Press Releases

Reference board facilitates developments with SH7723 02/04/2009

Reference board facilitates developments with SH7723

MPC Data Inc announced the immediate availability of a reference and development kit for the Renesas SH7723 with complete documentation for rapid development of OEM solutions. The HiCO.DIMM7723 provided by emtrion GmbH (Karlsruhe, Germany) provides an easy introduction to Renesas’ audio and video technologies. Board support packages supplied with the developer kits are available for Microsoft Windows CE 6.0 R2 and a Linux 2.6.27 kernel. The system consists of an SO-DIMM CPU module and a choice of carrier boards. As well as the processor, the SO-DIMM CPU module also contains the memory chips, Ethernet controller and RTC. The two carrier boards each feature all the components that experience has shown customers need, such as audio, video, USB host and device interfaces based on USB 2.0, and a 100 MBit Ethernet interface, power supply and connector. The reference boards are not only suitable for evaluation and development, but can also be used directly for end applications. This significantly cuts development times for OEM projects. The solution is also extremely low power, making it ideal for mobile applications. Additionally, the HiCO.DIMM7723 BSPs will incorporate Renesas’ codecs and hardware accelerators when available.

SH7723 for visualization interfaces in embedded systems

Video and Audio UIs are increasingly being used to provide operating instructions directly and present rich, interactive control panels on the device. With the SH7723, Renesas is offering a specific 32-bit RISC component for these types of audio and video applications with graphics acceleration for complex GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces). The processor features onboard multimedia interfaces, video in/out, a 5 megapixel camera interface, an audio processor, LCD controller, 2D graphics acceleration and SD card controller and operates at a frequency of 400 MHz with L2 cache and powerful FPU (Floating Point Unit). MPEG-4/H.264 acceleration directly on the hardware allows video recordings and decoding at up to 30 frames per second.

Both emtrion and MPC Data are Platinum level Renesas Global Alliance Program members, with many years experience with Renesas’ SH range of RISC devices, enabling them to give in-depth consultancy, support and services to Renesas customers.

MPC Data and Renesas Technology Europe announce Little Blue Linux development kits 03/03/2009

London, 3^rd March 2009 – MPC Data, a leading turnkey design house and systems integrator, together with Renesas Technology Europe have announced the launch of the Little Blue Linux range of professional embedded Linux software development kits (SDK’s).

The first Little Blue Linux Professional SDK targets the popular low-cost RSK+7203 development kit from Renesas Technology Europe. Featuring a high performance 200MHz SH7203 from Renesas’ SH-2A microcontroller family and running the latest stable and royalty free Linux BSP and cross-development tools from MPC Data, the evaluation board and SDK offers a painless transition to embedded Linux. This combination is ideal for development teams accustomed to traditional highly integrated RTOS products in the industrial control and consumer electronics marketplace.

Comprising a suite of professional software development kits and focused training courses, Little Blue Linux Is targeted towards embedded Linux based OEM products and supports a range of silicon platforms. Little Blue Linux is based on a host Debian distribution with an Eclipse based Igloo Integrated Development Environment (IDE) specifically tailored for embedded Linux development. Supporting interactive target debugging alongside full-featured production quality Linux board support packages (BSPs), the kits enable both experienced and first-time Linux developers accelerate product development by harnessing the best of open source software.

Each professional development kit comes complete with build tools and custom BSP wizards to automate the task of generating target flash images by selecting system components to include and deploy to your device. Each Professional SDK developer seat purchased includes support from the Linux development experts at MPC Data.

Dave Greenall, Systems Applications Group Manager at Renesas Technology Europe commented, “We are delighted to offer our silicon customers additional leading-edge embedded Linux OS support options through these production-ready SDK’s. The Linux development expertise, support and training offered by our Platinum Partner MPC Data makes embedded Linux a low-risk and cost effective design solution for our customers.”

Phil Buckley, MPC Data’s Linux Embedded Business Group Director added “MPC Data has incorporated many years of professional Linux expertise into a comprehensive and stable SDK platform saving both developer time and end-product cost through royalty-free runtime licensing. Our goal has been to offer a low-cost, hassle-free and full-featured development environment that drives the adoption of embedded Linux in OEM products. We have given our SDK customers the tools that we use to make their product development easier.”

For details of forthcoming embedded Linux training seminars or to obtain a free evaluation SDK CD visit the Renesas distributors Glyn GmbH and MSC GmbH at the Embedded World 2009 conference in Nuremberg, Germany 3^rd to 5^th March.

The professional version of the Little Blue Linux SDK for the Renesas RSK+7203 will be available early Q2 09.

