Intel released an update to its Linux-based, Intel Atom-focused Intel Embedded Software Development Tool Suite, adding support for the Yocto 1.1 embedded tookit. Version 2.3 supports the latest Intel Atom models and optimizations, and updates components including the compiler, performance libraries, and analysis and debug tools, says the company.

The Intel Embedded Software Development Tool Suite 2.3 enables embedded software developers to quickly assess, stabilize, and debug system and application code for Atom-based embedded devices, says Intel.  The software is said to help optimize applications for performance and power savings.

The kit emerged from Intel's Atom Developer Program back in 2009, at which time the now-fading MeeGo had yet to be announced as a mobile operating system heir to the earlier Moblin platform for Atom chips. This was also long before the MeeGo- and LiMo-derived Tizen project was announced, or Intel announced Atom support for Android.

None of these platforms is mentioned in Intel's announcement, except to say that the software supports MeeGo 1.2 along with Linux 2.6 and 3.0 targets. Host support is provided for Ubuntu 10.04 and Fedora 11, 13, 14, and 15 versions of Linux, says Intel.

Intel Embedded Software Development Tool Suite 2.3 architecture

Tool Suite 2.3 also supports the Linux Foundation's Yocto Project's Yocto 1.1 open source build system and tools collection. Intel is the primary backer of this embedded code project, which is designed to help companies develop custom, embedded Linux systems on all major architectures. Based on Linux 3.0, Yocto 1.1 adds a GUI-based, customized image builder called "Hob," plus layer tooling features, 3G cellular support, and small footprint, fast-boot layers.

Intel VTune Amplifier XE profiling tool
(Click to enlarge)

Beyond the Yocto integration, the Intel Embedded Software Development Tool Suite 2.3 offers enhancements such as new Integrated Performance Primitives for tuning Intel Atom processors, as well as an enhanced JTAG debugger, says Intel. There's also a new Vtune Amplifier XE tool for performance profiling (see screenshot above).

Highlights of the Tool Suite 2.3 are said to include:

• Yocto 1.1 support — Intel's Tool Suite 2.3 adds support for devices based on Yocto 1.0 and 1.1, and integrates with the Yocto Application Development Toolkit 1.1, says the chipmaker.
• Intel Application Debugger –The app debugger now offers thread-specific run control and thread grouping, as well as hardware data breakpoints and remote debug support, says Intel.
• Intel JTAG Debugger — The JTAG debugger is now said to be optimized for all the latest Intel Atom variants. Featuring Linux kernel debug, on-chip trace, and SMP run control, the debugger now offers register access via bitfield editor, as well as translation and descriptor table access, says Intel. Other enhancements have been made to the flash memory tool and JTAG probe connectivity, says the company.
• Intel C++ Compiler — Claimed to be faster than the previous compiler, the new version offers SSSE3 vectorization, as well as in-order scheduling and memory access optimization. Intel Architecture (IA) support has been added for the IEEE 754-2008 standard for binary and decimal floating point operations, and there's now support for Variadic templates.
• Intel Integrated Performance Primitives — The new primitives enable "hand-tuned" optimizations for Intel Atom processors, and ship with a new JPEG-XR codec, says Intel.
• Intel VTune Amplifier XE — The new performance profiler is said to let developers identify optimization opportunities in modules, functions, or routines. VTune features low overhead sampling, no instrumentation requirements, and sampling collector support for Yocto, according to the company.

Availability

The Intel Embedded Software Development Tool Suite 2.3 appears to be available now, and can be downloaded in a free trial version. The commercial version costs $1,999, with a $799 support renewal price, says Intel. More information may be found at the Intel Embedded Software Development Tool Suite product page.

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