Designed to enable easy and efficient development and validation of real-time appliances based on the smallest x86 solutions, Kontron introduced the Intel Atom Processor-based COM Express compatible Kontron nanoETXexpress Starterkit for the latest VxWorks platform.
This special starter kit is pre-configured with the Kontron nanoETXexpress-SP Computer-on-Module, featuring the Intel Atom Z530 (1.6GHz) processor, and is validated by the Wind River Partner Validation Program for use with VxWorks. The Kontron nanoETXexpress-SP Starterkit for VxWorks allows developers to address critical issues such as integration costs, time-to-market, and long-term support, right from the start of platform evaluation.
The Kontron nanoETXexpress Starterkit for VxWorks provides a rich HMI application platform, well-suited for distributed or mobile ultra small form factor devices such as those used in healthcare, medical, small-footprint industrial devices, automotive telematics, military, and networking. All of these application areas require optimized system responsiveness and solution flexibility.
“While VxWorks delivers responsiveness in a deterministic manner, the Kontron nanoETXexpress-SP with its open x86 architecture ensures barrier-free connectivity of distributed devices as well as the scalability of appliances over generations of processors and performance classes,” explains Dirk Finstel, chief technology officer at Kontron. “Additionally, a complementary implementation with the high performance type 1 Wind River Hypervisor, hosting VxWorks and an additional guest operating system, is scheduled to be available soon.”
“Together with Kontron, we are delivering on our joint commitment to provide customers with greater value, via a world-class out-of-the-box experience that will help accelerate time to market,” said Roger Williams, vice president of alliances and business development at Wind River. “With the starter kit, customers can begin their development work within minutes of opening the box. In addition, customers have the option to purchase VxWorks production licenses bundled with Kontron boards and modules, which allows both Kontron and Wind River to more quickly respond to customer requirements.”
Real-time starter kit components
The COM Express COM.0 Type 1 compatible Kontron nanoETXexpress Starterkit for VxWorks is fully equipped and pre-assembled. Developers receive the Kontron nanoETXexpress-SP Computer-on-Module based on the Intel Atom Z530 processor (1.6GHz), that has onboard 512MB system memory and a 2GB flash drive. The module is integrated with the Kontron nanoETXexpress-HMI Board plus a 7in WVGA touch panel, 12V power supply and all required cables and accessories.
The onboard 2GB flash drive is pre-programmed with the latest VxWorks operating system and HMI application demonstration. The starter kit also includes a USB drive containing a fully-functional 30-day trial of the Wind River LiveUSB Environment that includes Wind River Workbench 3.2, Wind River Tilcon Interface Development Tool 5.7, and VxWorks 6.8. Tutorial videos are included in the accompanying documentation to help engineers immediately begin using the platform, evaluating their own appliances, or running benchmarks.
Kontron will continue to leverage its strategic relationship with Wind River to deliver integrated solutions that help customers to reduce their time to market. Kontron plans to release additional VxWorks board support packages (BSPs) for their entire computer-on-modules portfolio in the coming months, to provide real-time application developers with a broad range of computer-on-modules for VxWorks platforms.