Parallel Processing Zooms While Debugging Zags

These platforms are small because certification of large systems is impractical if not impossible. Certification is a formal process, but other developers will benefit since the same platform is usually the basis of commercial versions of the RTOS as well. This includes a range of platforms from Lynuxworks’ LynxOS-178 and LynxOS SE to DDC-I’s Deos.

The design process also needs to change, since security and safety must start to permeate the design process. It can’t be added later or by an external group. Isolation tools such as partitioned virtual-machine operating systems will help, though this only serves to prevent a problem from spreading.

VIRTAULLY SECURE • Separation is key to the virtual-machine support infiltrating the embedded space. Platforms such as Xen, KVM, VMware, and Microsoft’s Hyper-V are taking advantage of the virtual-machine hardware that’s prevalent on PC hardware. However, the more interesting software will be found in virtual-machine support on other processor architectures.

Embedded developers will look to this support primarily to address legacy code. But it also makes mixing an RTOS with an OS like Linux or Windows easier and more secure. The ability to partition for security will hopefully be a big reason, too.

SEEING SIMULATIONS • Simulation’s stock is rising, in concert with its expanding functionality. Chip simulation, system simulation, and even simulation of virtual worlds all fall into the mix.

Chip simulations are now a critical part of high-end multicore design and deployment. Software developers now can begin their programming chores well in advance of silicon.

The demand for improved simulation performance gets louder all the time. But simulation hosts are now multicore. More powerful hosts and improved simulation support will make chip simulation even more useful.