and integration
• Linux BSP creation
• Custom hardware porting
• Driver development
• Performance tuning
• Training
• Application development

RidgeRun's off-the-shelf products include:

• ARM Linux 2.6 BSPs for TI DaVinci processors, and evaluation modules (EVMs) that include TI's DM320/DM342, Appro's DM320, TI's DM310, and Cogent's CSB337 (based on Atmel AT91RM9200)
• MIPS Linux 2.6 BSP for Cogent's CSB350 board, based on a Raza Microelectronics Alchemy Au1100
• Linux 2.4 BSPs for various ARM9- and ARM7-based evaluation boards from TI, Motorola, and PSI
• Linux 2.0 BSPs for ARM7-based DSC2x EVMs from TI, and TI's C5471 EVM
• RTEMS 4.6.2 BSPs for TI's DM320 EVMs

Additionally, RidgeRun is currently working on Windows CE BSPs for TI DaVinci processors, it says.

The old RidgeRun closed its doors in 2002, after receiving $5 million from Texas Instruments, and $1.5 million from a Boise venture capital fund. It had 30 employees. CEO Rudy Prince was quoted by the Idaho Statesman as saying at the time, “I think a fair number of people here are looking at regrouping and attacking the same markets.”

 
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