RTOS and Application Modules enhance Cortex-M3/-M4 systems.
Press Release Summary:
ThreadX® with Downloadable Application Modules (ThreadX with DAMs) for ARM Cortex-M3/-M4 systems enables ThreadX-based applications to dynamically run application code that is not statically linked with main system executable image. This lets selected application threads be packaged into module and guarded by Cortex-M3/-M4 MPU. Unintended access is prevented from outside module's memory space, and system is protected from any unintended actions of threads within module.
Original Press Release:
Express Logic's ThreadX with Downloadable Application Modules Brings Big-System Features to Cortex-M3/-M4
ThreadX® apps gain remote-update capabilities and memory protection
Electronics Design Show, Coventry, U.K. –Â Express Logic, Inc., the worldwide leader in royalty-free real-time operating systems (RTOSes), today announced the immediate availability of ThreadX with Downloadable Application Modules (ThreadX with DAMs) for ARM Cortex-M3/-M4 systems. ThreadX with DAMs enables ThreadX-based applications to dynamically run application code that is not statically linked with the main system executable image. This enables selected application threads to be packaged into a module and guarded by the Cortex-M3/-M4 MPU. This also helps to prevent unintended access from outside the module’s memory space and protect the system from any unintended actions of threads within a module.
With ThreadX with DAMs, applications gain increased functionality without the cost or footprint of additional memory. This is because the DAMs can be dynamically activated to provide additional functionality, such as on-demand reconfiguration and application updates for deployed systems. The ThreadX with DAMs technology is ideal for situations in which total application code size exceeds available memory, new application modules need to be added after the product is deployed, or partial firmware updates are required. For greater system security, the technology also enables memory protection of individual threads and groups of threads.
The architecture of the kernel-module structure used in ThreadX with DAM is one that is not typically found in RTOSes serving Cortex-M3/-M4 systems. Instead, the architecture mirrors the kernel-module structure more commonly found in large virtual-memory operating systems, such as Windows and Linux.
The Module Manager that is part of ThreadX with DAMs and resident within the ThreadX kernel interfaces with each module and fields all module requests for ThreadX API services. Although there is only one copy of the Module Manager, there is no limit on the number of modules that can be loaded at one time or the number of threads in any one module.
If desired, selected application threads can be linked directly with the ThreadX kernel and made to reside in target memory as part of its main executable image, rather than as part of a module. This option enables developers to avoid having to reload the modules containing these threads and helps to guarantee the best possible performance.
“With the introduction of ThreadX with Downloadable Application Modules for Cortex-M3 and -M4 systems, ThreadX gains the functionality previously found only in larger, more expensive RTOSes while continuing to provide the small footprint, high performance, and ease of use that more than one billion ThreadX-based systems are known for,” noted William E. Lamie, President of Express Logic. “Using ThreadX with Downloadable Application Modules, developers can structure their applications with greater functionality and protection from external interference than ever before.”
Pricing and Availability
ThreadX with Downloadable Application Modules is available royalty free with full source code at license prices starting at $18,500.
About Express Logic and ThreadX
Headquartered in San Diego, CA, Express Logic offers the most advanced run-time solutions for deeply embedded applications, including the popular ThreadX® RTOS, the high-performance NetX™ TCP/IP stack, the FileX™ embedded MS-DOS compatible file system, and the USBX™ Host/Device USB protocol stack. All products from Express Logic include full source code and have no run-time royalties. For more information about Express Logic solutions, please visit the website at http://www.expresslogic.com, call 1-888-THREADX, or email inquiries to sales@expresslogic.com.
ThreadX, TraceX, and FileX are registered trademarks, and Certification Pack, NetX, USBX, StackX, preemption-threshold, picokernel, and UDP fast path are trademarks of Express Logic, Inc. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.
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