Mentor Graphics Nucleus RTOS Improves System Reliability and Performance for Safety-Critical Systems

WILSONVILLE, Ore., October 17, 2013 — Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT) today announced a new version of the Nucleus® real time operating system (RTOS) targeting high-performance, next-generation applications for connected embedded devices.  The Nucleus RTOS introduces a lightweight and scalable process model that provides partitioned and protected memory regions for increased system reliability in safety-critical applications, including medical, industrial and aerospace. In addition, the Nucleus software trace technology has also been enhanced to include support for middleware stacks, enabling performance and power optimization. 

“This new version of the Nucleus RTOS allows embedded developers to deliver advanced, sophisticated products with features that you would expect from more general purpose operating systems,” said Rajeev Kumar, director of worldwide marketing and business development for Freescale’s Microcontroller business. “Nucleus provides outstanding value by providing advanced system reliability in an affordable package—ideal for high-end devices using the Freescale i.MX family of processors.”

System Reliability and Partitioning

The Nucleus software trace technology, built on the Mentor® Embedded Sourcery™ Analyzer tool, provides even greater system visibility with trace support for middleware stacks. The software also provides a common time reference to analyze variables and events across the entire system, the Nucleus RTOS kernel, application project, and middleware stack in order to optimize the full system for performance as well as resource utilization and power efficiency. 

With the new Nucleus RTOS process model, embedded system developers can partition their device modularly and isolate software sub-systems in order to protect against faults that can bring down the entire system.  Memory partitioning is also useful for field upgrades and optimizing resource utilization by loading only the files needed based on runtime requirements—as requirements change modules can be uninstalled and additional modules loaded. 

“Our latest Nucleus release was developed to serve today’s advanced and highly connected embedded devices with high-performance and cost-efficient networking, security and graphics requirements,” said Scot Morrison, general manager of Runtime Solutions, Mentor Graphics Embedded Software Division. “Nucleus delivers unmatched value by delivering robust system reliability with space partitioning and device optimization with cutting-edge system data visualization capabilities.”

Middleware Data Visualization for Optimum Device Performance

Based on the award-winning Sourcery Analyzer technology, Nucleus software trace provides unparalleled data visualization capability in a system using a common time reference that correlates all aspects of the connected device.  The Nucleus software trace tool associates Nucleus RTOS tasks, network IP activity, device activity, and power management metrics to allow system debug and device tuning for optimal performance using a single data visualization environment.

The Nucleus RTOS with Nucleus process model currently supports device families based on ARM MMU-enabled cores from semiconductor suppliers including Altera, Freescale, Texas Instruments and Xilinx.

Nucleus Product Information and Availability

The Mentor Embedded Nucleus product is available now, with starting list price for the Nucleus source code at $6,000 (USD).  To learn more and to download a trial version of this latest version of the Nucleus RTOS, visit http://www.mentor.com/embedded-software/nucleus/.  For additional product information, contact a Mentor Embedded sales representative or call 800-547-3000. 

About Mentor Embedded

The Mentor Graphics® Embedded Software Division enables embedded development for a variety of applications including automotive, industrial, smart energy, medical devices, and consumer electronics. Embedded developers can create systems with the latest processors and micro-controllers with commercially supported and customizable Linux®-based solutions including the industry-leading Sourcery™ CodeBench and Mentor Embedded Linux products.  For real-time control systems, developers can take advantage of the small-foot-print and low-power-capable Nucleus® RTOS. For more information, visit www.mentor.com/embedded.

About Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics Corporation 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 electronic, semiconductor and systems companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues in the last fiscal year of nearly $1,090 million. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777. World Wide Web site: http://www.mentor.com/.