WATERLOO, Canada — RoweBots Research, Inc., the leading supplier of tiny embedded Linux RTOS products, today announced the launch and release of DSPnano, Version 2, and Unison(TM), Version 4. These two ultra-tiny embedded-Linux compatible RTOSs open Renesas Technology Corp.’s R8C, M16C and R32C/100 microcontroller (MCU) families to Linux and POSIX compatible development for the first time.
DSPnano is the functional equivalent to an ultra-tiny embedded-Linux RTOS for Renesas’ 8- and 16-bit MCUs, including the R8C and M16C. DSPnano, used with the High-Performance Embedded Workshop (HEW) IDE (Integrated Development Environment), increases embedded development productivity and reliability. Typical applications range from tiny printer engines to demanding automotive control. By using these off-the-shelf products with the R8C and M16C MCU products, OEMs can save substantial development time and reduce development risks through software reuse.
Unison, the 32-bit RTOS, is ideally suited to home automation and networking applications. Unison increases embedded development productivity and reliability for R32C/100 developers by substantially reducing the difficulties of developing complex systems. OEM developers can create improved applications with reusable components supported by the Unison product and Renesas R32C/100 MCUs with HEW IDE. Complete networking protocols are also available.
DSPnano and Unison are ideally suited for Renesas MCU development by engineers who value reduced design complexity and getting to market quickly. “Changing market needs for higher-speed, higher-performance, larger capacity on-chip memory and power-sensitive MCUs has increased complexity and performance demands,” said Todd DeBoer, director, sales activation, at Renesas Technology America, Inc. “We selected RoweBots as a Platinum Alliance Partner because their product offerings are an ideal complement to Renesas MCUs for simple and quick design development.”
“DSPnano and Unison support the entire range of Renesas MCUs, from 8- to 32-bits, and are intended for use in OEM environments where time to market and multiple products using the same software platform are a requirement,” said Kim Rowe, founder and President of RoweBots Research, Inc. “Users benefit from seamless migration of software between architectures without code changes, opening up tens of thousands of applications on these embedded platforms.”
The ultra-tiny Linux offerings provide seamless support including:
* Integrated MCU RTOSs with full POSIX and Linux capabilities in a tiny footprint to minimize training time and processor size
* Risk mitigation
* Free development and source code
* Complete off-the-shelf I/O including networking and file systems
* Seamless integration with the Renesas HEW IDE
* 20 DSP features
* Complete indemnification
* Seamless migration between MCU products without code changes
* Low-cost deployment licenses
Lost time to market, customers disappointed with product quality, and missed product price points are three of the biggest problems OEM developers must overcome. DSPnano and Unison solve these problems when used with Renesas R32C (http://rowebots.com/Embedded_Processor_support/renesas_R32C) or R8C/M16C MCUs (http://rowebots.com/Embedded_Processor_support/renesas_m16c_development) using open source technology (http://rowebots.com/Embedded_System_Software/Open_Source_RTOS).
Unison V4 and DSPnano V2 are hosted on Windows(R) XP and Vista(R) for x86 platforms. Support, training and consulting for the entire Renesas R8C, M16C and R32C/100 MCU line are available.
DSPnano and Unison V4 will begin shipping immediately, with free development offered. Open-source royalty-free licenses start at $3,995 USD.
About RoweBots
RoweBots is developing the next generation of modular system on chip ultra tiny embedded Linux software for embedded OEM applications in the areas of consumer goods, clean technology, portable products, communications and robotics electronics. The company is based in Waterloo, Canada.
