Embedded Linux Support for Intel's IXP435 Platform

MontaVista Software, based in Santa Clara, California, develops systems software, development tools and Embedded Linux-based software targeting embedded systems such as automotive electronics, communications equipment, and television set-top boxes and other connected devices and infrastructure.

The MontaVista Linux is distribution enhanced to become a full fledged real-time operating system. It is available in three editions: Professional Edition, Carrier Grade Edition and Consumer Electronics Edition.

The Professional Edition 5.0 (Pro 5.0) version was announced earlier this April by MontaVista officials who were saying at that time that the respective commercial Linux distribution would "break all barriers" separating Linux from markets traditionally served by RTOSes (real-time RTOSes). Using a patched 2.6.18 kernel, the Pro 5.0 is now available and it is said to provide, among other things, footprint reduction through native support for uClinux extensions. Among the Pro 5.0 features, when used with Intel's IXP435 reference design, the simplified migration from IXP425, the support for Intel's IXP400 Software Access library for Linux or the integrated Eclipse-based Dev Rocket 5.0 development tools could also be counted.

Jim Ready, CTO stated: "Engineers using Pro 5.0 with the Intel IXP435 processor will have the distinct advantage of an off-the-shelf solution combined with the control of an in-house built Linux solution."

According to him, the Pro 5.0 version combined with Intel's IXP435 design suits networked media devices, wireless routers, and VoIP routers. The IXP435 platform from Intel aims to help companies build devices based on the IXP435 network processor. The processor integrates an XScale core clocked to 667MHz, along with a pair of network processor engines. Among other highlights, there would be the DDR1/2 memory controllers, dual hi-speed USB 2.0 (480Mbps) host ports, cryptographic accelerators, and a high-speed serial (HSS) interface. The Linux vendor claimed it would support Intel's IXP435 platform, designed as a multi-service residential gateway equipment.