Field programmable gate array (FPGA) specialist Xilinx has revised its embedded system development tools, adding Linux hosting support, concurrent hardware and software debugging, automatic generation of MontaVista board support packages (BSP) and sample applications, and the ability to design hardware and software intellectual property (IP) suitable for use with both hard PowerPC processors and Xilinx… soft processor cores.

Xilinx Embedded Development Kit (EDK) with Platform Studio 6.2i is now available for hosting on Red Hat Linux 7.3 and 8.0, including Enterprise Editions.

The new EDK version includes a new Platform Debug functionality providing visibility into both hardware and software problems, according to Xilinx, using Xilinx's ChipScope Pro embedded bus/logic analyzer and the GNU gdb debugger in a syncronized, cross-triggering fashion. The debug function supports multi-processor implementations, including PowerPC and MicroBlaze soft processors with hardware breakpoints, and JTAG control without on-target software debug stubs, Xilinx says.

The new EDK also includes a Base System Builder wizard to help generate, download, and boot a hardware and software system much faster than would be possible using traditional methods, Xilinx claims. In addition to MontaVista Linux BSPs, the wizard can generate VxWorks and XMK BSPs, according to Xilinx. Xilinx joined MontaVista's partner network in July, 2002.

XMK, the Xilinx microkernel, has also been revised, with POSIX threads and FAT filesystem support, and a reduced footprint, according to Xilinx.

Additional new EDK features include the ability to revert to a previously working system, faster software download (up to 500Kbs on the MicroBlaze soft processor), and support for Cadence's NCSim and Bus Functional Model (BFM) for improved VHDL/Verilog simulation.

“Platform Studio Technology provides a platform development IDE, intelligent design wizards, revolutionary hardware and software generators, and a 'Platform Debug' capability, together enabling our customers to rapidly implement fully-custom processor solutions,” said Rich Sevcik, executive vice president.

Availability

The EDK with Platform Studio 6.2i is priced at $495 including a license for the MicroBlaze soft processor, and is available now. It supports PowerPC and MicroBlaze soft processor designs for Xilinx's Virtex-II Pro, Virtex-II Pro X, and Spartan-3 Series FPGAs. The EDK can be hosted on Linux, Solaris, or Windows 2000/XP. Time limited evaluation versions of ISE 6.2i, ChipScope Pro, and partner tools are included as well. EDK v6.2i updates are available free for licensed users from the Xilinx Website.

 
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