"Designers can model and simulate real-time systems using a graphical environment, then automatically generate code, shortening development cycles."

LOS GATOS, Calif.—September 20, 1994—Nu Thena Systems, Inc. and Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc. announced the integration of Nu Thena's Foresight systems modeling and simulation tool with the LynxOS real-time operating system. Embedded system designers can now develop and optimize complex embedded systems using Foresight's graphical environment, and then automatically generate a fully functional implementation of the software design in C code for LynxOS targets. As a result, complex embedded systems can now be developed with reduced costs and within shorter development cycles. To achieve this, Nu Thena incorporated LynxOS compatibility into its automatic C code generator, FS/CoderC.

Nu Thena offers a suite of embedded system design tools, which is based upon Foresight, a graphical system modeling and simulation tool for analysis and design of complex embedded systems. Foresight incorporates a rich and expressive executable system modeling language for capturing and analyzing complex embedded system requirements and designs. Its modeling language includes hierarchical block diagrams, state machines, and a comprehensive procedural language. Foresight also incorporates over 100 pre-defined library elements, including signal generators, filters, queues, and process resources (CPUs, buses, etc.). Additionally, it supports the development of user-defined reusable elements. Foresight's simulation engine facilitates extensive dynamic analysis of system models, permitting engineers to ensure the correctness of system functionality and to optimize the system architectural design. For example, engineers using Foresight analyze the impacts of various allocations of software functions to threads of control, and the allocation of those threads on to processors. Undesirable behavioral properties such as deadlock and race conditions can be identified and eliminated from system designs very early in the development cycle. Foresight has demonstrated reduced development times and costs in a range of application areas such as telecommunications, aerospace and defense, transportation systems, and medical electronics.

When Foresight is coupled with Nu Thena's C code generator, FS/CoderC, real-time applications can be rapidly prototyped and implemented. With FS/CoderC's new support for LynxOS, application software can be automatically generated and then executed on embedded target hardware running LynxOS. This capability adds a powerful new dimension to embedded systems development.

According to the Embedded Systems Support Group at CERN (footnote 1) (European Laboratory for Particle Physics), "As a user of both Foresight and LynxOS, we have been looking for solutions to bridge the gap from systems modeling and simulation to real-time embedded system implementation. This achievement presents a major step towards assuring a seamless transition from design to implementation."

FS/CoderC for LynxOS will be available from Nu Thena Systems in the fourth quarter of 1994. For more information on Foresight, contact Nu Thena at (703) 356-5056.

About Nu Thena Systems

Nu Thena Systems has corporate headquarters in McLean, Virginia, with distributors throughout Europe. In addition to Foresight and its C code generator, FS/CoderC, Nu Thena offers a suite of systems engineering and design automation products for co-simulation, graphical user interface prototyping, requirements traceability, and documentation generation. Nu Thena also provides training, consulting, and product maintenance services.

About Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc.

Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc. is a leading supplier of open, real-time operating systems based on LynxOS, for high-end (32 bit and above) microprocessors. Its products support the capabilities of the high-end microprocessor, including the hardware memory management unit, and conform to evolving industry standards, particularly UNIX and POSIX, simplifying the porting between different platforms. The company was established in 1985, and is headquartered in San José, California, with sales offices in Europe and Japan.

About CERN

CERN is an international organization consisting of 19 member nations. Located in Geneva, Switzerland, CERN employs a staff of around 3,000 personnel and hosts approximately 6,000 visiting international researchers annually.

LynxOS and the Lynx logo are trademarks of Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc. Foresight is a trademark of Nu Thena Systems, Inc. All other product names, trademarks, and registered trademarks, are the property of their respective holders.

LynuxWorks press contacts

Kirsten Long Director, Marketing Communications LynuxWorks, Inc. USA +1 408-979-4404	Dave Reddy Weber Shandwick USA +1 650-868-4659	Peter van der Sluijs Neesham Public Relations Europe +44 1442-879222
Hamid Mirab Managing Director EMEA LynuxWorks Ltd. United Kingdom +44 208-906-9506	Elvia Soltero Weber Shandwick USA +1 408-685-0614