SYSGO announces flexible multi-core support in certified PikeOS

SYSGO, leading supplier of software solutions for the world's most demanding safety and security applications, announces the new 3.1 release of its flagship product PikeOS, which offers the first multi-core implementation on the market which is part of a DO-178B certified code basis.

PikeOS, the first SSV (Safe and Secure Virtualization) based product from SYSGO, continues to differentiate itself from its competitors. The new 3.1 release maintains one of the main benefits of PikeOS technology: the same core components are used whatever market segment is targeted, avionics, industrial automation, transportation, medical, etc. Contrary to others, application specifics are isolated within "Personalities", a SYSGO concept that allows all PikeOS customers to benefit from the same software layers underneath, PikeOS System Software and PikeOS micro-kernel.

The very first illustration of this product philosophy is the DO-178B certified 3.1 version: exactly the same core components are available to all customers, whether they have a certification requirement or not. This extra level of safety and security is a great advantage for systems that can also take advantage of the wide range of functionality offered through the different Personalities.

But 3.1 is the first implementation of an even more interesting feature that will be fully developed in the upcoming 4.0 version, scheduled for Q4 2010: multi-core support through a flexible approach made available to the user who can select an execution model ranging from a pure AMP (Asymmetric Multi Processing) to full SMP (Symmetric Multi Processing). The SSV design developed by SYSGO made it particularly suitable for multi-core architectures. The resource and time partitioning model makes the development of concurrent applications on multi-core platforms easier for the user: only core assignment needs new action from the user, the rest of the partitioning remains the same as before.

Combined with the fact that the multi-core related code is integrated within the certified code basis, this user-friendly and powerful extended SMP implementation makes PikeOS 3.1 the first solution of its kind on the market. Moreover, this flexible multi-core support model is hardware agnostic, in line with the original PikeOS principle.

"We see PikeOS becoming the reference in the domain of new generation of RTOS", said Michael Tiedemann, CEO of SYSGO. "The SSV concept we were the first to develop has a clear advantage over other solutions based on an old legacy RTOS combined with new immature software hypervisor technologies. This new 3.1 version has been well received by our existing customers and more and more developers across different application fields are convinced by this innovative but clean, safe and secure approach to multi-core support."

Availability

PikeOS 3.1 is available now. The families of supported processors are today the x86, PowerPC, MIPS, ARM and SPARC. The supported personalities are the PikeOS Native, ARINC-653, Linux, POSIX, and Certified POSIX. The multi-core capability is fully implemented on Intel families. Available hosts are Windows and Linux.

About PikeOS

PikeOS is an innovative product, providing an embedded systems platform where multiple virtual machines can run simultaneously in a secure environment. The Safe and Secure Virtualization (SSV) technology allows multiple operating system APIs, called "Personalities", to run concurrently on one machine, e.g. an ARINC-653 application together with Linux. The PikeOS microkernel architecture allows it to be used in cost sensitive, resource constrained devices as well as large, complex systems. The simplicity and compactness of the PikeOS design results in real-time performance that competes head-to-head with conventional proprietary RTOS solutions. PikeOS is certifiable to safety standards like DO-178B, IEC 61508 or EN 50128, and is also MILS compliant.

About SYSGO

SYSGO provides operating system technology, middleware, and software services for the real-time and embedded market. A differentiating capability of SYSGO is the Safe and Secure Virtualization platform PikeOS, a paravirtualization operating system which is built upon a small, fast, and safe microkernel. It supports the co-existence of independent operating system personalities on a single platform, including ELinOS, SYSGO's embedded Linux distribution. SYSGO supports international customers with services for embedded Linux, real-time capabilities and certification for safety-critical applications. Markets include Aerospace & Defense, Industrial Automation, Automotive, Transportation and Network Infrastructure. Customers include Airbus, Honeywell, Thales, Daimler, Raytheon, Rheinmetall, Rockwell-Collins, Siemens, and Rohde & Schwarz. SYSGO has facilities in Germany, France, The Czech Republic and North America, and offers a global distribution and support network, including Europe and the Pacific Rim. For more information please visit www.sysgo.com