OTTAWA and DALLAS, October 19, 2004 - QNX Software Systems and Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) today announced a strategic collaboration to deliver next-generation in-car audio systems based on the QNX® Neutrino® realtime operating system (RTOS) and TI's dual-core OMAP5912 digital signal processor (DSP)-based solution. The companies' joint offering provides automotive OEMs a complete, off-the-shelf package to accelerate the development of high-performance in-car audio systems that can integrate satellite radio and telematics services, rip CDs as they're playing, leverage wireless technologies to access home networks, and save a wide array of multimedia content onto built-in hard drives.As part of the collaboration, QNX is providing a Board Support Package (BSP) that combines the reliability and scalability of QNX Neutrino RTOS with the high processing performance and low power consumption capabilities of TI's OMAP5912 platform, which incorporates a TMS320C55x™ DSP core and an ARM926EJ-S ARM core.
"The QNX Neutrino RTOS and TI OMAP™ platform offer features that are highly complementary, resulting in an integrated solution optimized for advanced radio systems that will change the way drivers and passengers access and listen to music and other infotainment applications," said Curt Moore, manager of Digital Radio and Infotainment, TI. "The OMAP architecture excels at processing audio content while concurrent processing is going on thanks to its dual core, while QNX delivers a reliable, realtime platform that can handle the performance requirements of next-generation car radios."
Until now, the critical requirements that must be met for high-performance audio systems have not been adequately addressed. Power management for in-car devices like radio is highly complex and can vary from vehicle to vehicle. For instance, a device may need to deliver predictable response times while in low-power states, fine-tune power consumption in response to vehicle-specific events, or maintain operational readiness for days, or even weeks, after the ignition has been turned off.
Both QNX Neutrino and the OMAP platform deliver power management capabilities that ensure precise, fine-grained control over the power consumption of each system component. Whether high-end or low-end, in-car audio systems must operate within ultra-low power budgets, in which the combined draw of all devices cannot exceed several milliamps or, in some cases, microamps. TI's power-efficient OMAP processor further ensures extended battery life. Developers can boost overall application performance on OMAP through the low-power, real-time signal processing capabilities of a DSP coupled with the command and control functionality of an ARM processor.
"Radios are a basic feature in every vehicle that rolls off the factory belt. Given the pace of technological developments in the last few years, there's no reason why the average consumer cannot have advanced audio systems in their car that go well beyond just listening to music," said Dan Dodge, CEO of QNX Software Systems. "Together, QNX and TI are offering the most advanced platform for OEMs to build next-generation audio systems that make music, maps, and other infotainment content more portable, storable, and accessible than ever."
Availability
The QNX BSP for OMAP5912 is expected to be available in November 2004.
About QNX Software Systems
With millions of installations worldwide, QNX Software Systems is the global leader in realtime, microkernel operating system technology. Companies like Cisco, DaimlerChrysler, Harris, Siemens, and General Electric rely on QNX technology to build ultra-reliable systems for the networking, automotive, medical, military, and industrial automation markets. Founded in 1980, QNX Software Systems maintains offices throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Visit http://www.qnx.com.
About TI
Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet its customers' real-world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design, or sales operations in more than 25 countries. Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. Visit www.ti.com.
Editorial Contacts
Paul Leroux
QNX Software Systems
+1 613 591-0931
paull@qnx.com
Stephanie Groswirt
Texas Instruments
+1 214 480-2512
s-groswirt@ti.com