Mentor Graphics Enables Internet of Things Embedded Device Connectivity

Mentor Graphics Corporation announced its next release of the Mentor Embedded Nucleus real-time operating system (RTOS) targeting applications for connected embedded devices. The Nucleus RTOS process model for ARM Cortex-M-based cores is expanded to provide application Dynamic Linking and Loading (DLL) capabilities for devices. Internet of Things (IoT) endpoints based on Cortex-M cores with the Nucleus RTOS and process model technology can now be reconfigured, updated, and/or provisioned using cloud-based services to utilize remote software services. This allows embedded developers to dynamically modify application software during system operation, keeping the target up to date, even in mission-critical environments. The Nucleus RTOS solution provides the IoT middleware, scalable footprint, power management, and security required for IoT connected devices.

The lightweight Nucleus process model leverages the memory protection unit (MPU) of Cortex-M0+, Cortex-M3, and Cortex-M4 cores to create protected regions in memory that can be used for dynamic application loading and unloading at system startup or afterward during run time. This release also includes Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) with DTLS security support, and support for Texas Instruments (TI) WiLink 8 module solution for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless combo connectivity.

Nucleus Process Model: Dynamic Linking and Loading for IoT devices
The growth of smart IoT devices with feature-rich applications and the need to interact with cloud-based services are placing new requirements on embedded IoT software developers. Wearables, portable medical devices, energy management systems, and other smart connected devices are often based on resource-limited systems using Cortex-M cores. IoT systems can have limited memory, so a single monolithic application cannot always be loaded at startup with all the software required for the breadth of services. IoT systems that have limited memory resources must run applications based on current need, and with the ability to free memory resources when the application is no longer required. Large applications must be parsed into smaller algorithms and loaded sequentially as modules, only when needed to conserve memory resources. The management of software on IoT devices requires the ability to upgrade applications and/or load new modules using cloud- based services. The Nucleus RTOS makes use of the memory protection unit on Cortex-M cores to provide protected regions that isolate software modules for dynamic linking and loading. With the Nucleus RTOS Process Model, software can be loaded from system memory as needed, or from cloud-based services to upgrade a system, provision the device, or provide fee-based software.

Nucleus RTOS Connectivity: TI WiLink 8 Module Support
Today's complex IoT devices can combine multiple wireless connections, driving the need for consolidated wireless solutions that support multiple protocols on a single device. Bringing wireless connectivity to IoT devices, the Nucleus RTOS supports the TI WiLink 8 combo connectivity solution featuring 2.4 and 5GHz dual-band throughput, Wi-Fi 802.11 capabilities, and dual-mode Bluetooth and Bluetooth low energy technology. The low power features of the WiLink 8 modules are supported with Nucleus RTOS Power Management Framework to better optimize power consumption and extend battery life. This pre-integrated solution enables IoT developers to bring to market connected devices with the security protocols that support multiple wireless modes in a single chip for medical, industrial and other IoT products.

Nucleus IoT Middleware: Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP)
IoT node devices require low-power solutions to interface with cloud-based services supporting IP protocols. The Nucleus RTOS makes use of CoAP to bridge IoT nodes that are power constrained or have limited system resources, yet require cloud access. Utilizing IP standards, the Nucleus RTOS with CoAP provides a RESTful-based framework with DTLS for security and UDP over IP for transport, making it more efficient to cloud services.

Keywords: Embedded Devices, Internet of Things (IoT), Process Model Technology, Dynamic Linking and Loading (DLL), Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP), ARC Advisory Group.