A free evaluation version of the RSK+7203 is available now for download through the www.littlebluelinux.com website or in CD format direct from MPC Data on request.

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About MPC Data

MPC Data, a Renesas Platinum Global Alliance Partner is a leading turnkey design house in complete system and software custom design. With their European headquarters in Trowbridge UK and North American offices in Redmond WA, MPC Data offers services in hardware and software engineering especially in industrial environments, with a strong emphasis on embedded and/or real-time developments. With many years of experience in Windows Embedded, Embedded Linux and RTOS, and thanks to its partnerships with Renesas and Microsoft, MPC Data is the key partner for OEMs, offering consultation, software/hardware design and integration services from proof of concept to volume production. For further information on Little Blue Linux products, please visit www.littlebluelinux.com and for details of our systems integration services visit www.mpcdata.com.

About Renesas Technology Corp.
Renesas Technology Corp. is one of the world's leading semiconductor system solutions providers for mobile, automotive and PC/AV (Audio Visual) markets and the world's No.1 supplier of microcontrollers. It is also a leading provider of LCD Driver ICs, Smart Card microcontrollers, RF-ICs, High Power Amplifiers, Mixed Signal ICs, System-on-Chip (SoC), System-in-Package (SiP) and more. Established in 2003 as a joint venture between Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501, NYSE:HIT) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TSE:6503), Renesas Technology achieved consolidated revenue of 951 billion JPY in FY2007 (end of March 2008). Renesas Technology is based in Tokyo, Japan and has a global network of manufacturing, design and sales operations in 17 countries with 26,800 employees worldwide. For further information, please visit http://www.renesas.com

Headquartered in Buckinghamshire, UK, Renesas Technology Europe has offices in Denmark, Finland, France, Germany (3 offices), Italy, Spain, Sweden and Turkey, and representation via related companies in the Czech Republic, South Africa, Russia and Israel.

In Europe, Renesas focuses on automotive (control, networking, infotainment), wireless (GSM, CDMA and Bluetooth), smart card and microcontroller applications such as white goods, motor control, metering, energy management, building security and healthcare. It employs over 150 engineers to develop solutions for the European market and to assist customers with application development. Renesas is a leading supplier of smart card ICs in Europe. Europe is the world’s largest market for automotive electronics and microcontrollers, and is the region of most design influence for wireless electronic products. Feedback from customers in Europe has great influence on Renesas’ product development.

For further information, please visit http://www.renesas.com or for Europe visit http://www.renesas.eu

Microsoft Auto training and product development services for Europe and USA.  02/03/2009

LONDON, UK, Redmond WA, – 2 March, 2009 - MPC Data, a Microsoft Windows Embedded Gold Partner, announced today that it that has been selected as an official Microsoft Auto training partner under a new initiative launched by Microsoft.

Microsoft Auto is an industry leading platform specifically designed to enable in-vehicle infotainment experiences and connected services. Automotive manufacturers and tier-1 suppliers around the world, including Ford, Hyundai-Kia, and Fiat have recognized the benefits of Microsoft Auto in reducing product development risk and time to market, and delivering unique and innovative in-car experiences to consumers.

“The growth in adoption and the breadth of solutions on the Microsoft Auto platform has created more demand for technical training” said Kunju Kothari, Director of Business Development at Microsoft, “MPC Data’s proven track record of providing training and product development services for Microsoft Auto in Europe and North America make them a clear choice for our new training partner program.”

MPC Data’s expertise with Microsoft Auto is based on substantial Windows CE experience as well as from extensive work on real-world Microsoft Auto product development. They have worked closely with Microsoft to develop support for the Microsoft Auto platform on the Texas Instruments Jacinto 1 and Jacinto 2 reference hardware, including implementation of multi-zone audio and routing support, integration of DSP-based codecs, and performance optimisation. They have also worked with European tier-1 automotive suppliers to create Microsoft Auto based multimedia systems.

Steve Harper, MPC Data’s CEO said:”We are delighted that Microsoft have selected us as Microsoft Automotive training partners. It is great recognition for the skills of our teams, both here in Europe and at our new offices in Redmond, WA. We will be working hard to bring the benefits of Microsoft Auto to a broader range of OEMs.”

About MPC Data

MPC Data is a leading turnkey design house providing complete system and software custom design, as well as training and consultancy services. MPC Data offers services in hardware and software engineering especially in consumer environments with a strong emphasis on embedded and/or real-time developments. With many years of experience in Windows Embedded, Embedded Linux and RTOSs, and thanks to its close partnerships with Microsoft and leading semiconductor vendors, MPC Data is the key partner for OEMs, offering consultation, software/hardware design and integration services from proof of concept to volume production. MPC Data has offices in Europe and the USA.