Software Design Tools

Software now dominates the design process; according to some estimates, software development can now consume up to 70% of a project’s resources.

Traditionally, software development started when the hardware arrived, but not any more: complex SoCs and similar devices require equally complex software and that is taking longer to develop than the hardware. So software designers are using virtual prototypes to get their projects started in time to meet the deadlines.

But there are also operating systems, which manage this growing complexity. The choices are numerous and have an impact at the system level as well as the deeply embedded. And C is no longer the only programming language.

Whether you’re developing software for a simple microcontroller based system or are part of a team targeting an SoC, New Electronics addresses the issues regularly by looking at the latest tools and techniques available to embedded software developers.

News

BeagleBone Black brings Cortex-A8 processing capability for $45

Beagleboard.org has released the latest in its line of open source development boards aimed at users ranging from engineers to visual artists.

DesignSpark PCB v5.0 launched with two time saving features

RS Components has unveiled the latest release of DesignSpark PCB. Version 5.0 of the free design tool integrates two additional features – online Design Rule ...

Board tracking technology available free of charge in trial service

Murata and rfid partner Beta Layout have launched a prototype trial service for Magicstrap based pcb rfid devices.

Atom powers SBC in a range of rugged environments

WinSystems has introduced a PC/104-Plus compatible single board computer (SBC) powered by an Intel 1.66GHz Atom processor.

PICMG 1.0 format board boasts quad core cpu

DSM Computer says its industrial slot cpu, the 96M4297o, conforms to the PICMG 1.0 standard. However, to provide high computing and graphical performance, the ...

Technology

Issues and solutions for variation aware custom IC design

In today's highly competitive semiconductor industry, profitability hinges largely on advantageous design performance, high yield and rapid time to market. As ...

The best route to avoiding counterfeit electronics

It's been discussed and analysed for years, yet there does not seem to be an end in sight for the trade in counterfeit electronics.

Will AMD's Fusion architecture meet the needs of ETX and XTX based designs?

The discontinuation last year by Intel of the Pentium M and Celeron M processors and the 855/852 chipsets raised doubts about the future of the ETX and XTX ...

Easing design headaches with programmable supplies

Power supplies with digital control are gaining in popularity. However the term 'digital control' has two quite different meanings.

Can a cable be just 'a cable'?

Putting the 'smarts' in SpaceWire cables. By Christophe Rouaud and Matthieu Salanave.

Products

Wire to board connectors offer reliable connection at low cost

CamdenBoss has launched two new series of wire to board connectors designed to provide solid and reliable connections at low cost.

Starter kit for STM32F407ZG microcontroller

IAR Systems has announced a new 32bit kit for STMicroelectronics' first ARM Cortex-M4 based microcontroller series, STM32 F4.

Hermetically sealed, mil spec connectors

Interconnect component specialist, NYK Component Solutions has signed an exclusive UK and Europe wide distribution agreement with US based hermetically sealed ...

Dual output gate driver evaluation board

SemiSouth Laboratories has announced the SGDR2500P2, a dual output gate driver evaluation board.

Advanced LIN physical layer devices

Freescale Semiconductor has announced an advanced family of local interconnect network (LIN) physical layer components.

Interviews

Herbert Truppe, director, austriamicrosystems

Herbert Truppe, director, Product Management & Application, austriamicrosystems, talks to New Electronics about how he believes improved pcb design capability ...

Patrick Zammit, president, Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA

Patrick Zammit, president, Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA, talks with Chris Shaw.

Keate Despain, senior director of product line marketing, Radisys

Keate Despain, senior director of product line marketing, Radisys, talks with Chris Shaw

Most popular

Low pin count mcus

Fujitsu has extended its ARM Cortex-M3 based microcontroller family to include new low pin count versions.

DesignSpark PCB v5.0 launched

RS Components has unveiled the latest release of DesignSpark PCB. Version 5.0 of the free design tool integrates ...

NXP acquires software firm

As part of a strategic move to expand its microcontroller business, NXP has entered into an agreement to acquire ...

Powerful system design

Power system designers need to apply and remove power in a predetermined and device dependent sequence.

Focus on: Programmable logic

In the world of programmable logic, the phrase 'ultra low density' stands out starkly. The reason? Over the years, ...

Vendors make core decisions

When ARM launched the Cortex-M0 core in February 2009, it had a particular market sector in mind.

Low cost mcus from TI

Texas Instruments has expanded its MSP430 series of low cost microcontrollers to include two new devices.

Microchip expands PIC24 series

Adding to its range of 16bit PIC microcontrollers, Microchip has introduced the PIC24F 'KM' family.

High speed PCIe MiniCard

Diamond Systems has introduced a new four-port high speed PCIe MiniCard for serial I/O expansion in embedded and ...

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