2013年3月25日 星期一

Embedded applications...

Embedded PC, in vehicle PC, Industrial PC
In response to growing pressure to boost the performance and trim down the size of embedded applications, standards organizations meet regularly to optimize their portfolios in light of the latest available technology. These updated standards take advantage of new silicon architecture combining multiple processors, graphics elements, and complex I/O to deliver the next generation of preengineered, off-the-shelf modules to support many of the high-performance requirements of embedded product development.
refer: http://embedded-computing.com/articles/evolving-simplify-embedded-development/

Network capacity and performance to cope with the data deluge

IT managers are under increasing pressure to boost network capacity and performance to cope with the data deluge. Networking systems are under a similar form of stress with their performance degrading as new capabilities are added in software. The solution to both needs is next-generation System-on-Chip (SoC) communications processors that combine multiple cores with multiple hardware acceleration engines.

In-Vehicle Computer. single board computer, Industrial PC

 

2013年3月12日 星期二

Approach to communication processors: Multicore Done Right

vGeneric multicore processors have been promoted as the solution to networking communication processing. In reality, they can’t address the scalability, determinism, and ease of programming required for next-generation networking infrastructure. An asymmetric multicore approach that blends multicore processors with networking-optimized accelerator engines and C-programmable libraries meets the challenges of next-generation networks.
Achieving deterministic performance is a key requirement for network operators to ensure reliability across wide variations of traffic profiles and applications. Multicore processors can meet performance challenges when running an application on a single, dual-core, or quad-core processor. However, when scaling to eight cores or beyond, performance scaling usually degrades. There are cases where eight cores deliver no better performance than four, and 16 cores actually run slower than eight.
Networking applications tend to be data-intensive, and generic multicore processors are highly susceptible to the impacts of memory latency on performance. The nonlinearities of memory latency (Figure 1) with regard to memory load combined with the nonlinearities of processor performance relative to memory latency can lead to unpredictable and unreliable performance. The innovative approach taken by LSI to solving this problem is asymmetrical multicore processors, which combine general-purpose processors with specialized accelerators for particular data-intensive tasks, resulting in an optimal, scalable solution.

Industrial computer, gaming platform, Embedded pc
Asymmetrical multicore processors improve performance predictability by combining general-purpose processors and accelerators to address the nonlinearities of memory latency.

Networking infrastructure applications tend to involve complex processing, intense memory utilization, and real-time, deterministic requirements. Asymmetric architectures address these challenges by seamlessly allocating the work between general-purpose multicore processors and specialized acceleration engines. These accelerators are specifically designed to tolerate memory latencies and perform predictably. This approach also enables the application to be built using fewer general-purpose multicore processors with far fewer lines of code. The asymmetric approach simplifies scaling challenges and delivers more deterministic performance at lower cost and power.
Networking applications demand a flexible approach to OSs. This flexibility is required not only to meet application requirements, but also to support the smooth migration of OEM legacy software and give designers the ability to choose the right OS for a particular application. It is important to simultaneously support multiple OSs on different cores without introducing overhead. At LSI, our hardware and software has been architected from the ground up with all this in mind, providing flexible support for the range of OSs used in networking applications.
Software tools such as compilers, simulators, and debuggers are required to support these processors. Simulators must be fast, support real-world throughput and traffic types, and perform accurately for software debugging. Ideally, tools are integrated to enable end-to-end software development in a single environment.
LSI has developed an integrated software development environment through six generations of communications processors. These tools have been hardened through many years of real-world deployment. LSI provides an Advanced Development Kit (ADK) consisting of highly scalable, customer-extensible modules that can be combined to enable quick and easy application development. These function-specific modules seamlessly enable rapid development of applications leveraging the asymmetric multicore architecture for wireless, wireline, and enterprise networking.
The ever-increasing performance demands of next-generation networks and applications, coupled with user expectations of reliability and quality of service, require purpose-built asymmetric multicore architectures to achieve wire-speed, deterministic performance at the lowest power and cost. LSI solutions for networking infrastructure applications are optimized with the right combination of multicore processors and accelerators to deliver scalable, reliable, and deterministic performance. We call this “Multicore Done Right.”
refer: http://embedded-computing.com/articles/an-multicore-done-right244/

