Green Hills Software has significantly extended its support to include Texas Instruments’ new AM26x microcontroller platform, greatly enhancing development efficiency for safety-critical systems. This initiative integrates robust hardware with certified software solutions to optimize the embedded system development process. Ensuring seamless workflow from creation to deployment, the collaboration paves the way for rapid, efficient, and secure development cycles.
Integrated Solution for Enhanced Development
Hardware and Software Combination
Green Hills Software offers a uniquely combined platform that dramatically reduces the development time required for complex and code-intensive embedded systems. Integrating with Texas Instruments’ AM26x high-performance microcontrollers, this platform ensures that the entire workflow from creation to deployment is seamless and efficient. The flexibility provided by this integration is particularly beneficial for developers working on high-stakes projects where both performance and reliability are paramount.
The AM26x platform includes a range of microcontrollers, such as the AM263x, AM263Px, and AM261x MCUs, specifically designed to meet advanced real-time processing needs. By aligning their development tools with this powerful hardware, Green Hills Software enables developers to tackle highly complex, safety-critical tasks faster and more efficiently. The combination allows for the optimization of motor control, digital power applications, and even automated factory systems, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of industries.
Safety Certification and Real-Time OS
A core component of the Green Hills solution is the ISO 26262 ASIL D-certified real-time operating system (RTOS), µ-velOSity. This small footprint, high-performance RTOS is tailored for both industrial and automotive applications, satisfying rigorous safety certification requirements. µ-velOSity addresses the needs of automated factories and software-defined vehicle electronics, ensuring real-time processing and advanced motor-control topologies.
In addition to real-time performance, µ-velOSity provides robust safety certifications, making it suitable for various critical applications. The RTOS supports multiple certifications, including IEC 61508 for industrial applications, EN 50128/50657 for railways, and ISO 26262 for automotive systems. With these certifications, developers can confidently deploy systems that not only perform well but also meet stringent safety standards, an essential requirement for industries where failure is not an option.
Tools and Features for Streamlined Development
Comprehensive Development Tools
Green Hills Software integrates a suite of advanced tools designed to streamline the development process. Central to this integration is the µ-velOSity RTOS, known for its efficiency and reliability in managing real-time tasks. Additionally, the MULTI IDE with multicore debugging capabilities helps developers efficiently navigate complex codebases. This development environment provides a straightforward and user-friendly interface for managing code, compiling, and debugging.
Another critical tool is the TimeMachine, which offers trace-powered debugging allowing developers to navigate forward and backward in program execution. This feature is invaluable for diagnosing and fixing bugs quickly, thereby reducing overall time spent on error correction. Coupled with the History® Viewer, developers can visualize system events over time, correlating them directly with source code changes. This comprehensive toolset ensures that the development and debugging processes are as efficient and productive as possible.
Advanced Debugging Capabilities
TimeMachine’s advanced debugging capabilities are a cornerstone of Green Hills Software’s development tools. The ability to trace program execution forwards and backwards allows developers to identify the root of problems rapidly. This capability significantly expedites the debugging process, particularly in complex systems where pinpointing errors can be extremely challenging.
The History® Viewer further enhances debugging by providing a clear visualization of system events in relation to the source code. This tool enables developers to trace events, understand their sequence, and see how different parts of the code interact over time. By offering both a macro and micro perspective of system operations, developers can isolate and resolve issues more efficiently. These advanced debugging capabilities, together with robust development tools, ensure a streamlined process from initial coding to final deployment.
High-Performance and Security Features
Safety and Security Built-In
The AM26x MCU platform is designed with an emphasis on safety and security, integrating up to four 400MHz Arm Cortex-R5F cores. These cores can operate in lockstep or dual-core mode, supporting the highest safety certifications such as ISO 26262 ASIL D, IEC 61508 SIL 3, and EN 50128/50657 SIL 4. These features ensure that the hardware is capable of meeting the rigorous standards required in safety-critical applications.
Security features are equally robust, including built-in cryptographic acceleration and secure boot capabilities through a Hardware Security Module (HSM). Error-Correcting Code (ECC) memory, Built-In Self-Test (BIST), and processor integrity checking further enhance system reliability. These attributes combined make the AM26x MCU platform an ideal choice for applications where security and system integrity are non-negotiable.
Optimized Compilers and Static Analysis
Green Hills Software supplies optimizing compilers for C/C++ that are designed to deliver the highest performance with the smallest code size. These compilers are integral to producing efficient, reliable code that runs optimally on the AM26x hardware. The DoubleCheck™ static source code analysis tool is another key feature, performing checks at both link and compile times to detect potential issues early in the development cycle.
Early detection and resolution of issues are crucial in reducing development time and costs, and the DoubleCheck™ tool plays a vital role in this regard. Furthermore, integrating the MISRA C Adherence Wizard ensures that code adheres to industry-standard safety guidelines, maintaining high quality and reliability. Together, these tools guarantee that developers can produce optimized, high-performance code while adhering to stringent safety requirements.
Comprehensive Suite of Tools and Services
Efficient Development Workflow
The comprehensive suite of tools and services provided by Green Hills Software ensures an efficient and streamlined development workflow. The suite includes advanced debugging tools such as TimeMachine and History® Viewer, safety-certified libraries, and the MISRA C Adherence Wizard. These elements come together to simplify the development of safety-critical software, enabling developers to navigate the complexities of embedded system design with confidence and precision.
Green Hills Software’s collaboration with Texas Instruments’ AM26x MCUs ensures that developers have access to a highly integrated and optimized platform. This synergy between hardware and software guarantees a streamlined pathway for meeting stringent safety requirements efficiently. The holistic approach adopted by Green Hills Software encompasses both advanced hardware capabilities and mature, safety-certified software components, establishing a solid foundation for developers aiming to meet high standards of system safety and performance.
End-to-End Support for Developers
Green Hills Software has broadened its support to encompass Texas Instruments’ new AM26x microcontroller platform, significantly boosting development efficiency for systems where safety is paramount. This collaboration melds robust hardware with certified software solutions, optimizing the embedded system development process. By integrating cutting-edge technology with reliable software, the initiative aims to streamline the entire workflow, ensuring a smooth transition from creation to deployment. Developers now benefit from enhanced tools that promote rapid, secure, and efficient development cycles. This partnership between Green Hills Software and Texas Instruments sets a new standard in the industry, allowing for the creation of highly reliable systems that meet stringent safety requirements. It’s a leap forward in embedded system development, promising faster and more secure solutions for applications where dependability is critical. The resulting synergy from this collaboration not only improves performance but also significantly reduces time-to-market, providing substantial advantages for engineers and developers alike.
