Real-Time Base Technology Accepted in Mainline Linux Kernel

     Real-Time Base Technology Accepted in Mainline Linux Kernel

  TimeSys Contributes to Mainline Linux Kernel Support for Real-Time
 Technology; Announces Real-Time Extensions Now Standard in LinuxLink
                             Subscription

    PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 12, 2006--Basic support for
real-time Linux features is now available in the 2.6.18 kernel and
will be further extended in future kernel versions. Core technologies
related to real-time performance accepted for inclusion into the
mainline Linux kernel source have resulted from the leadership of open
source contributors such as Red Hat's Ingo Molnar and TimeSys Senior
Open Source Developer Thomas Gleixner. These key technologies
submitted by developers at companies such as TimeSys, Red Hat and
others are being permanently merged by Linus Torvalds into the
mainline Linux kernel. This marks a significant shift from the
traditional approach of having individual kernel developers maintain
different real-time patch sets outside of the mainline tree. "I am
pleased that we can simplify development for real-time embedded
devices by bringing this technology into the mainline kernel," said
Gleixner. Additional real-time features, currently available as kernel
patches, will continue to be merged into subsequent kernels,
increasing the open source availability of core real-time capabilities
and associated infrastructure in the Linux kernel.

    In a related announcement, the LinuxLink by TimeSys developer
service has been expanded to provide all LinuxLink subscribers with
access to these real-time patches. A LinuxLink subscription is a
web-based service that provides tools, open source code, detailed
technical reference information, and other embedded development
resources for helping software engineers to customize Linux for their
devices. LinuxLink subscribers will realize the value of continuous
updates as real-time enhancements continue to be merged into the
mainline kernel, with support for more features and architectures. In
addition to the latest technology, subscribers have access to expert
resources for help and advice on integrating and tuning real-time
capabilities for their unique hardware platforms.

    "The inclusion of real-time capabilities in the kernel validates
the work of TimeSys in this space," said Larry Weidman, CEO of
TimeSys. "Our customers that require real-time capabilities can be
confident that they are on a path that has a clear future, not only
with TimeSys, but with the broader Linux community. TimeSys continues
to be a leader in real-time who contributes back to the open source
community and, by making the real-time extensions available to all
LinuxLink customers, we hope to make a supported real-time solution
affordable to a wider audience."

    Real-Time performance enhancements available in the 2.6.18 kernel
include priority inheritance support to prevent priority inversions,
and extensions to the generic interrupt handling layer across all
architectures, including established embedded architectures such as
ARM. These features are key infrastructure components that enable
predictable and consistent performance in Linux, as required for
real-time applications. Customers subscribed to LinuxLink have a
solution that is based directly on the same real-time technology in
the 2.6.18 kernel release, the real-time preemption patch, and
additional real-time enhancements that are in the process of being
merged into the mainline Linux kernel. The LinuxLink developer service
is aligned with the forward-moving direction of the open source Linux
community, rather than locking developers into propriety technology
provided by a particular vendor who is challenged to provide useful
support and maintenance.

    About TimeSys Corporation

    TimeSys is the leading developer service provider for the embedded
Linux market, delivering LinuxLink subscriptions that empower
developers to rapidly and efficiently create their own
commercial-grade custom Linux platform. The continuously updated
cross-compiled components, information and systems offered through
LinuxLink subscriptions are aggregated from the open source community,
semiconductor manufacturers and TimeSys and hosted in the TimeSys
Network. For more information, visit www.timesys.com.

    Information:

    For further information about LinuxLink by Timesys, go to
http://www.timesys.com/products/index.htm

    CONTACT: TimeSys
             Laurie Sims, +1-412-325-6383
             laurie.sims@timesys.com