MIPS Technologies Unveils Linux Development Tools in New Integrated Component Suite
MIPS Technologies, a leading provider of industry-standard architectures, processors and analog IP for digital consumer, home networking, wireless, communications and business applications, today introduced the new MIPS Navigator Integrated Component Suite (ICS) to enable embedded developers to more easily code, debug and analyze Linux systems on MIPS-Based SoCs and embedded systems. Navigator ICS brings together the industry's leading tools and technologies for MIPS® development in a cohesive, off-the-shelf product, with new and innovative components for Linux development."Developers today face mounting pressures in controlling the development timeline and optimizing embedded systems to meet performance and cost requirements," said Chris Rommel, analyst, Embedded Software Practice, Venture Development Corporation. "As more embedded projects migrate to Linux and developers look for ways to save valuable time and resources, the ability to effectively and efficiently debug and profile will continue to be placed at a premium."
MIPS Navigator ICS includes unique new tools and plug-ins for coding, debugging and analyzing Linux targets. For coding, this includes as standard a MIPS-optimized version of Sourcery G++, a complete C/C++ development environment from CodeSourcery based on the GNU Toolchain and the Eclipse Integrated Development Environment (IDE). With Sourcery G++, developers can output non-position independent code (PIC) for higher performance for Linux applications.
For debugging with Navigator ICS, developers can leverage an innovative new optional plug-in-the Arriba Linux Debugger-that overcomes the traditional shortcomings of Linux debugging methods. With it, there is no need to instrument, recompile or use kernel patches. The tool provides complete debugging capabilities, including debugging drivers and applications over a single connection, debugging multiple threads/processes, and debugging Shared Libraries. Since it does not pre-empt the kernel, the Arriba Linux Debugger is ideal for multimedia/real-time applications and drivers. Available through an exclusive agreement with Viosoft Corporation, it is also portable and easily re-targeted to custom platforms.
Another unique new tool for the Navigator ICS is the Linux Event Analyzer (LEA). The optional LEA plug-in-also provided through an exclusive agreement with Viosoft-provides kernel and application-level profiling for all MIPS-Based devices running Linux. It captures all Linux events occurring on the target, then graphically displays events over time with details just a mouse click away. The LEA complements the recently introduced Hot Spot Analyzer (HSA) plug-in from MIPS Technologies. Like the Arriba Linux Debugger, there is no need to recompile the kernel or instrument the application-a benefit for time-critical applications.
"With Navigator ICS, we're going beyond traditional development tools and methods with new and unique approaches to Linux development that will boost productivity for a large majority of MIPS developers," said Jack Browne, vice president of marketing, Processor Business Group, MIPS Technologies. "Navigator ICS can be used across the entire system, providing low-level debug to high-level application analysis. MIPS Technologies uniquely offers a combination of processor IP and on-chip debug hardware IP as well as EJTAG probes and software to take advantage of the core and on-chip debug hardware. Together with our broad offering of analog and mixed-signal IP, this gives developers a comprehensive offering to speed development of next-generation embedded systems and SoCs."
Navigator ICS is optimized for the unique features of the MIPS architecture and cores, and is built to harness the power of MIPS System Navigator probes. All of the integrated components are pre-verified, giving developers confidence that the components will work together. Coupled with MIPS Technologies' state-of-the-art On-Chip Instrumentation (OCI), the suite offers customers a unique view into their SoC operation. For hardware and software developers who are creating MIPS-based SoCs and embedded systems, Navigator ICS offers a set of standard and optional functions, including:
- Eclipse based-IDE with C/C++ CDT
- Bare-iron & GNU/Linux tool chain optimized for MIPS cores: Sourcery G++ from CodeSourcery-industry leading GNU-based toolchain
- Projects to provide quick start for users
- Support for all MIPS System Navigator probes
- MIPSsim executables for all current MIPS cores
- Standard plug-ins for control and configuration of targets
- Standard plug-ins for debug and optional plug-ins for RTOS and Linux-aware debug
- Standard plug-ins for analysis and optional plug-ins for advanced analysis.
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