News Industry Spotlight Better ARM tool Oxford Instruments measures up


The latest Embedded Workbench for ARM, from IAR Systems, has been enhanced with new features. The enhancements include a new source browser and text editor, which enable user-friendly functionality such as auto- completion, code folding, block selection, block indentation, bracket matching, and zooming. Word/paragraph navigation has also been improved.


Compiler enhancements include


improvements to the previously introduced stack usage analysis functionality that provides calculations of the maximum stack depth for each call graph root. Other new introductions include support for C++ source code, support for recursion, and new useful linker directives. The linker directive check can be used to calculate the stack usage at link time to verify that the used stack space does not exceed the allocated memory. The inline assembler has been expanded with a large number of new operand constraints and modifiers. The new version is faster, resulting in quicker execution times for the generated code. The code generated for ARM Cortex-M4 shows up to 40 percent improvement on standard industry benchmarks for execution speed. The debugging probe allows for more power measurements. This is aided by improved plot functions in the Timeline window. It also enables a new memory configuration framework that adds safety against illegal memory accesses. IAR Systems www.iar.com


Infor, a major provider of business application software has anno - unced that Oxford Instru ments has chosen to implement a suite of applications from the company to support its global operations. At the core of the suite is Infor10 ERP Business (SyteLine), an ERP solution specialised for the high-tech industry, which is inte- grated through Infor10 ION tech- nology with Infor10 PLM Discrete (PLM8) to help track, manage, monitor, and analyse products throughout the product lifecycle. These applications will help the company continue to grow by delivering standardised business processes and improving produc- tivity across its operations in China, Germany, Japan, the United States, and the UK. ERP Business replaces a port- folio of legacy systems at Oxford Instruments, and is expected to help the company improve pro- ductivity and deliver on its strat- egy to achieve 14 percent compound annual revenue growth by 2014. ERP Business will help drive these benefits by supporting a set of core processes


Embedded standards group formed


Data Modul, Kontron and MSC. SGET supports this group by providing the appropriate infra- structure that will facilitate the efficient implementation of the standardisation idea.


A meeting has gone underway for the SGET Standardisation Group for Embedded Technologies eV. A group of embedded computing manufacturers have formed the registered association to drive stan- dardisation of embedded computing. The aim of the association is to speed up the development of new standards for embedded hardware and software. Twenty-three companies signed up to support the founding princi- ples during an inaugural meeting, including Advantech, Congatec,


Electronics JUNE 2012


The SGET statutes and objec- tives as well as the working group regulations and voting rules. Other companies from the embedded computing industry are invited to join the association and contribute their ideas. In addition to embedded com- puter manufacturers at board and system level the invitation also extends to chip and connector manufacturers, research and edu- cational institutions, embedded system integrators, OEM solution providers and industrial users. Kontron www.kontron.com


throughout Oxford Instruments including customer facing processes such as order taking. By offering improved connec- tivity and integration with exist- ing applications via ION, ERP Business enables 'straight- through processing' where the various components of customer requirements are automatically sent to the relevant companies for fulfilment, without needing additional data entry.


ERP Business is designed to eliminate disparate systems, enable consistent, company-wide training to be delivered via the Internet, and accelerate the inte- gration of any further acquisitions. "We have not just bought a product, we have invested in a partner and have chosen Infor because the company's expertise enables them to cover the major- ity of our requirements out-of- the-box," said Gary Wearing, Director of Oxford Instruments NanoScience division. "We have some demanding milestones for the time and cost of implementation, and we will be measuring productivity improve- ments to make sure that the appli- cation delivers.


But we are confident that both the company and the technology we have chosen will help us to achieve our growth strategy." Oxford Instruments www.oxford-instruments.com


Lattice technical training seminars


A seminar series involving Lattice Semi- conductor and its distribution partners has been announced. The Worldwide semi- nars cover technical training and live hardware demonstrations for features of the MachXO2 PLD. The event focuses on High System Integration and Fast Time- To-Market.


The initial @MachXO2 Speed seminar focuses on nine new reference and demonstration designs that enhance the usability of the built-in I


2


C, SPI and User


Flash Memory functions in the family's Flash memory-based Embedded Func- tion Block (EFB).


New technical features include pre- verified RTL and C code that is easily re-usable to help engineers get ahead. “The MachXO2 Embedded Function Block simplifies the design process for our programmable logic customers,” said Rita Megling, Senior Vice Presi- dent of Marketing at Lattice distribution partner NuHorizons Electronics. “We look forward to mobilising our field applications engineering team to help customers complete their PLD designs.” Lattice Semiconductor www.latticesemi.com


Easier Envelope Tracking systems


A new High Dynamic Range system simulation model for handset Envelope Tracking applications has been unveiled. Jointly developed by OpenET members, Nujira and the University of Firenze, the solution makes it easier for designers to identify sources of noise and distortion and to make the necessary design tradeoffs. The model is suitable for use by chipset designers, PA vendors, filter manufacturers and handset OEMs, and is being released to members of the OpenET Alliance for download from www.open-et.org. System simulation capability is partic- ularly important in Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, such as the 4G LTE standard, where the transmit and receive paths are operating simultaneously. Multiple noise and distortion mecha- nisms in the transmit path can feed into the receive path, and can result in reduced receiver sensitivity.


Envelope Tracking introduces new digital and analogue paths, which can contribute to the system noise budget.


With so many interactions and co-de-


pendencies to consider, comprehensive system simulation is the only viable way for the designer to make the necessary system tradeoffs. However, PA models based on captured data have typically suffered a 'noise floor' of around -90 dB.


The (HDR) PA simulation model solves this


problem. Instead of interpolating between measured data points, the HDR PA model uses an algorithmic representation of the PA behaviour to generate a continuously variable output, eliminating measurement noise and quantisation errors. This mathematical modelling approach enables a simulation environment with almost 150 dB of dynamic range. OpenET Alliance www.open-et.org


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