Accelerated Technology's Nucleus RTOS Flying in the Skies in Garmin's New Professional Aviation GPS
MOBILE, Ala.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Nov. 19, 2003—
Accelerated Technology(R), the Embedded Systems Division
of Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT), today announced that
its Nucleus(R) Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) has been used by
Garmin International to develop the CNX80 navigational global
positioning system (GPS) designed for general aviation.
The CNX80 GPS allows a pilot to file a flight plan, receive
clearance and program the approved flight plan. The CNX80 GPS includes
the industry's first certified wide area augmentation system (WAAS),
which dramatically improves the accuracy, integrity and availability
features of the GPS and provides for a safer flight of an aircraft.
Garmin developers looked for an RTOS that they could certify
through the FAA to meet the airborne software requirements from
DO-178B for Level B software. Certification requires adequate
documentation that every decision point in the source code is fully
tested to ensure safe operation of an aircraft. Developers tested the
Nucleus PLUS kernel and received FAA certification with no changes
required.
The developers at Garmin took advantage of the Nucleus MNT
prototyping environment, which allows them to build and test their
system without the need for constant access to their actual hardware.
The developers also used other middleware components, including the
Nucleus FILE file management software and the Nucleus GRAFIX software
graphics package, to add extra functionality around the Nucleus PLUS
kernel.
"We began evaluating RTOSes for our navigation application. We
needed a reliable and tested RTOS provided with full source code and
without royalty fees. After evaluating several options, we chose the
Nucleus RTOS. It has served our needs well," said John Pratt, Software
Engineering Team Leader for Garmin AT, a subsidiary of Garmin
International.
"Safety-critical applications like the CNX80 GPS require a kernel
that is reliable and certified to the highest FAA standards. The
Nucleus PLUS kernel underwent stringent testing and completed its
DO-178B certification for this device. We are pleased to be the
software foundation for so many navigational applications in the
avionics industry," said Robert Day, director of marketing for the
Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics.
Availability and Pricing
The Nucleus embedded software is licensed with source code and
without royalty fees. Available now, licenses for the Nucleus RTOS
start at U.S. $12,495. For more information, please contact
Accelerated Technology at 800-468-6853 or
info@acceleratedtechnology.com.
For information about Garmin AT and the CNX80 GPS, please visit
www.garminat.com or contact Mr. Sam Seery at 503-391-3421 or e-mail at
sam.seery@garmin.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 3,600 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, Accelerated Technology and Nucleus are registered
trademarks 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 Tanveer, 251-208-3400 ext 3415
jennifer_tanveer@mentor.com
OR
Mentor Graphics
Suzanne Graham, 503-685-7789
suzanne_graham@mentor.com
