Product category: Embedded Software and Operating Systems
News Release from: Accelerated Technology | Subject: Edge version 1.2
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 23 March 2006

Tool suite supports
latest open framework

The latest release of the Edge tool suite supports Eclipse 3.1, the latest version of the open framework

Accelerated Technology has developed a new version of its Edge tool suite that supports Eclipse 3.1, the latest version of the open framework. The Edge version 1.2 suite provides embedded systems developers with a complete, integrated tool solution that includes an integrated development environment (IDE), debugger, profiler, compiler, unified modelling language (UML) tools, Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) connection device and prototyping tools.

The tool suite supports the ARM, MicroBlaze, MIPS, Nios II and PowerPC families of processors.

Eclipse 3.1 introduces various enhancements to its framework, most notably improved operation performance, that Edge Tool Suite users can now take advantage.

Because the Edge tool suite is based on a standard, unmodified version of Eclipse, Edge developers benefit from the ability to use all of the plug-ins provided by the Eclipse community, which add value to the Eclipse framework.

New features of the Edge software include dynamic variant support (DVS), which allows embedded developers to easily target variants of currently supported processor families.

For instance, a user may add a variant of the PowerPC family by simply dropping in additional XML files that describe the new processor.

Also, new target support packages make it easier for users to apply the Edge tools to new embedded development boards.

Additionally, developers can now benefit from a new fully automated function that allows the debugger to connect to an embedded target.

These new features enable users to be up and running quickly out of the box for faster product development.

The Edge Profiler software, part of the Edge tool suite, has previously used a serial interface to move collected data from the target to the host for analysis.

Now, in addition to the serial interface option, the updated Edge Profiler software uses an Ethernet channel to communicate with the target board.

Because throughput is faster using Ethernet versus serial, collecting profiling data on the embedded application is greatly improved.

The Ethernet channel uses the IP stack so that the Edge Profiler can gather data from remote locations without requiring a direct connection between the host and the target.

The Edge Profiler now also contains downloadable filters, which give users complete control over collected data.

This allows developers to collect only the specific data required for diagnosing a problem, thereby minimising the impact that the profiler might have on the embedded system's behaviour.

An added benefit of using the filters is that data collection can be changed dynamically.

The target agent doesn't have to recompile to change captured events.

'This release of the Edge Tool Suite gives our users what they have been asking for: more performance and ease of use'.

'Because our tools are built on the Eclipse framework, customers are getting all the value we have added, plus the benefit of the work done by the Eclipse community', said Glen Johnson, Product Marketing Manager, Accelerated Technology Division, Mentor Graphics.

'Accelerated Technology's Edge tool chain is a great example of how Eclipse can be used in a commercial environment'.

'Basing their tool chain around Eclipse allows Accelerated Technology to focus on adding incremental value, rather than implementing common IDE features', said Mike Milinkovich, Executive Director of the Eclipse Foundation.

The Edge software suite comprises years of technology development.

It gives embedded developers tighter tool integration, total control over the quality and stability of their applications, full control of release cycles, shorter learning curves and a common platform with desktop tools.

Licences for the complete Edge tools software package begin at US $3000 per seat.

• Accelerated Technology: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page

Search the Pro-Talk network of sites

Put your news on Electronicstalk  |   Advertise  |   Get the free Electronicstalk newsletter
Electronicstalk Home  |   About Electronicstalk  |   Copyright © 2000-2007 Pro-Talk Ltd, UK