Embedded Software Clever Features
Pironex's embedded software developers are specialists in the field of embedded software development for microcontrollers, embedded processors and Linux systems.
For us, embedded systems engineering means that the department's hardware, electronics development, and firmware all originate from a single source and are viewed as a whole. With this comprehensive approach, we guarantee that the smart target product's system requirements are met at all times.
Computer scientists with a technical background in the field of embedded systems are employed at pironex. This means that the software developers can understand and program electronic circuits, components along with interfaces. This allows them to build in clever features.
Embedded Linux
Linux devices and IPC systems use customised Linux distributions as the basis for creating the functional development. These are special distributions developed for the embedded sector, which are based on the widespread Yocto Project and Open Embedded Build System. Many software modules are build on the Debian derivatives known from desktop systems. On principle pironex supplies systems with an adapted Linux image. This controlles all the existing hardware interfaces and includes the most important libraries, e.g. QT and a cross compiler toolchain for the ARM system on a Linux PC.
The use of Linux as the operating system is common practice. Linux comes with a variety of functionalities that can be used immediately:
- FTP-Server for data exchange
- Web-Interface for GUI
- File system on internal and external storage media
- Deployments of updates on the at the business and in the field
FPGA programming
During FPGA programming, pironex creates a description of the hardware structure, which is then transferred to the FPGA chip using synthesis and routing tools. This hardware description is typically written in special languages such as VHDL or Verilog. FPGA development in the high-level language VHDL is also used for parallel processing of large amounts of data during the implementation of time-critical processes.
The hardware development integrates FPGA and CPLD modules from all kinds off manufacturers (Xilinx, Altera, Lattice):
- Core development in FPGA schematics, Abel and VHDL
- VHDL core development of serial and parallel interfaces as well as DSP functions (ISA-, PCI-, PCIe-, MiniPCI-, PCMCIA und CardBus-Cores)
- Lattice (ECP2, ECP3, ECP2M, XP2, MACHXO, MACHXO2, SC)
FPGA programming for the mentioned areas of application:
- Control of devices in the field of medical technology
- Control and regulation of stepper and DC motors
- Image and signal processing
- Bus system applications such as ISA, PCI and PCI-Express (PCIe)
- Multiprocessor systems for industry and medicine
