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Software provides open source API to run on embedded computing platforms

Mon, Feb 25, 2019

An updated version of Xsens’ MT software suite provides enhanced support for the NMEA interface for marine electronics, which is claimed to make calibration easier for end users, and improve the developer graphical user (GUI) interface, says the company.

The open source applications programming interface (API) enables users to develop applications to run on many embedded computing platforms. The software suite is an upgraded version of the existing software package for Xsens’ MTi-series of industrial motion trackers. An updated GUI for the MT Software development kit has improved signposting of functions.

The open source API is called XDA (Xsens Device API) and is intended for use on any computing platform that runs a Windows or Linux operating system. While many developers will continue to create applications to run on a PC or laptop, increasing numbers are developing prototypes and finished products on third party embedded computing platforms such as Raspberry Pi or Beagleboard.

The XDA in MT software suite 2019 gives developers access to the code for the first time to enable them to compile it for these platforms, for other third-party boards, or for proprietary embedded computing platforms. They can also modify or extend the XDA to support the particular requirements of their development project.

The XDA is also claimed to greatly facilitate debugging and application problem-solving, as users can now see in detail the message flow between an MTi-series module and the host application.

Users can now choose from hundreds of commercial hardware development platforms that support the Windows or Linux environments, says the company. There are also enhancements to the user experience and extended message support for working with Xsens motion tracking modules.

Enhancements to the MT software suite 2019 release include extended National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) message support, helping developers integrate an MTi module more easily with third-party equipment. There is also a uniform set of application examples across all supported programming languages, for greater consistency of user experience and an upgraded magnetic field mapping function which makes it easier for the end user to perform a calibration routine for any MTi-series module.

The MT Software Suite 2019 is now available for download from the Xsens website. It supports all current MTi-series products. Xsens is also providing updated firmware for all MTi modules, compatible with the new MT Software Suite 2019.

https://www.xsens.com

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Collaboration realises onboard data management for ‘data centre on wheels’

Mon, Feb 25, 2019

Solid state drives from Toshiba Memory Europe will be used in OSR’s Evolver onboard data management, or ‘data centre of wheels’ platform.

The two companies have extended their partnership to provide in-car data centre services as OEM customers are requesting ways of logging, analysing and managing the growing amounts of data.

OSR Enterprises created the Evolver automotive platform for connected, autonomous, shared and electric mobility. This announcement extends the companies’ existing collaboration to enhance live data management and logging in cars, in a vehicle’s data centre, with high-density and low-power solid state drives.

Evolver is described as an artificial intelligence (AI) ‘brain’ for smart, autonomous and securely networked vehicles. The hardware and software platform provides the computing power for the car of the future and operates as a central data hub which stores, processes and analyses real-time data for AI and analytical insights. The data and information are crucial for autonomous driving, customised user experiences and is the foundation for new automotive business models, explains OSR.

One of the elements supporting this capability is an advanced high-density in-car storage. The collaboration with Toshiba Memory Europe. The combination of the technologies ensures that the development cycles of OSR’s OEM customers are shortened, while retaining robustness for a solid development process, claims the company.

Toshiba Memory’s flash technology features high performance, low latency and high-density solid-state drives. Toshiba Memory’s CM5 NVM Express™ (NVMe) is built with its latest 64 layer, three-bit-per-cell enterprise-class TLC (triple-level cell) BiCS Flash, making today’s demanding storage environments possible. This, combined with selectable power modes in Toshiba Memory’s solid state drives (SSDs) which improve the thermal performance and heat dissipation of the system. Additionally, optimal operation and data integrity is provided by its power loss protection technology within the storage components.

OSR Enterprises is a Swiss based automotive Tier 1 supplier with R&D centres in Switzerland and Israel.

Toshiba Memory Europe is the European business of Toshiba Memory Corporation.

https://business.toshiba-memory.com

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Microprocessor adds Linux distribution to accelerate IoT innovation

Thu, Feb 21, 2019

As part of its commitment to 10-year industrial-grade supply, STMicroelectronics has introduced the STM32MP1 microprocessor series with Linux distribution. According to STMicro, the multi-core STM32MP1 architecture is particularly suited to open-source software-based applications in real-time and power-constrained sub-systems

It also reduces development time using OpenSTLinux mainlined, open-source Linux distribution and the established STM32Cube ecosystem

STMicro has applied its Arm Cortex expertise to expand the capabilities of its STM32 microcontroller to applications which require more performance, resources and large open-source software. The STM32MP1 multi-core microprocessor series has compute and graphics support combined with power-efficient real-time control to support developers of industrial, consumer, smart home, health and wellness applications.