2013年3月4日 星期一

How about Communication strategies in embedded technology

Industrial computer, gaming platform,  Embedded pc
Although embedded devices destined for industrial applications have a wide range of design requirements due to the diverse environments in which they are deployed, almost all systems need some form of wired or wireless communications capabilities. Stand-alone industrial embedded devices are relatively rare, as users now demand remote access for data collection, management, maintenance, troubleshooting, software updates, and system security. For example, businesses need to monitor and collect real-time operational or throughput statistics from individual devices to evaluate the performance of manufacturing systems and methods.
Complex embedded systems can automatically run maintenance and diagnostic routines to evaluate reductions in performance and remotely schedule hardware updates. Many remote systems also require some type of security or surveillance features to detect and possibly prevent physical or virtual attacks. The challenge for embedded designers is to find the right communications technologythat delivers reliable, high-performance connectivity in an industrial environment with possible noise, extended temperatures, shock/vibration, and interference.
In this issue of Industrial Embedded Systems, we asked contributors to take a look at the principal issues and trends affecting contemporary embedded design for industrial applications and found that connectivity was a major topic in most of the articles and interviews. For example, in the Computing section, Mike Holt of Semitech Semiconductor illustrates techniques to optimize power line communications for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) applications such as automatic meter reading or control and management of streetlights, vending machines, or solar panels. In the same section, Lantronix VP of engineering Daryl Miller offers suggestions for making smart grids smarter by integrating M2M communications features into legacy equipment to enable remote access, control, and troubleshooting capabilities. Andreas Johannsen of Vincotech describes another important design requirement for industrial equipment, especially systems that operate 24 hours a day: power efficiency. Andreas shows how electronic commutated motor drives contained in an integrated power module can be up to 90 percent more efficient than conventional motor drives in industrial applications.
In the Networking/Sensing section, connectivity is a central theme in discussions on applications ranging from building automation to smart parking technology. In a Q&A session, HomePlug Powerline Alliance President Rob Ranck explains the current state of broadband networking over existing AC wiring within the home and outlines new standards that support smart gridapplications, electric vehicle charging stations, and HD streaming for movies or gaming. In a technical article targeting Building Automation Systems (BAS), Louis-Nicolas Hamer, VP at SCL Elements, describes the industry’s slow progress due to poor interoperability among multiple automation protocols and highlights a new all-in-one embedded gateway controller that can solve this BAS divergence. Citing unprecedented grown in the M2M industry, Mike Ueland, VP and general manager at Telit Wireless Solutions North America, shows how companies are deploying remote monitoring to increase efficiency and cut costs in managing industrial assets and systems. And finally, in a completely different connectivity application, Alicia Asín of Libelium offers a unique solution for automobile parking management that could potentially eliminate billions of hours of lost productivity along with billions of gallons of wasted fuel due to motorists cruising around searching for parking spaces.
This issue also includes our annual Resource Guide with a large number of embedded products divided into dozens of categories to simplify your next industrial design project. You’ll find a wide selection of off-the-shelf industrial systems, small form factor modules, power sources, panel computers, enclosures, and specialized embedded components to solve your unique requirements. You’ll also find embedded support software including operating systems plus data acquisition andmotion control systems. Our aim is to provide a reference source of available products that match your future design projects. If you have suggestions or products for the next Resource Guide, please let us know.
The articles and interviews in this issue include an extensive look at the embedded industry from the industrial viewpoint and should serve as a valuable technical reference for your next design project. In addition to the topic of connectivity, you can gain a wide-ranging perspective on multiple industrial design issues from diverse vertical market areas. Our plan is to continually search the embedded community to deliver guidelines and techniques to keep you on the leading edge and ahead of your competition. Please give us your ideas on print technical articles and online updates that we can provide to support your design efforts.
REFER:
http://industrial-embedded.com/articles/communication-reshape-embedded-technology/