MontaVista Software to Productize Port as Hard Hat Linux

MONTREAL - Linux World, April 11, 2000 - Applied Data Systems (ADS), a leading developer of application-ready embedded systems, has launched a new commercially-available Linux - Intel StrongARM SA-1110 platform. ADS introduced the Linux / Intel StrongARM SA-1110 combination on its popular ADS Graphics Client single board computer systems, with driver capability to load Linux from PCMCIA ATA cards, on-board flash memory, for a flash file system, serial ports, and with the ability to create output on a variety of LCD displays.

The ARM port was developed by members of the SA-1100 workgroup of the Open Source Developers Community, and the kernel runs on many different ARM-based hardware platforms. The ADS Virtual Linux Development Team (VLDT) was responsible for the modifications and for the integration of Linux device drivers with ADS boards, and for continued initiatives for the testing of the platforms. The VLDT is also supplying the ARM port to MontaVista Software, who will productize it as Hard Hat Linux for ARM (Nasdaq: ARMHY).

The ADS Linux / Intel StrongARM SA-1110 systems provide users with the advantages of the open source cooperative and cost-effective environment, combined with Intel StrongARM's low-power board designs, which are becoming the preferred core components for the enormous growing markets for portable /wireless applications. The Linux / Intel StrongARM SA-1110 combination is positioned to proliferate in intelligent, easy-to-use, low-power and inexpensive wireless, handheld and consumer display markets. Applications for the Linux Graphics Client also include fleet management, process control and kiosk / retail uses. "Engineers in the wireless embedded world request the type of portability that the Linux / StrongARM SA-1110 combination will provide, " said Robert Olsen, president of Applied Data Systems.

"Linux software support is rapidly becoming an important asset for systems at all levels, including single board computers," said Tom Yemington, product marketing manager for Intel's Handheld Computing Division (Nasdaq: INTC). "The addition of Linux support to the Intel StrongARM SA-1110 processor on the Graphics Client platform is a positive move for both Applied Data Systems and Intel."

MontaVista Software will qualify and package the ADS ARM port of Linux into a Cross Development Kit (CDK) for the Graphics Client and other ARM-based embedded systems.

The CDK will be hosted on x86-based Linux workstations and will support cross compilation and debugging, and configuration of applications, device drivers, and the Linux kernel itself.

Jim Ready, embedded industry pioneer and MontaVista CEO, comments "The ADS platform targets the applications that define the 'post-PC' device. MontaVista's Hard Hat Linux and ADS' work with Intel's StrongARM hardware lay the foundation for the next generation of embedded and mobile applications."

Pricing and Availability

The Linux Graphics Client is available for order now, and starts in the low $300 per unit. For more information about embedded Linux on the ADS Graphics Client, visit the ADS website at http://www.applieddata.net, or http://www.flatpanels.com or call 301-490-4007.

Hard Hat Linux for ARM / StrongARM is available from MontaVista Software as part of MontaVista's software and services subscription packages. For additional information, contact MontaVista at 408-328-9200 or visit the MontaVista web site at http://www.mvista.com.

ADS and MontaVista are also providing support for end-users building graphical applications on the SA-1110 platform using Microwindows. The Microwindows Project, at http://www.microwindows.org, is the leading graphical run-time environment for embedded Linux systems, and implements a small footprint graphical environment on the SA-1110 platform, offering full support for touch screen input and output on 640x480 color LCD displays. Microwindows offers an easy migration path for porting Windows CE applications to the StrongARM platform through the use of its CE-compatible applications programming interface.

Background

About Applied Data Systems

About MontaVista Software

For more information on MontaVista Software Inc., call 408-328-9200 or visit http://www.mvista.com.

ARM and StrongARM are trademarks of Advanced RISC Machines, Ltd. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Hard Hat is a trademark of MontaVista Software Inc. All other names mentioned are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective companies.

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