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Virtual System Prototyping/Simulation Tools Predicted to Grow Fastest

Recently published research by Venture Development Corp. of Natick, Mass. found that virtual system prototyping/simulation tools were the fastest growing segment of the electronic system level (ESL) tools market.

With the complexity of both hardware and software growing, the challenge of designing and testing software earlier in the design process is becoming an increasingly significant factor, especially in cases where the hardware environment may be extremely complex and/or not yet available. In addition to the continued use of physical prototyping, VDC expects an increased use of virtual prototyping methods as a strategy for developing software more efficiently and validating software/hardware interaction earlier in the design process.

VDC defines virtual system prototyping/simulation tools as ESL tools that enable the creation, assembly, and simulation of hardware/system designs modeled at a high level of abstraction and offer simulation speeds fast enough to enable efficient software development.

“In our view, these tools differ from instruction set simulators in the degree of speed, cycle accuracy, and system simulation coverage that they can provide,” says Matt Volckmann, senior analyst with VDC’s Embedded Software Practice. “Within the ESL market, these tools stand out as the segment most directly addressing issues related to complex hardware/software interaction, while also addressing the issue of the larger ‘system’ outside of an IC or SoC.”

In addition to allowing for earlier software development and fast execution of complex hardware architectures, virtual system prototyping/simulation tools also offer a number of other potential benefits to their users. According to Volckmann, “Virtual system prototyping/simulation tools offer portability and replicability benefits, that enable distributed teams to have access to identical versions of common virtual prototypes. These tools also promise greater visibility into complex systems, allowing developers to use advanced debugging methods and more comprehensively observe system function without the need for sophisticated probing techniques applied to physical hardware.”

Don’t forget to check our Software Report in every issue of Canadian Electronics magazine for the latest ESL tools.

Tim Gouldson,
Editor, Canadian Electronics
tgouldson@clbmedia.ca

Coming in the next issue of
Canadian Electronics

• Relays & Switches

• Optoelectronics & LEDs

• Passive Components

• Wire & Cable

• Power Supplies

• Software Report

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Wireless & Mobile Expo and Conference
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Contact: Ronnie Sant
Tel. 416-292-0038, ext. 812
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Canadian Workshop on MEMS and Microfluidics
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Web site: www.cmc.ca/cwmems_2007

Rockwell Automation 16th annual Automation Fair
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Active RFID & RTLS Summit
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LEDs: Future Electronics has launched a new Web site for the lighting community, www.futurelightingsolutions.com, dedicated to providing detailed design, engineering and solution information required to build solid-state lighting solutions. The site features complementary infrastructure solutions including power, thermal, optical and integration solutions as well as tools, guides and Certified Solutions Partner information all created to assist lighting designers and engineers develop new LED lighting solutions.

Air filters: The new Web site for Universal Air Filter (www.uaf.com) is easier for design engineers to navigate. Useful design tools such as 3D CAD models, a free prototype service and aftermarket filter information can now be quickly found on a series of easy-to-locate banners prominently displayed on the UAF home page. Online order forms to request a quote and an easy-access sign-up form to receive a free online newsletter also are included on the new site.

RFID: Intermec has launched a new version of its Web site, www.intermec.com, with state-of-the-art search capabilities, faster navigation and dynamic product information. The product section includes 360-degree product demos for most of Intermec’s top products. The ‘product specs’ pages feature an interactive product comparison tool for side-by-side assessments of products. The site also features a Learning Center, a single resource that includes a dynamic glossary of terms, a detailed events and Webinars calendar, and a searchable library of case studies and white papers.

Power Supplies: SL Power Electronics Corp. has launched tools that provide customers and prospects simplified standard product selection for its Ault and Condor brands of power supplies. The SL Power Web site creates one central location for customers and prospects to gather information about and start the purchase process for internal and external power supplies while the brochure provides an off-the-shelf quick reference guide to the company’s capabilities and products. www.slpower.com

Learn.automationdirect.com is here

Learn.automationdirect.com offers video tutorials on a variety of industrial control topics. Watch one to 30 minute segments covering product categories including PLCs, operator interfaces, software, sensors, motor control, drives and motors, and more. Updated periodically, this new learning site offers videos covering products and general information about automation and control. Each page also has a link to our suggestions page where you can provide feedback and suggestions on information currently on the site.

Omron Touch Sensing ICs available from Digi-Key

From Digi-Key, the B6TS Touch Sensing IC family from Omron is designed to integrate quickly and easily with any capacitive touch interface application and Omron's development kits allow for a much shorter design cycle. Touch keys can integrate onto glass, plastic, marble, wood and rubber, with no moving parts to wear out.


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