Publication No. PPC11A-HRM/1
Specifications 131
A.6 Software Support
Abaco ’s software strategy allows fully integrated system-level solutions to be
realized easily and with confidence. Off-the-shelf, layered software modules deliver
the most from low-level hardware features while exploiting the best high-level
debug and run-time functionality of popular COTS operating systems and
communications modules.
The software products described below build on those available for previous
generations of products, so providing a common interface for technology inserts.
The Abaco software strategy ensures that customers can develop market-leading
products using the O/S and development environment best suited to their long-term
program requirements.
A.6.1 Boot Firmware
The Boot firmware provides a foundation layer to interface between the raw board
hardware, with its highly programmable device set-ups and flexibility, and the
supported Operating Systems, which require a straight-forward booting and device
interface model.
The U-Boot Firmware includes comprehensive configuration facilities, interactive or
auto-boot sequencing from a range of device types, automatic PCI resource
allocation at initialization, PCI display/interrogation utilities and other valuable
features for system integrators.
Memory or other speed and feature enhancements are seamlessly absorbed by the
Boot firmware, giving the same look and feel to the O/S and the user application as
the Abaco hardware models advance. This allows the constant use of latest
technology in required areas without system impact. Where operating systems
define the use of alternate boot methods (e.g. VxWorks bootroms), the Boot firmware
technology is absorbed into such boot methodology.
A.6.2 Built In Test
BIT probes from the lowest level of discrete on-board hardware up to Line
Replaceable Unit level within a system, ensuring the highest degree of confidence in
system integrity. BIT includes comprehensive configuration facilities, allowing
automatic initialization tests to be defined for the desired mix of system functionality
and options. Further tests can be invoked interactively, giving BIT a valuable role as
a field service tool. Both object and source code products are available.