Tapping Into Hidden Graphics PotentiaL

The latest, bleeding-edge, graphics devices can certainly power some truly impressive commercial embedded applications. For many highly-ruggedized applications however, these devices are just simply too large, too power hungry, or too expensive relative to the requirements. In an era where every watt of power saved and every gram of weight reduced translates into direct cost savings, finding and leveraging untapped graphics capability in modern embedded systems can be a beneficial exercise.

Discovering ways to cut costs when it comes to embedded graphics may be easier than expected. Luckily, many mainstream embedded systems ship with often untapped latent graphics capability. Northbridge/Southbridge chipsets for standard X86 motherboards commonly contain ‘onboard’ graphics processing functionality. For example, the GE Intelligent Platforms SBC341 and Curtiss Wright VPX3-1252 both contain Intel GS45 architectures with onboard graphics capability. The GS45 is just one example of supported Intel graphics architectures. Presagis now provides the SeaWind OpenGL 2.1 hardware-accelerated driver for these GPUs.

Leveraging this untapped graphics potential can lead to several resounding benefits; no need to purchase and integrate a discrete graphics device, reduced power/weight/space, fewer connectors and therefore better reliability, reduced part count, faster assembly time and reduced inventory issues. For many graphical applications the onboard Intel device can be more than sufficient.

Onboard Intel graphics capability can be a strong addition to an existing GPU in cases where a second display is required and there simply isn’t enough physical space for another discrete graphics device. The quality of the graphics on the secondary Intel-powered display is typically powerful enough for most mainstream aerospace & defense graphics applications; from basic text up to latest generation heads down displays such as avionics primary flight displays and military ground vehicle displays.

For those wishing to unlock the graphics potential of their Intel-powered embedded systems, Presagis provides software drivers for a wide range of Intel chipsets:

i810/i810e/i810-dc100,i815, i830M,845G,852GM,855GM,865G, 915G/GM,945G/GM/GME,946GZ G/GM/GME/Q965, G/Q33,G/Q35,G41,G/Q43,G/GM/Q45 PineView-M (Atom N400 series) PineView-D (Atom D400/D500 series)

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT \ CURTISS-WRIGHT CONTROLS EMBEDDED COMPUTING

In this issue's partner spotlight, we present a Q&A with Peter Johnston, Graphics and Memory Product Marketing Manager from Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing (CWCEC) who discusses the benefits of partnering with Presagis.

How are customers benefitting today from the Curtiss Wright/Presagis partnership?

Customers benefit because by reselling Presagis graphics software, CWCEC serves as a single source for products from two of the industry leaders within the embedded aerospace and defense industry. Also, by combining CWCEC's expertise in off-the-shelf, ready to be deployed hardware systems and Presagis best in class graphics driver software, we can jump-start our customers' projects. In addition, our mutual customers have the comfort in knowing that, as strong partners, we will continue to support our products together into the future.

What are some of the new products you are working on or have recently released?

In addition to our graphics and frame grabber products, we are currently looking at releasing the following products:

PMC/XMC-552: A next generation SATA Solid State Drive with security VPX6-187: A VPX Power Architecture single board computer based on Freescale’s latest processor, the 8 core P4080 SVME/DMV-186: A VME single board computer based on the P4080 VPX3-685: A 3U high performance layer 2 and 3 Secure Network Router and Switch VPX6-6902: OpenVPX Serial RapidIO and Ethernet Combined Switch

Can you tell us a little bit about the release of the reference platform you are building with Presagis?

Together with Presagis we are delivering a pre-integrated solution that provides a fully integrated COTS package. It combines the most critical components of an embedded 3U VPX processing and graphics display solution, fully tested and verified.

X System Hardware Features:

• VPX3-127 SBC: Single or Dual Core Freescale Power Architecture™ MPC8640 processor up to 1.25GHz rugged 3U VPX SBC
• XMC-710 GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 7700 GPU High End Graphics XMC card
• RTM3-127-000 Rear transition module for VPX3-127 SBC
• 3U chassis (Includes Power Supply)

X System Software Features:

• Wind River VxWorks 6.7 Real-time operating system (RTOS) compatibility
• SeaWind GL/GN Industry leading embedded graphics driver
• VAPS XT advanced software tool for the rapid development of dynamic, interactive graphics for embedded displays.

The Reference platform will be commercially available for customers to purchase in late 2010.

UPCOMING WEB SEMINARS

Be sure to register and attend our upcoming web seminars.

	Harnessing Graphics Power Hidden in Intel Chipsets Join this webinar to learn all about embedded onboard Intel graphics and how Presagis can help you to unlock this capability. September 28th, 2010 - 9:00 AM EDT September 29th, 2010 - 2:00 PM EDT
	ARINC 661 and its Benefits in a Certified Environment Join this webinar to learn more about the ARINC 661 avionics display standard, how it relates to DO-178B certification, and how modern-day HMI tools like VAPS XT can help in the development of certifiable ARINC 661 compliant display graphics. October 14th, 2010 - 11:00 AM EDT
	Developing Graphically Rich & Interactive Menu-Based Embedded Graphics Join this webinar to learn how to develop modern, graphically-rich displays using VAPS XT while maintaining compliance with stringent safety-critical standards. November 18th, 2010 - 11:00 AM EST

WIND RIVER \ PARTNER VALIDATION PROGRAM

The Wind River Partner Validation Program offers a pre-integrated software and hardware ecosystem that helps solve the increasingly important business issues of reducing time-to-market, achieving cost savings, and realizing successful project deployment. The program includes industry-leading application-specific partner software technologies and middleware that have been integrated with the latest release of VxWorks or Wind River Linux operating systems and embedded board vendor offerings.

By using pre-integrated key software and board-level components, equipment providers can spend more time on developing differentiated features than integrating third-party technologies, reducing overall project risk and ultimately accelerating product deployments.

TECHNOLOGY BLOG \ PRODUCT TIPS

Find out about some cool product features as well as tips and tricks in our Product Technology Blog.

Latest blogs: Get the most out of...VAPS XT Anatomy of a Demo: UAS Ground Station Operator Demonstrator

Press ReleaseS

September 23^rd, 2010
Presagis announces a SeaWind OpenGL Hardware-Accelerated Driver Optimized for Intel Chipsets

March 24^th, 2010
Presagis and S3 Graphics team up to provide a graphics processor and driver solution for the safety-critical embedded market

PRESS COVERAGE

July 6, 2010
Embedded News TV
Video Interview: Presagis now offers HMI graphical modeling tools, drivers and devices
An interview with Thierry Le Gall from Presagis about the company's COTS embedded graphic solutions.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Presagis will be exhibiting at these upcoming events. Come and visit our booth  in order to learn more about how Presagis can help you with your project or application.

Presagis will be demonstrating its embedded graphics solutions at the upcoming Wind River North American Aerospace & Defense Technology Forums

Burlington, MA    October 20th, 2010   To register, please visit the Wind River events page.

TRAINING \ UPCOMING SESSIONS

Presagis offers comprehensive training on all of its products to ensure that you can get the most from our software. 

SOCIAL MEDIA \ JOIN THE NETWORK

Perhaps you already use Twitter, Youtube and Flickr to communicate with friends and colleagues or to find out about breaking news and to keep up with technology.

Now you can also follow Presagis and stay current with what's happening at the company and with our products!

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LEARN MORE

If you wish to learn more about Presagis products, or if you would like to know more about upcoming Presagis events, please visit our website for more information.

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