Freescale Semiconductor's in-vehicle telematics development platform now supports a cross-platform development framework from Tilcon. Tilcon's Interface Development Suite for Freescale's “Media5200” platform lets developers create advanced 2D/3D UIs (user interfaces), for automotive navigation and telematics… applications, that are portable across several embedded operating systems including Linux, according to the companies.

(Click for larger view of Media5200)

Freescale's Media5200 development platform is based on Freescale's MPC5200 telematics processor, which is powered by a 400MHz PowerPC 603e core that includes integrated CAN bus, Ethernet, audio, graphics, and external memory interfaces.

Media5200 function block diagram
(Click to enlarge)
Tilcon says its IDS development framework has been used to build interfaces for medical devices, transportation systems, and industrial automation. For telematics applications, it can help developers build “fast, flicker-free interfaces, instrument clusters, and complex visualization systems,” according to the company. Once completed, all screens will run unchanged on leading OSes, Tilcon said, including Linux, QNX, VxWorks, and others.

Tilcon IDS screenshots
(Click to enlarge)
According to Mike Bryars, manager of Freescale's telematics operation, the two companies are collaborating on “developing performance-optimized graphics hardware/software stacks designed to take advantage of the integrated hardware acceleration technology and high-speed rendering capabilities of our current and next-generation processors for telematics.”

Tilcon VP of marketing Prosanto Sarkar added, “Customers who want to deliver rich 2D and 3D display functionality will be able to leverage the powerful combination of the Tilcon IDS and Freescale's Media5200 processors and development tools.”

Availability

Freescale's Media5200 telematics development kit appears to be available now. As part of Freescale's “MobileGT” partner program, it appears to support embedded OSes that include Denx Linux, Metrowerks Linux, MontaVista Linux, Wind River VxWorks, Green Hills Integrity, Metrowerks OSEKturbo, and IBM WebSphere J9.

Pricing and availability of the Tilcon IDS for the Media5200 were not disclosed.

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