Pittsburgh, PA — (press release) — TimeSys Corporation today announced the immediate availability of its TimeSys Linux/RT 1.0, a real-time version of Linux. TimeSys Linux/RT is an open-source solution that extends the Linux kernel to provide predictable real-time response entirely from the Linux OS.

Dr. Raj Rajkumar1, cofounder and chairman of TimeSys, stated, “TimeSys Linux/RT directly extends the Linux kernel, rather than adding a non-Linux RTOS layer between Linux and the system hardware. By enhancing the actual operating system, engineers can build hard real-time systems using TimeSys Linux/RT, while enjoying the reliability, stability and the wide availability of drivers and applications for the Linux OS.”

The TimeSys Linux/RT distribution includes subsystems that combine to offer a scalable and highly innovative approach to meeting real-time and QoS (Quality of Service) constraints. Developers can combine these subsystems to handle a variety of application requirements from small footprint to full-featured architectures. That most critical subsystem is the Resource Kernel (RK), originally developed at Carnegie Mellon University. The RK supports fixed-priority scheduling (with 256 priorities) and priority inheritance, characteristics that can be used for constructing systems to provide guaranteed and bounded response times. The RK supports high-resolution timers and clocks and offers unique support for a Temporal Firewall that provides guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS) for application execution.

“Response time is becoming more and more critical in an ever-increasing number of embedded applications, whether or not their developers perceive them as real-time. Developers can now ensure that response times can be met predictably, without depending on only error-prone testing and tuning at the end of the system integration cycle,” said Dr. Doug Locke, TimeSys vice president of technology.

“TimeSys Linux/RT distribution, along with TimeSys' SuiteTime family of products, provide a strong foundation for successfully building embedded real-time systems with predictable timing properties the first time, every time, while offering significant cost savings during integration and testing” added Locke.

“Many of our customers who are building components of the telecommunications infrastructure and embedded multimedia devices are looking for effective platforms, tools and expert support to leverage the benefits of the open-source Linux OS. We are confident that TimeSys Linux/RT will meet their needs,” said Srini Vasan, cofounder and CEO of TimeSys. “Our forthcoming products and tools, including a real-time Java virtual machine will provide comprehensive solutions to our customers.”

TimeSys will continue to release code modifications and to provide enhancements to the open-source community.

Pricing and Availability

The TimeSys Linux/RT distribution and supporting tools, TimeWiz and TimeTrace, are available immediately from TimeSys. The distribution, available free from www.timesys.com for downloading, is also available in three different editions for purchase, all of which come with limited installation support. The Standard Edition consists of the TimeSys Linux/RT distribution on two CDs and is priced at $49.00(US). The Deluxe Edition, priced at $99.00(US), adds hardcopy user and programmer manuals to the distribution. The Professional Edition is priced at $199.00(US) and adds extended installation support, TimeTrace (a measurement and visualization tool) for TimeSys Linux/RT and a T-shirt. TimeSys also provides a complete set of customization, consulting and training services. Contact TimeSys for further details.

About TimeSys Corporation

TimeSys Corporation, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a one-stop shop of comprehensive solutions for all real-time system needs. TimeSys strong platform technologies include the TimeSys Linux/RT and Real-Time Java SuiteTime. An expanding family of tools, including TimeWiz and TimeTrace, add significant productivity enhancements to the platforms. TimeSys also provides expert consulting, customization and training services. TimeSys is an active member of the Real-Time UML and Real-Time CORBA working groups. The TimeSys customer base includes companies in telecommunications, automotive systems, consumer electronics, avionics, and defense.

 
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