Enea’s RT software platform aids application of 16-bit automotive processors

Availability of EE-Auto real-time (RT) software platform from Enea was recently announced to complement a line of 16-bit microcontrollers developed by Freescale Semiconductor for automotive applications. Enea’s EE-Auto software enables designers using the new microcontrollers (MCUs) to implement increasingly sophisticated distributed electronic control systems found in modern automobiles in a cost-effective way, says Enea. Freescale’s M68HC12 and HCS12 microcontrollers are used in various automotive applications, such as electronic four-wheel drive, seat and mirror control, door modules, remote keyless entry, and anti-theft systems.

EE-Auto platform combines OSE’s Epsilon RTOS (real-time operating system) with a development environment, distributed interprocess communications framework, and networking subsystem—which are said to be easy to use. Interprocess communications framework is message-based; it simplifies distributed design by allowing multiple processes running on multiple processors to communicate seamlessly. As a result designers can more easily build distributed, multiprocessor control networks, with a master governor coordinating activities of multiple independent automobile control subsystems (braking, engine control, and telematics). Written entirely in assembler language, OSE Epsilon:

• Features preemptive, priority-based task scheduling (with context switching speed of less than 300 ns);

• Occupies as little as 2 kB RAM;

• Provides integrated error handling; and

• Offers worst-case interrupt latency of 1

“EE-Auto platform for HC12 microcontrollers allows automotive suppliers and manufacturers to design advanced and robust control systems with multiple linked 16-bit controllers using the same RTOS kernel,” says Nicklas Gustafson, product marketing manager at Enea. A variety of on-board peripherals complement 68HC12 microcontroller’s core: for example, memory, timers, A/D converters, flash memory, and communications interfaces, such as CAN (Control Area Network).

EE-Auto provides a complete networking solution, including TCP/IP, Web server, embedded file system, and Internet utilities. Development support for OSE Epsilon running on HCS12 processors includes the IAR Embedded Workbench, which features a C/C++ compiler and an OSE-aware C-Spy debugger. Enea also offers its own OSE Soft Kernel simulator, which allows designers to develop and test their code on a PC without the need for target hardware.
Pricing for EE-Auto software for HC12 processors starts at $8,000 for a 1-10 developer’s seat.

—Frank J. Bartos, executive editor, Control Engineering, fbartos@reedbusiness.com

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