Xilinx Unveils Linux OS-Based Asymmetric Multi-Processing Solution Supporting Zynq-7000 EPP at Embedded World 2012

Visit Xilinx at Embedded World to see how Xilinx is taking the pain out of building Linux OS-Based Real-Time Multi-Core processing systems

NUREMBERG, Germany, Feb. 28, 2012  -- Embedded World 2012 – Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ: XLNX) today announced open-source Linux Asymmetric Multi-Processing (AMP) support for its extensible processing platform (EPP), enabling developers to put Zynq™-7000 devices to work on applications that need to deliver deterministic, real-time responsiveness for markets such as automotive, industrial and others with similar requirements. Using open-source Linux and FreeRTOS operating systems and the RPMsg Inter Processor Communication (IPC) framework between the Zynq EPP's two high-performance ARM® Cortex™-A9 processors, Xilinx is able to simplify the implementation of AMP systems so system software developers can build their systems quickly.

At Embedded World 2012, in Hall 1, Booth 205 Xilinx is demonstrating the AMP solution along with other embedded systems driven by Zynq-7000 EPP devices as well as Kintex™-7 and Spartan®-6 FPGAs leveraging the MicroBlaze™ soft processor.

"High-performance, multi-core processor systems are becoming more common, but they are not always effective at providing real-time performance, especially when running complex operating systems such as Linux," said Xilinx Vice President of Processing Platforms, Lawrence Getman. "Xilinx's offering is a pre-canned AMP solution that utilizes the best of both worlds in what a high-level, application-specific Linux OS and RTOS has to offer. Our solution built with Xilinx Alliance Program member PetaLogix also serves as a starting point for developers with custom AMP mechanisms to integrate their own solutions."

In a real-time system, responses to events must occur within a fixed, predetermined time, which can be a difficult task to achieve when the required response time is short and must be handled in a safety relevant manner. Automotive driver assistance applications, or next-generation industrial control systems which integrate the control loop with motor control and safety supervision, are examples of such systems. Multiple events must be processed in these systems, leading to multiple responses, each with a different timing requirement. Implementing a real-time system using the Xilinx® AMP solution with the Zynq-7000 EPP means that one processor can run Linux as the master OS, while the other runs the smaller FreeRTOS OS which focuses exclusively on real-time functions, essentially controlling the complex computational capabilities and data processing that's performed in the device's integrated 28nm programmable logic. Communications between the two processors is carried out using the RPMsg standard.

"Delivered as source code, documentation and reference examples, PetaLogix has worked with Xilinx to design and deliver a light-weight solution leveraging FreeRTOS and RPMsg that enables customers to easily create their real-time asymmetric multi-core processing systems on the Zynq-7000 EPP," said Dr. John Williams, Founder and CEO at PetaLogix. "RPMsg is emerging as a compelling framework for Linux-based asymmetric multiprocessor systems, and in conjunction with our PetaLinux SDK Zynq Edition tools will deliver the flexibility and ease of use of Linux, with the real-time capabilities of FreeRTOS."

About the Zynq-7000 EPP

The Zynq-7000 family is Xilinx's first extensible processing platform (EPP) which delivers levels of performance that go beyond what traditional processing solutions can implement. The new class of semiconductor device combines an industry-standard ARM dual-core Cortex-A9 MPCore processing system with Xilinx 28nm scalable programmable logic architecture. Well suited for systems that require high, real-time performance, the Zynq-7000 EPP processor-centric architecture offers the flexibility and scalability of an FPGA combined with ASIC-like performance/power and microprocessor ease of programming.

Emulation platforms, hardware development tools, Open Source Linux support and the Extensible Virtual Platform developed jointly with Cadence Design Systems, Inc. all help to make developing and implementing Zynq-7000 EPP systems possible. A growing list of OS support is adding to an expanding ecosystem offering embedded tool and software development solutions.

Availability

The Linux OS-based Asymmetric Multi-Processing (AMP) solution for the Zynq-7000 EPP is being demonstrated at Embedded World 2012, booth 205. Beta is planned for March 2012, with general release in April 2012. Zynq-7000 device samples are available today. For more information about Zynq-7000 devices and Open Source Linux, please visit www.xilinx.com/zynq.

About Xilinx

Xilinx is the worldwide leader in complete programmable logic solutions. For more information, visit http://www.xilinx.com/.