MontaVista, Motorola Bring Linux to iMX1 Processors

Electronics and wireless device giant Motorola is adding
support for embedded Linux in its “DragonBall” family of processors via
MontaVista’s Linux Professional Edition 3.0.

The deal expands a relationship between the two companies established in March, when Motorola opted to turn to MontaVista for the operating system for its A760 Linux-Java phone.

Embedded Linux specialist MontaVista said it added support for its
Linux Professional Edition for Motorola’s family of i.MX1 and i.MXL
applications. The alliance is expected to help put
Motorola’s i.MX processors on a faster-track for the development of the
next-generation of advanced electronics devices such as smart phones and
PDAs.

Both i.MX1 and i.MXL (media extension) processors, which build on
Motorola’s successful “DragonBall” family of processors, are designed using
“smart speed” techniques to maximize applications performance with the
lowest possible power consumption for use in smartphones, personal digital
assistants (PDAs) and many other mobile devices.

Franz Fink, vice president and general manager in Motorola’s wireless and
mobile group, said MontaVista Linux was a popular choice for its embedded
applications because of its comprehensive feature-set and extensive software
components.

The i.MX processors, which are based on ARM’s core
microprocessor architecture, enable on-chip integration with features such
as multimedia extensions and video port, which ultimately help manufacturers
lower system costs by using fewer components in their wireless devices.

Judith Wheatley, vice president of business development at MontaVista
Software, said the company’s embedded Linux alliance on Motorola’s i.MX
family forms a solid development platform for embedded devices, which can

help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) significantly reduce design
complexity and speed time-to-market for next-generation and highly
differentiated wireless products.

MontaVista has also moved to join the recently-announced CE Linux Forum
(CELF), a group of electronics and technology companies, many of which are already MontaVista’s customers. The companies have come together in an
alliance geared to improving Linux as a platform for digital consumer electronics
devices.