Timesys and Critical Link Announce Linux Solution for Sitara™AM335x ARM® Cortex™-A8-based System on Module

SYRACUSE, N.Y. and PITTSBURGH, Pa., Aug. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Critical Link (http://www.criticallink.com) and Timesys Corporation (http://www.timesys.com) today announced they are partnering to provide developers using the Critical Link MityARM-3359 System-on-Module (SoM) with an easy-to-use, affordable Linux software development framework that significantly speeds up time to market.

Based on the Sitara™ AM3359 ARM® Cortex™-A8 processor from Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI), the MityARM-3359 is a highly configurable, small form factor SoM that offers support for many peripherals including integrated 3D-graphics.  The MityARM platform is used in a broad range of industrial, instrumentation, medical, commercial, transportation, and agricultural applications, integrated into benchtop, handheld, kiosk or mobile devices.

LinuxLink for MityARM-3359 enables Critical Link customers to cost effectively develop cutting-edge products with state-of-the-art UIs and 3D graphics while ensuring a short learning curve — even for customers new to the embedded open source Linux community.

"Given all the features of our boards, we have been looking for a strong commercial embedded Linux partner that is well-aligned with our customer base and the markets we target," said Critical Link vice president Thomas Catalino. "We are very pleased to partner with Timesys. With Timesys's LinuxLink offering and expert support team, our customers will be able to successfully design their MityARM based next generation products."

A free BSP/SDK for MityARM-335x reference boards is available at www.timesys.com/register. By registering, users can download an existing Linux BSP/SDK or quickly build a custom version using Timesys's cloud-based LinuxLink FREE Edition, which includes:

• A wizard-based interface that simplifies the selection of a Linux kernel, software packages and tools,
• Kernel, tool chain and debugger,
• Access to hundreds of open-source software packages, and
• First line of support by Timesys for build/boot issues.

In addition, customers will have the option to easily upgrade to Timesys's LinuxLink PRO Edition, which features a desktop-based development environment, tools for advanced customization and integration, and unmetered, expert support. When needed, customers can further shorten their time to market by utilizing the vast expertise of Timesys's just-in-time professional services.

 "Critical Link's focus on providing high-quality yet cost-effective product development services aligns perfectly with our goal at Timesys of providing the industry's most easy-to-use and affordable embedded Linux development tools that leverage the capabilities offered by established as well as emerging silicon platforms.  We are delighted to add Critical Link to the TI platforms supported by LinuxLink," said Maciej Halasz, director of product development at Timesys. 

"We are pleased that Timesys continues to expand the availability of its LinuxLink platform across a variety of TI-based processors. The combination of LinuxLink software development tools and Critical Link's MityARM AM335x platform will definitely be welcomed in the market. For customers bringing new applications to market based on TI's Sitara ARM processors, it provides a proven and complete hardware and software solution," said, Alejandro Erives, brand marketing manager, Sitara ARM processors, TI. "LinuxLink for MityARM enables advanced customization capabilities with its easy user interface, integrated open-source plug-ins and tested build environment."

To learn more about this offering, please join us for a brief webinar on September 12, 2012 at 1 p.m. EDT by registering now at http://www.timesys.com/webinar/mityARM-3359.  

About Timesys

Timesys is the provider of LinuxLink, an easy to use embedded Linux software development framework and associated professional services that dramatically simplifies and speeds up platform and application development. LinuxLink enables development teams to easily build and maintain embedded applications and devices through regularly updated Linux sources, proven middleware packages, and a scriptable GNU-based build environment. For more information, visit www.timesys.com.  Timesys is a platinum member of the TI Design Network.

About Critical Link

Critical Link is an innovative electronics product development company that helps its customers develop award winning products in a broad range of industries.  Its MityDSP and MityARM System on Modules (SoM) consistently demonstrate the ability to reduce product development cost and accelerate time to market.  For more information on Critical Link's SoM family, visit www.mitydsp.com. Critical Link is a platinum member of the TI Design Network.

About the Texas Instruments Design Network

Timesys and Critical Link are members of the TI Design Network, 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.

Editors' Notes
Timesys and the Timesys logo are registered trademarks of Timesys Corporation.
ARM and Cortex are trademarks of ARM Limited.
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States and other countries.
TI is a trademark of Texas Instruments.
All other company and product names mentioned are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Critical Link