MIPS Technologies (News - Alert) has announced the introduction of the new MIPS Navigator Integrated Component Suite (ICS) enabling embedded developers to code, debug and analyze Linux systems on MIPS-based SoCs and embedded systems. Navigator ICS encompasses all tools and technologies for development of a product with innovative components for Linux development.

 

“Developers today face mounting pressures in controlling the development timeline and optimizing embedded systems to meet performance and cost requirements,” said Chris Rommel, analyst, Embedded Software Practice, Venture Development Corporation.

 

“As more embedded projects migrate to Linux and developers look for ways to save valuable time and resources, the ability to effectively and efficiently debug and profile will continue to be placed at a premium,” stated Rommel.

 

MIPS Navigator ICS provides tools and plug-ins necessary for coding, debugging and analyzing Linux targets. For coding, a MIPS-optimized version of Sourcery G++ which is a complete C/C++ development environment from CodeSourcery is used. This is based on the GNU Toolchain and the Eclipse Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

 

Developers will be able to output non-position independent code (PIC) for better performance in Linux applications. They can also debug with Navigator ICS by using an innovative optional plug-in-the Arriba Linux Debugger which is better than the traditional debugging methods in Linux. There is no need for instrument, recompile or kernel patches. Debugging capabilities include debugging drivers and applications over a single connection, debugging multiple threads/processes, and debugging Shared Libraries. Arriba Linux Debugger is most suitable for multimedia/real-time applications and drivers.

 

Linux Event Analyzer (LEA) is a plug-in which provides application-level profiling for all MIPS-based devices running Linux. It captures Linux events and graphically displays these events with time and details conveniently. This complements the Hot Spot Analyzer (HSA) from MIPS.

 

Navigator ICS includes standard and optional functions like Eclipse-based IDE with C/C++ CDT (News - Alert), Bare-iron and GNU/Linux tool chain, MIPSsim executables for MIPS cores, standard plug-ins for debug, control and configuration of targets besides plug-ins for advanced analysis.

 

MIPS Technologies is a semiconductor design IP company. It provides processors, analog IP and software tools for the embedded market. It powers popular digital products such as in home networking, entertainment, wireless and portable media devices. It also powers broadband devices from Linksys (News - Alert), DTVs and consumer devices from Sony, DVD, digital set-top boxes from Motorola and routers from Cisco.