Ampro™ Computers unveils new platform to speed an simplify embedded design with high-performance CPUs
The EnCore platform encapsulates a complete single-board computer (SBC) in a small module that interfaces with a host baseboard via the PCI bus and a set of I/O signals supporting direct peripheral and network connection. It significantly enhances time-to-market for embedded systems that combine a standard 32- or 64-bit processor subsystem with application-specific logic.
Since the baseboard interface is the industry-standard PCI bus and I/O, the EnCore platform transparently supports a wide variety of complex- and reduced-instruction set (CISC and RISC) processor architectures. While the first EnCore module introduced today is based on Pentium technology, Ampro expects it will offer as many as five EnCore modules to the market within the next eighteen months supporting both additional Intel architectures and RISC processor technologies.
"Relatively few high volume applications can justify the design of a custom ASIC based on a high performance CPU core," stated Paul Rosenfeld, Ampro's Vice President of Marketing. "The vast majority of embedded designers must utilize a CPU subsystem constructed with off-the-shelf components."
Until now, Mr. Rosenfeld explained, designers could either design a CPU subsystem into their product or choose an off-the-shelf computer board that either requires a bulky card cage and backplane (such as VME or CPCI) or some other fixed form-factor bus expansion (such as EBX or PC/104) for their application-specific logic. Many designers have chosen to design their own CPU subsystem, in spite of the extended design time and headaches associated with porting software to their unique system architecture. "With EnCore modules," he stated, "designers have a third choice: incorporate a proven CPU subsystem and common peripherals with out-of-the-box software support without packaging or form-factor constraints imposed on their application-specific logic board."
The EnCore platform works like a high-integration chip, interfacing directly to a designer's form-factor independent system board containing application-specific logic and I/O connections. EnCore technology coupled with advanced real-time operating systems (RTOS) allows designers to focus their design resources on their application-specific system board and application software. All that is needed for the computing subsystem is a powerful EnCore module with the CPU of their choice.
"The EnCore Platform frees OEMs to focus on their unique product capabilities instead of designing computers", said Joe Byrne, embedded analyst, Dataquest. "What Ampro Computers is doing makes a lot of sense. I see a lot of advantages from combining the values of an off-the-shelf CPU subsystem with OEM's application-specific logic. The ability to choose the optimal CPU from among several RISC or CISC processors offers an unusual bonus to designing with this technology."
Software Enables Flexibility
One of the key enablers of the EnCore platform is the ability to write application software to a particular RTOS API in C, C++ or Java and then easily move the application to different processors supported by that RTOS. Ampro, in partnership with key RTOS suppliers, will develop and support EnCore-specific adaptations of leading RTOS, including Board Support Packages (BSPs) which will insure that an RTOS boots on an EnCore-based system out-of-the-box.
Ampro Computers, Inc., 5215 Hellyer Avenue #110, San Jose, CA 95138-1002 . Tel: 408-360-0200; Fax: 408-360-0222.