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Embedded Masterclass Explores Time Triggered Software for Mainstream Embedded Systems

Publication date on this website: 26/01/2010

Category: Industry News (Market)

Company: TTE Systems Ltd

Summary:

This year's Embedded Masterclass event for hi-tech engineers will feature a half-day workshop that will explain the many advantages of using time-triggered software in mainstream embedded systems.

Full Text:
. Time-triggered (TT) architectures are widely used in safety-related systems such as aerospace and medical systems because they are known to provide highly-predictable behaviour, and reduced certification costs. As this workshop will make clear, use of TT architectures can also provide many advantages to developers of a much wider range of “deeply embedded” systems, not least because this approach can result in much-reduced testing costs. http://www.embedded-masterclass.com/time-triggered-software.htm In a time-triggered embedded system, there is only one interrupt enabled. This interrupt is usually linked to a timer, which will generate “ticks”: these ticks will, in turn, drive an appropriate (often very simple) operating system. During this workshop it will be argued that TT architectures can be (and should be) used more widely. Numerous examples of the use of TT architectures will be presented, and engineers will have the chance to try out various TT system designs for themselves and compare them with “event triggered” alternatives. Dr Michael J. Pont, CEO of TTE Systems Ltd and Professor of Embedded Systems Engineering at the University of Leicester will present this workshop. Since the mid 1990s, Michael has worked with an internationally recognised research team to develop tools and techniques, which support the rapid development of reliable embedded systems through the use of time-triggered architectures. “Developing embedded systems is not easy, and there are no ‘silver bullets’”, stated Michael Pont. “During this workshop, we won’t try to argue that a TT approach is a perfect match for all embedded systems (it isn’t). However, the workshop will conclude by suggesting that – as engineers start their next project – they should ask themselves: Should we use a time-triggered architecture this time? By the end of this workshop, we think they may be surprised how often the answer is: ‘Yes’.” The TT Architectures workshop is just one of six half-day technical workshops to be presented during the two-day event. Other workshops will explain symmetrical multi-processing, device driver development and Embedded Linux development. In addition to the ½ day workshops, the event offers an agenda of short technical presentations and a vendor exhibition. "The intention is always to provide a useful and productive day for hi-tech engineers," said Richard Blackburn, the organiser. "We’re confident that this year's event will be better than ever. We’re working very hard to ensure that the presentations and the workshops will offer even more useful information and will be even better presented than in the past, and there will be more vendors available to discuss their new technologies and tools." A major change to this year's event will be a move away from Power Point. Engineers delivering the agenda of short technical presentations will be asked to use a whiteboard, a flip chart and handouts. Based on feedback from previous years, the organisers see this change as way to improve the overall experience for delegates. "Power Point is great but it does have certain limitations," said Richard Blackburn. "We think that abandoning Power Point will give the presenters more freedom to talk with passion about their topic and will lend itself to a more interactive and fluid performance. It will also mean that engineers will no longer have to sit through an endless parade of bullet points. Our objective is always to create a day that embedded engineers will really value. This has been a brave but necessary step forward for us." Attendance at the Embedded Masterclass, including the series of 40-minute technical presentations, is free to embedded engineers and technology managers. The half-day workshops are £95.00+VAT. Engineers are advised to register early, as space at the event is limited. Registration is on-line at www.embedded-masterclass.com About TTE Systems : TTE Systems help engineers create reliable and cost-effective embedded systems very quickly and easily. Current applications for their products and technology range from simple consumer goods to industrial, aerospace and satellite systems. Building on Time-Triggered (TT) technology, TTE Systems develop and sell RapidiTTy® development tools and toolboxes, the InfiniTTy™ range of real-time operating systems, and TTE®32 “soft” processor cores and microcontrollers. They also provide a related suite of training services based around TT technology. www.tte-systems.com

Contact:
Contact Details : Dr Michael Pont, TTE Systems Ltd m.pont@tte-systems.com +44 (0)116 223 1684 Richard Blackburn, Embedded Masterclass richard@embedded-masterclass.com +44 (0)1603 278228