The STM32MP1 series microprocessor uses the STM32-family ecosystem from ST and its partners, including tools and technical support.

“The STM32MP1 brings the strength of the STM32 experience to applications that need MPU compute and graphics support, combined with power efficient real-time control and high feature integration,” said Ricardo De Sa Earp, general manager of STMicroelectronics’ microcontroller division. “Our commitment to consolidating open-source Linux software and microcontroller development support, combined with the longevity that consumer-oriented alternatives cannot equal, establish solid confidence in STM32MP1 for embedded MPU projects,” he adds.

Designers can use the STM32MP1 microprocessor series to develop a range of applications using the STM32 heterogeneous architecture that combines Arm Cortex-A and Cortex-M cores. The architecture performs fast processing and real-time tasks on a single chip, always achieving the greatest power efficiency, says STMicro. For example, by stopping Cortex-A7 execution and running only from the more efficient Cortex-M4, power can typically be reduced to 25 per cent. From this mode, going to standby further cuts power by 2.5k times – while still supporting the resumption of Linux execution in one to three seconds, depending on the application.

The STM32MP1 embeds a 3D graphics processor unit (GPU) to support human machine interface (HMI) displays. It also supports a wide range of external DDR SDRAM and flash memories. The large set of peripherals can be seamlessly allocated either to Cortex-A / Linux or Cortex-M / real-time activities. The STM32MP1 series is available in a range of BGA packages to minimise PCB cost and use the smallest board space.

The release of OpenSTLinux distribution has already been reviewed and accepted by the Linux community: Linux Foundation, Yocto project and Linaro. The distribution contains all the essential building blocks for running software on the application-processor cores.

Enhanced STM32Cube tools, upgraded from the STM32Cube package for Cortex-M microcontrollers, accelerate microprocessor development using Arm Cortex-A-core MPUs.

Two evaluation boards (STM32MP157A-EV1 and STM32MP157C-EV1) and two Discovery kits (STM32MP157A-DK1 and STM32MP157C-DK2) will be available through distribution channels in April.

http://www.st.com

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u-blox adds Script option to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity software

Tue, Feb 19, 2019

For easy and interactive development of embedded applications, u-blox has developed u-connectScript and added it to the u-connectXpress software series.

The extended software series is claimed to further simplify wireless Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi device development, enabling embedded script applications in the module, and reducing complexity and time to market.

The software series manages the wireless connectivity ‘behind the scenes’ and scripting support increases development efficiency and brings the wireless technology to companies that are new to the IoT, says u-blox.

u-connectXpress was introduced more than 15 years ago and lets developers configure device connectivity without having to write and test complex code. u-blox has added to the software series so that it now comprises over 130 standard and u-blox-specific AT commands

u‑connectScript has been added to further speed up embedded device development, says u-blox. It is based on the JavaScript programming language, which has been widely adopted, and which has a short learning curve. u‑connectScript uses simple syntax to allow device developers to quickly embed Bluetooth applications right onto the module without requiring extensive experience in embedded systems programming. Developers write their applications using u-blox’s integrated development environment (IDE) or a text editor of their choice.

u-connectScript efficiently manages data flows between wireless and physical interfaces. This ensures power consumption and performance of the resulting application remains on a par with traditionally developed embedded applications; u-blox argues that this is contrary to other script solutions available in the market.

Security is fundamental and is handled behind the scenes when using any member of the u‑connect software series. Secure Boot ensures that devices only boot up in the presence of original certified software. u‑connect additionally ensures a high level of link and data security with support for Wi‑Fi enterprise security (e.g. EAP-TLS), IP end-to-end security (e.g. TLS) and LE secure connections for Bluetooth.

Applications developed for u-connectXpress or u-connectScript can be re-used across the entire product line and are forward compatible with new product generations.

u-connectXpress is available across the u-blox Short Range product portfolio. u-connectScript will be available on selected product variants, starting with the NINA-B3 module.

https://www.u-blox.com

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Software provides open source API to run on embedded computing platforms

Collaboration realises onboard data management for ‘data centre on wheels’

Microprocessor adds Linux distribution to accelerate IoT innovation

u-blox adds Script option to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity software

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