A consortium of telecommunications companies, real-time systems vendors and microprocessor manufacturers will this week announce they are starting work on a $11m project called Stream to develop a range of Chorus microkernel-based real-time and distributed operating systems for the embedded market. The project is backed by the European Union’s Open Microprocessor Initiative, and members include Chorus Systemes SA, Alcatel NV, L M Ericsson Telefon AB, Philips NV, Siemens AG, and GEC Alsthom SA. Matra MHS SA, which builds the 32-bit Sparc microcontroller 90C700 family, and Advanced Micro Devices Inc, which makes the 29000 RISC and E Series Am486 processor ranges, will provide their fellow members with ready-to-use hardware, but additional conversions are planned. The aim is to deliver portable and scalable real-time microkernels and related development tools to the telecommunications, networking and real-time embedded markets within two years. The microkernels will have application programming interface support for Posix, networking, distributed configurations and Unix, and will be made publicly available. They will be marketed by Chorus Systemes and Stream members also intend to integrate them into their respective product ranges. Target applications for the embedded systems include private branch exchanges, broadband communications systems, switching and internetworking equipment, on-board software for high-speed trains, personal digital assistants, interactive television and video games.
