Accelerated Technology's Nucleus RTOS Helps Passenger Safety in Critical Testing Device for Civil Aircraft

Embedded Systems Conference Boston 2003

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 2003--Accelerated Technology(R), the Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics Corporation, today announced that its Nucleus(TM) Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) was used to develop the Air Data Test Set (ADTS) 505 remote hand terminal by Druck Limited (England). Specifically designed for use with civil aircraft, the ADTS 505 test set allows aircraft technicians to check the performance and readout of vital instrumentation in an aircraft cockpit.

With the skies becoming ever more crowded, a standard has been set up to allow approved aircraft to fly closer together. The RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minima) standard requires that rigorous checks of the altitude-measuring instruments are not only desirable but also mandatory. These checks require a pneumatic test instrument (ADTS 505) to be attached to the pressure-sensing ports located on the outside of the aircraft. The cockpit instruments can then be checked while applying test pressures.

The ADTS 505 hand terminal has now transformed what was a time-consuming two-man operation (one technician outside with the ADTS 505 and the other in the cockpit) into a simple one-man operation. Now, the test technician sits in the aircraft cockpit with the terminal and passes a cable through the cockpit window. From there he is able to read the measurement data regarding outside pressures. The technician is now in full control of the "flight pressures" required for any test scenario on aircraft ranging from a Cessna to a Concorde.

Developers at Druck researched the embedded market for an RTOS that was flexible in order to support any interface expansion. The RTOS had to be highly reliable with carefully crafted and tested coding. Also, the software needed to fit well with the development and debug environment that Druck had already planned to use. The most serious constraint was project timescale. Druck developers had important deadlines to make and an uncomfortably short development window. They had to look very seriously at what the RTOS vendor market had to offer that could support and possibly enhance this type of project.

After Druck performed a market sweep of suitable vendor products, Accelerated Technology's Nucleus PLUS real-time kernel came out quite clearly as a strong contender and was implemented in the development of the ADTS 505 terminal.

"Nucleus PLUS has given our instrument the reliable 'heart' that it needs to compete and perform in a challenging market place. Aviation support customers are some of the most demanding people I have ever met, and only the best is good enough. Our thanks to the Accelerated Technology team for a great product, which undoubtedly assisted us to make the development of our product happen," said Peter McCarthy, engineering group leader, ADTS Development, Druck Limited.

"In an application such as the ADTS 505 hand set, software designers must be confident in the robustness and completeness of the RTOS that plays an integral part of the solution. Nucleus PLUS has proven many times to meet these requirements. We are very happy that our products can play such a vital part in the continued safety of air transportation," said Robert Day, director of marketing for the Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics.

Availability and Pricing

Nucleus embedded software is licensed with source code and without royalty fees. Available now, licenses for Nucleus PLUS start at U.S. $12,495. For more information, please contact Accelerated Technology at 800-468-6853 or info@acceleratedtechnology.com.

For information about Druck and the ADTS 505 hand terminal, please visit www.druck.com or contact Mr. David Dean at (+44) 0116 231 7100 or e-mail at DeanD@druck.com.

About Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $650 million and employs approximately 3,500 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777; Silicon Valley headquarters are located at 1001 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131-2314. World Wide Web site: www.mentor.com.

Accelerated Technology, Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics Corporation, is located in Mobile, Alabama with sales offices and distributors worldwide. By providing embedded systems developers with a focus on service, well-documented source code and industry-leading non-royalty-based Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) software, AT's RTOS software shortens time-to-market and provides a complete solution for engineers. For more information, please visit www.acceleratedtechnology.com or email us at info@acceleratedtechnology.com.

Mentor Graphics and Accelerated Technology are registered trademarks and Nucleus is a trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Mentor Graphics/Accelerated Technology
             Jennifer Whiddon Tanveer, 251-661-5770 ext. 5032
             jennifer_tanveer@mentor.com
             or
             Mentor Graphics
             Suzanne Graham, 503-685-7789
             suzanne_graham@mentor.com