XMOS targets embedded market with new tools and IP offering
1 min read
Processor specialist XMOS has developed new tools and IP for its xCORE family of deterministic, multicore, flexible microcontrollers.
The new xTIMEcomposer Studio development environment is said to enable up to 60% improvements in run time performance, a code size reduction of up to 17% and a compile time reduction of up to 40%.
In addition, the xSOFTip IP library has been extended to offer users expanded functionality for the company's key markets, including automotive, audio, consumer and industrial.
According to XMOS' president and ceo Nigel Toon, the xCORE multicore microcontrollers offer significant advantages over traditional mcus, with the xTIMEcomposer and xSOFTip allowing developers familiar with C to access deterministic multicore performance more easily than before.
The xCORE multicore microcontroller architecture is optimised to provide low latency, fast I/O response and deterministic performance, while the xTIMEcomposer and xSOFTip are optimised to allow embedded designers to harness these capabilities entirely within a software based design flow.
xTIMEcomposer allows embedded designers to develop complex systems using xCORE multicore microcontroller devices in a familiar graphical design environment. The xTIMEcomposer suite includes static timing analysis and cycle accurate simulation tools to make it easy for designers to meet precise real time requirements.
"System designers understand the limitations of traditional 8, 16 and 32bit mcus in embedded applications, but they like their ease of use and simple development environments," Toon commented. "They are now looking to multicore alternatives that can meet critical I/O response times, perform multiple tasks concurrently and support new interface standards: but they want the same easy to use development environment.
"As embedded systems continue to become more complex, xCORE, supported by xTIMEcomposer and xSOFTip, meets this rapidly growing need."
Launched as a complement to xTIMEcomposer, the xSOFTip library consists of more than 40 soft peripheral IP and processing blocks that can be used to configure xCORE multicore microcontrollers.
A new, free to download GUI based tool called xSOFTip Explorer has also been made available to allow developers to easily browse available xSOFTip blocks and quickly configure xCORE devices with the interfaces and peripherals they need.
