[Updated Nov. 17, 2004] — TimeSys has added several 2.6-based Linux BSPs (board support packages) to its line of freely downloadable BSPs. TimeSys BSPs provide a kernel, device drivers, and over a hundred root filesystem packages in a single downloadable image. TimeSys now offers BSPs with tools for 90 targets.

TimeSys BSPs are usable as standalone software development environments, the company says, although they work best with TimeStorm Linux Development Suite (LDS), TimeSys's Eclipse 3.0-based IDE (integrated development environment). TimeSys says TimeStorm enables programmers to rapidly develop and debug applications, or further optimize the Linux kernel and filesystems for their target platform.

TimeSys BSPs are available bundled with the TimeStorm tools, in “Linux Development Kits” (LDKs), which also include a hardware-optimized 2.6-based Linux distribution and preemptible kernel, TimeSys says.

TimeSys was an early proponent of the 2.6 kernel for embedded systems, and Product Manager Bill von Hagen — also a well-known Linux book author — produced a timely series of whitepapers about the 2.6 kernel, followed by another whitepaper series about using Eclipse-based tools.

CEO Larry Weidman said, “TimeSys is committed to accelerating the adoption of embedded Linux by making 2.6 Board Support Packages for popular PowerPC and x86 architectures freely available for download. We are continuing our practice of making the latest Linux distributions and resources widely available.”

The free TimeSys BSPs for PPC and x86 are available for download from TimeSys's Learning Center (registration required). The following free BSPs are available now:

 
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