MontaVista Linux To Support Intel’s Next-Gen Wireless Processor

In a move that highlights the accelerated adoption of Linux into the consumer electronics marketplace, MontaVista Software has announced that its Linux Consumer Electronics Edition (CEE) now supports the recently unveiled next-generation Intel processor for wireless devices, code-named Bulverde.

MontaVista Linux Consumer Electronics Edition 3.0 is one of the first commercial-quality Linux operating systems and cross-development environments specifically designed for consumer electronics devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, digital televisions, set-top boxes, automotive telematics and portable media players.

The Bulverde processor — which MontaVista has now targeted — is based on the Intel XScale technology and is designed for wireless and connected devices, such as mobile phones and PDAs.

The upcoming processor will add several new features to current XScale technology, including helping wireless devices capture high-quality still and video pictures through Intel’s “quick capture” technology; extending battery life with Intel’s SpeedStep technology; and delivering better multimedia performance than earlier processors through Intel’s Wireless MMX technology.

Mobile Requirements

MontaVista developed the CEE to address many of the requirements of mobile consumer electronics devices, specifically reduced boot and shutdown times, improved real-time response, reduced ROM/RAM size use and dynamic power management. Phone manufacturers — such as Motorola and NEC — already have announced next-generation handsets and development efforts based on MontaVista Linux.

“As mobile phone and wireless handheld device technologies continue to advance, users expect more functionality and an experience that exceeds simply placing calls or organizing information,” said Hans Geyer, Intel vice president and general manager of the company’s components group.

“The combination of CEE and Bulverde creates a powerful enabling platform for OEMs,” said Geyer. “Intel is pleased that MontaVista Linux CEE will be supporting the Bulverde processor.”

Portable Products

To facilitate the ongoing adoption of data services and applications, manufacturers of wireless consumer devices need underlying technology to deliver multimedia capabilities with lower power consumption. These embedded technologies must deliver high performance while meeting the small-size and low-power requirements of these portable, battery-operated products.

“Only a sophisticated embedded operating system and development environment such as MontaVista Linux CEE can take advantage of the highly integrated Bulverde platform,” said Kevin Morgan, vice president of engineering at MontaVista Software.

“At the same time,” he said, “the combined hardware-software synergy offers low power consumption, reduced memory footprint and high integration with peripheral devices.”

Mobile, Home and Auto

MontaVista Linux Consumer Electronics Edition 3.0 is targeted specifically toward mobile, home and automotive markets. CEE is tailored to constrained devices that require low power consumption and memory size as well as short boot and resume times.

CEE 3.0 incorporates file-system enhancements and new tools to measure performance, system timing and memory size. MontaVista Linux CEE supports eXecute In Place (XIP) of the kernel and applications as well as streaming media optimizations.

CEE with support for the new Intel Bulverde processors is available now. It is offered as a product subscription that provides customers with the MontaVista Linux kernel, utilities, development tools, software updates, deployment components, access to the MontaVista Zone, technical support and hands-on Linux training classes.