Freescale selects Mentor Graphics to develop software library

The Mentor Embedded Performance Library is designed to help Freescale's recently announced QorIQ advanced multiprocessing processors achieve maximum performance from the newest AltiVec engine, while simultaneously supporting software developer productivity. The AltiVec technology is designed to address high bandwidth data processing and algorithmic intensive computations, delivering dsp level floating point performance. AltiVec technology is built into Freescale's new multithreaded, 64bit Power Architecture e6500 core – a key element of the QorIQ AMP series. Raja Tabet, vice president of Software and Systems, Networking and Multimedia Group, Freescale Semiconductor, said: "The enhanced version of our proven and highly successful AltiVac vector processing technology is a key advantage for Freescale, and we are pleased to help enable world class software that fully leverages its benefits. We look forward to working with our strategic Linux partner, Mentor Graphics, to deliver advanced software designed to help customers differentiate and win in the market place." According to Freescale, the solution's low level library is expected to provide a robust embedded software foundation for enabling fast development of end user software. The functionality is designed to speed and simplify the development of products targeting applications such as radar/sonar image processing, target tracking, navigation systems, medical diagnostic imaging and other computationally intensive embedded applications. Glenn Perry, general manager, Mentor Graphics Embedded Software Division, pictured, said: "As Freescale's strategic Linux partner, our expertise in embedded technologies and services helps establish a comprehensive software ecosystem for Freescale customers to develop products with greater productivity and performance. The AltiVec library is yet another example of a critical resource for high performance software applications based on QorIQ AMP processors." Availability of the royalty free library is planned to coincide with initial availability of QorIQ AMP silicon.