Synopsys adds processors, projects to embARC
Article By : Synopsys
The embARC OSP has added support for the ARC HS processors, updated SecureShield libraries for secure execution environments and an OpenThread protocol implementation for the digital home.
Synopsys Inc. has released its latest version of the embARC Open Software Platform (OSP). This version of the software extends support to ARC HS processors and includes an update to the SecureShield libraries that allow creation of a trusted execution environment on ARC EM and ARC SEM processors.
The suite of free and open source software, which includes operating systems (OSes) such as FreeRTOS, the Zephyr Project and Linux, are available through the embARC.org website. Additional RTOSes, including Contiki, LiteOS and RIoT, which have been specifically developed for IoT edge devices, have been ported to ARC EM processors. They are available from embARC site and run on the ARC EM Starter Kit.
OpenThread protocol
The embARC OSP includes the major protocols used in IoT devices, networking stacks such as lwip, and commonly used security protocols including MatrixSSL, WolfSSL, and TinyDTLS. This version of embARC OSP adds the OpenThread protocol, an open source implementation of the Thread networking protocol released by Nest Labs Inc. The Thread specification is defined by the Thread Group and describes an IPv6-based protocol designed to be reliable, secure and low power for wireless device-to-device communications for digital home applications.
The GNU Toolchain for ARC Processors provides open source tools, including complete source code and a large installed base. The tools include the GCC compiler and GDB debugger as well as several utilities and libraries that make up a complete software toolchain. The latest release of GNU GCC 7 supports the ARC EM and ARC HS processors.
The ARC GNU Toolchain is configurable, allowing tailoring, customisation and expansion of the tools, libraries, debugger and board support. Synopsys also offers commercial tools for use with ARC processors, including the ARC MetaWare Development Toolkit, an Eclipse-based product that enables users to integrate the creation, management and debugging of embedded applications in a single cockpit.
The ARC EM Starter Kit enables software development, debugging and profiling for ARC EM processors. It supports a variety of hardware extensions using six 2×6 connectors with 48 user I/O pins (plus power and ground pins) that can be used to connect components such as sensors, actuators, memories, displays, buttons, switches and communication devices. A Digilent Pmod compatible extension board containing a 4-channel 12bit ADC with an I2C interface and an AC power adapter is included in the package.
The ARC AXS103 Software Development Platform supports the ARC HS34, HS36, and HS38 processors, including 256kB of on-chip SRAM and 1GB of DDR3-SDRAM. It also contains peripheral interfaces including a USB 2.0 Host, HDMI, Ethernet, audio and several serial protocols. It features an SD card reader and includes multiple memories for storing boot code, application code, operating systems and data.
The ARC EM Starter Kit and the AXS103 Software Development Platform are also available now.