TI expands successful software ecosystem with a new, complete real-time operating system: TI-RTOS

DALLAS, Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Microcontroller (MCU) developers can spend more time focusing on their unique applications because software design just got easier.  Today, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NASDAQ:  TXN) furthers its investment in the embedded processing software and tools ecosystem with TI-RTOS, a complete real-time operating system (RTOS) based on preemptive multithreading kernel, for its MCU platform. With more than 20 years of experience in delivering production-quality operating system (OS) solutions for real-time applications, TI has taken its expertise in its RTOS components, including the popular SYS/BIOS™ real-time kernel and network developer kit (NDK) TCP/IP stack, and integrated them to create a complete microcontroller RTOS.  This new OS enables much faster software development by eliminating the need for designers to write and maintain complex system software, including schedulers, protocol stacks and low-level drivers.  Unique to the market, TI-RTOS provides a consistent embedded software platform across TI's entire MCU portfolio, making it easy for developers to scale designs to update or add functionality by porting legacy applications to the latest processor. This consistent platform also benefits TI Design Network software ecosystem partners by providing a free, widely used software platform without proprietary constraints. 

"Embedded hardware development has become easier with the high level of integration MCUs now have," said Scott Roller, vice president, MCUs, TI.  "However, because of the integration of more peripherals, memory and connectivity options, software development has become more complex, which is why we created TI-RTOS. Now developers can build MCU-based designs with Internet and USB connectivity without the concern that software development will be onerous and time-consuming."

TI-RTOS features and benefits:

• Ease software development with a complete, mature and stable embedded operating environment that provides full middleware and driver enablement to add more product functionality.  These components include:
  • Deterministic, real-time multitasking kernel (SYS/BIOS)
  • TCP/IP stack, including network applications
  • USB, EMAC, MMC/SD host and device stacks and class drivers
  • FAT-compatible file system fully integrated with C RTS file I/O functions
  • Ethernet, USB, UART, I2C and SD device drivers
  • Low overhead core-to-core communication mechanism for dual-core devices
• Begin software development and achieve network connectivity straight out of the box with components that have been integrated and tested.  The user does not have to piece code together or face component version mismatches to get their application working in a multithreading environment.
• Easily enhance an existing software base with new functionality by adding new tasks that do not disrupt the real-time response of critical system functions.
• Move functions between dual core devices to optimize performance by using the same TI-RTOS kernel on both the ARM® and C28x DSP cores.
• Receive robust documentation and examples to augment designs, including examples and APIs appropriate for multitasking development and integration to help evaluate TI-RTOS and receive training.
• Meet on-chip memory constraints with an RTOS based on a modular architecture with a small footprint, enabling easy removal of software functionality not required in the application.  Components are also scalable, allowing for further reductions in memory requirements.
• Enable seamless development in familiar environment. TI-RTOS is fully integrated with TI's Code Composer Studio™ integrated development environment (IDE) and contains board support packages and development kits, including the TI MCU LaunchPads.
• Obtain application-specific software with TI's broad Design Network software developer network with partners such as Interniche and Simma software that provide additional communications stacks that work with TI-RTOS.
• Benefit from no upfront or run-time license fees and free support with full C source code and direct support from TI.

Pricing and availability  

TI-RTOS is available today on select devices, including ARM® Cortex™-M4 MCUs and C2000™ dual core C28x + ARM Cortex-M3 MCUs.  It will be offered soon on MSP430™ MCUs, as well as other C2000™ and ARM-based MCUs. TI will continue to expand its RTOS offering beyond the MCU portfolio to other processor families.  Download the software free from the TI website today.  Developers can also find support and training online at www.ti.com.

TI's broad portfolio of microcontrollers (MCUs) and software

From general purpose, ultra-low power MSP microcontrollers, to ARM^® Cortex-M microcontrollers to real-time control C2000™ microcontrollers and ARM Cortex-R safety microcontrollers, TI offers the broadest range of microcontroller solutions. Designers can accelerate time to market by tapping into TI's complete software and hardware tools, extensive third-party offerings and technical support.

About Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments semiconductor innovations help 90,000 customers unlock the possibilities of the world as it could be – smarter, safer, greener, healthier and more fun.  Our commitment to building a better future is ingrained in everything we do – from the responsible manufacturing of our semiconductors, to caring for our employees, to giving back inside our communities.  This is just the beginning of our story.  Learn more at www.ti.com.

Trademarks

SYS/BIOS, C2000, controlSUITE and Code Composer Studio are trademarks and Stellaris is a registered trademark of Texas Instruments Incorporated.  All registered trademarks and other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

TI's Design Network:  What our partners are saying about TI-RTOS

InterNiche Technologies
http://www.iniche.com

"With many microcontrollers now adding Ethernet capabilities, we have a tremendous opportunity to apply our networking expertise in that space," commented Larry Larder, president of InterNiche Technologies. "We will address microcontroller developers' concerns about network security and management by complementing the base TI-RTOS TCP/IP stack with additional protocols such as SSH, SSL, IPsec and SNMP. This means that TI customers using TI-RTOS and TCP/IP can easily add InterNiche preported management and security protocols. In addition, customers new to networked applications can benefit from our deep knowledge of how to diagnose and resolve networking problems."

Simma Software 
www.simmasoftware.com

"We have enjoyed great success providing our CAN solutions for all of TI's microcontrollers for a decade and already support the SYS/BIOS real-time kernel," stated JR Simma, CEO, Simma Software.  "TI-RTOS is a great solution to simplify development of today's increasingly complex microcontroller applications and provides us with a standard software platform to port our CAN solutions to."

Stonestreet One 
www.stonestreetone.com

"Stonestreet One, with our Bluetopia protocol stack, is a leader in Bluetooth solutions and has a long history of supporting TI devices with our products, which are already available on the SYS/BIOS real-time kernel for TI's ARM Cortex M microcontrollers," said Tim Reilly, CTO, Stonestreet One. "TI-RTOS represents a natural evolution from SYS/BIOS now that microcontrollers are commonly including connectivity options like USB and Ethernet. We are excited to support it."

About the Texas Instruments Design Network

The TI Design Network is a premier group of independent, well-established companies that offer products and system-level design and manufacturing services complementing TI's semiconductors to a worldwide customer base to accelerate product innovation and time-to-market. Network members provide product design, hardware and software system integration, turnkey product design, RF and processor system modules, reference platforms, software development, proof-of-concept design, feasibility studies, research, certification compliance, prototyping, manufacturing, and product life cycle management. For more information about the TI Design Network, please visit www.ti.com/designnetwork.

SOURCE Texas Instruments