San Jose, CA and Pittsburgh, PA — Ampro Computers Inc. and TimeSys Corp. announced that they will jointly supply a complete Linux operating system and development environment to accelerate the deployment of Ampro's EnCore single-board computer products in next generation OEM devices using embedded Linux. TimeSys was named as the exclusive Linux for distribution with Ampro's QuickStart Development Kits for MIPS, PowerPC, and x86 architectures.

Ampro's EnCore modules are similar in concept to high-integration chips, interfacing directly to a designer's form-factor-independent system board containing application-specific logic and I/O connections. EnCore technology coupled with embedded operating systems allows designers to focus their design resources on their application-specific system board and application software. EnCore modules interface to a baseboard through up to 272 pins that provide the PCI bus, I/O signals and power and ground. A typical EnCore module includes CPU, 10/100 BaseT Ethernet, up to 512MB DRAM, sound, flash memory, serial, parallel and USB ports with support for IDE compatible devices. It may also include a 3D graphics controller. EnCore modules are 100mm x 145mm (3.94 x 5.70 in.), allowing wide flexibility in baseboard footprint.

The first result of the partnership will be the release of TimeSys Linux for Ampro's EnCore PP1 module based on a 300MHz Motorola MPC8245 PowerPC processor. The software will be provided with Ampro's $795 EnCore PP1 QuickStart Kit, and will be available for download from the TimeSys website.

 
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