LynxOS to run critical navigational and air-traffic control through on-board computers

SAN JOSÉ, Calif.—June 15, 1998—Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc., a leading supplier of real-time embedded software development solutions, today announced that Aerospatiale—a major equipment manufacturer for Europe's Airbus aircraft family—has chosen LynxOS® to power the next generation Airbus flight control systems.

In 1995, Aerospatiale embarked on a long-term project to develop the Airbus Air Traffic Services Unit (ATSU)—the computer that integrates data communications services among aircraft and traffic control centers under the current Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System, as well as the future Aeronautical Telecommunications Network.

To support this upgrade project, Aerospatiale made a strategic decision to move away from a proprietary, custom embedded operating system towards a commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) set of software solutions. This project marks the first time that a commercial RTOS will be used in a computer-controlled navigation system certified to DO-178B level C, and takes advantage of recent evolution in real-time operating system (RTOS) design. Aerospatiale evaluated dozens of real-time operating system suppliers over a year-long review process. According to Aerospatiale, LynxOS was chosen for a combination of price, performance, reliability and portability. LynxOS-powered ATSUs are already being tested on Airbus non-commercial aircraft. The system is slated to be certified during Q3 98 and subsequently deployed on all new Airbus aircraft and retrofitted on older planes.

"Commercial off-the-shelf systems save time and money by shortening product development cycles and reducing time to market," said Lynx vice president of marketing. "We've worked hard to make LynxOS the premier COTS real-time operating system for mission-critical applications. Aerospatiale's choice of LynxOS to power the Airbus CNS-ATM system (Communication Navigation Surveillance—Air Traffic Management) validates our efforts and further strengthens our position in worldwide military and aerospace markets."

LynxOS for military and aerospace

LynxOS offers a variety of features and capabilities that help meet demanding military and aerospace standards for performance and reliability, including:

• Patented interrupt handling and open systems ROM technologies—the LynxOS kernel threading mechanism ensures timely real-time event response even under heavy loading; Lynx open system ROM technology streamlines the process of deploying COTS applications in diskless embedded systems.
• Integrated MMU support—provides a reliable processing environment for applications and systems processes, protecting the operating system and user code and data from corruption by errant programs.
• UNIX®/POSIX®-compliant programming interfaces—only LynxOS offers open systems standards support coupled with hard real-time response for embedded applications. The resultant portability and reusability help cut costs and bring military and aerospace products to market faster and more safely.

About Lynx Real-Time Systems

Lynx is a worldwide supplier of embedded software solutions including real-time operating systems, development tools, support and consulting. Its products shorten product development cycles and reduce costs for software engineers. By committing to POSIX, UNIX, Java and other industry standards, the company enables customers to leverage their investments in software development and education. No other real-time operating system matches the degree of LynxOS compliance to POSIX which defines the industry-standard API for UNIX and is the first standard API for real-time embedded applications. Founded in 1988 as a privately-held company, Lynx has offices in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, and worldwide headquarters in San José, California.

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