MontaVista Software has introduced a new Linux Support Package (LSP) designed specifically for the Freescale QorIQ P4080 multicore communications processor. Demonstrated at the Freescale Technology Forum, this software allows embedded developers to evaluate and build multicore applications on a simulated version of the P4080 processor well ahead of the hardware’s expected release.
The QorIQ P4080 is the first product in Freescale’s P4 platform series, integrating eight Power Architecture cores with datapath acceleration logic and various network and peripheral bus interfaces. By providing a commercial Linux environment for this architecture early in the design cycle, the collaboration aims to reduce time to market for complex networking and communications devices.
MontaVista Linux Professional Edition 5.0 and the DevRocket integrated development environment (IDE) have been specifically optimized to leverage this multicore architecture. These tools allow designers to manage the high-performance capabilities of the eight-core system.
“MontaVista Linux drives millions of devices today on Freescale PowerQUICC processors, and Freescale QorIQ platforms are the next generation of that thriving hardware family,” said Jim Ready, CTO and founder, MontaVista Software. “MontaVista Linux has supported multicore and dual core processors for some time. We have worked closely with Freescale to extend our multicore support so developers can jump-start their efforts to build applications that leverage the QorIQ P4 platform’s rich functionality and high performance.”
The partnership between the two companies extends beyond the P4080, as MontaVista currently provides support for other dual-core Power Architecture processors, including the MPC8641D and MPC8572. This latest development provides a pathway for designers currently using PowerQUICC processors to migrate to the next generation of multicore silicon.
“Having commercial Linux running on a multicore platform before silicon is available is a major achievement,” said Lynelle McKay, senior vice president and general manager for Freescale Semiconductor’s Networking and Multimedia Group. “Working closely with MontaVista, we are providing embedded developers with a way to integrate their applications on the QorIQ P4080 platform using MontaVista Linux much earlier.”
The software support for the P4080 is scheduled for wider availability in the third quarter of 2008 through the MontaVista TestDrive program, offering design teams a no-cost method to begin technical evaluations.
