ALT Software and Freescale Bring Compelling 2D & 3D Graphics to Automotive Infotainment Systems
19 May 2006
ALT Software (www.altsoftware.com) has been selected byFreescale Semiconductor to provide graphics drivers for the FreescaleMedia5200 development platform. ALT's display drivers allow applicationdevelopers to take advantage of the Media5200's Fujitsu Coral PA graphicsprocessor to incorporate hardware-accelerated 2D and 3D graphics into theirapplication. The Media5200 enables developers to create, run, and testapplications for use in Telematics systems. The heart of the system isFreescale's MPC5200B containing a PowerPC® core, a cost-effectivehigh-performance processor targeted specifically to in-vehicle embeddedcomputing platforms.
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Freescale Media5200 running a demonstration
of ALT Software's OpenGL display driver.
Driver options include support for a variety
of real-time operating systems (RTOS).
ALT's collaboration on this project is part of their contribution to themobileGT Alliance, a select group of hardware and software vendors andsystem integrators who support the deployment of Freescale's MPC5200Bprocessor in telematics devices. "ALT Software is a respected leader in theembedded graphics market and we are pleased that they have chosen to bringtheir graphics solutions to the Media5200 development platform," saidMichael Bryars, Operations Manager for Freescale's Infotainment Multimediaand Telematics Division. "ALT's ability to maximize the output of thegraphics processor in the Media5200 and its display drivers' compatibilitywith severaloperating systems made ALT Software our first choice for supportinggraphics in the Media5200."
With advancements in processor technology resulting in more powerfulprocessors, such as the MPC5200B, at lower price points, the automotiveindustry is now taking a serious look at enhancing the user experience ininfotainment systems. End-users may soon be enjoying navigation mappingsystems that include 3D renderings of landmarks and prominent buildings asreference points, or changeable "skins" for stereo interfaces to satisfytheir different tastes. ALT's display software, for example, enables aperson to view a navigation map and have a video window open automaticallyto provide live video feeds from cameras positioned outside a vehicle.Features such as alpha-blending can also allow real-time data, such asincoming phone calls, to "pop-up" on the screen in a translucent windowthat does not obstruct the driver's view of the navigation map. "TheMedia5200 provides an excellent platform for Freescale's customers toevaluate and engage in R&D initiatives that support the rapid developmentof new software and hardware for in-vehicle display systems," said DanJoncas, V.P. of Sales at ALT Software. "We are looking forward to seeingour drivers light up the displays in the coolest, hippest infotainmentsystems of tomorrow."
ALT Software's display drivers use the OpenGL (OpenGraphics Library) API, one of the most broadly used graphics standards inthe world today. One of the strongest advantages to OpenGL is that it isnot tied to any particular operating system, which allows devicemanufacturers to deploy their OpenGL-based applications on their choice ofoperating systems. ALT's drivers support a variety of real-time operatingsystems, including Green Hills INTEGRITY, Wind River VxWorks, QNX Neutrino,and also operate on Microsoft® Windows® XP to facilitate softwaredevelopment. Since OpenGL is used across the entire embedded computingindustry as well as in PC games, it is relatively easy to find softwaredevelopers experienced with its use, which simplifies developmentinitiatives for device manufacturers. OpenGL is constantly being improvedby a massive network of software developers and boasts a multitude ofvisual effects in both 2D and 3D.
About ALT Software
ALT Software is an embedded systems solutions provider whose offeringsinclude device drivers and graphics system development kits. Our strengthsare in software engineering, hardware design and prototype development,with particular expertise in graphics, audio, video, and networking. ALT'sOpenGL graphics drivers are used in automotive and avionics devicesworldwide.
Freescale™ and the Freescale logo are trademarks of FreescaleSemiconductor, Inc. The "PowerPC" name is a trademark of IBM Corp. and usedunder license. All other product or service names are the property of theirrespective owners.
Press Inquiries:Joseph XavierMarketing SpecialistALT Software Inc.(416) 203-8508Email Contact
For Product Information:ALT Software Inc.+1 416 203 8508 ext 1111Email Contact
SOURCE: ALT Software
Source: marketwire
All trademarks and copyrighted information contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
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