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Embedded Systems Developers Demand Access to RTOS Source Code, New Evans Data Survey Shows

Business Wire, Sept 11, 2007

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- Two-thirds of developers working with embedded systems say that having access to the source code for the Runtime Operating System they're targeting is either very important or extremely important, according to the most recent Evans Data Embedded System Development survey just released this week. Only 5% say it is not important. In addition, the survey found that over 40% are now targeting Embedded Linux, almost twice as many as target the next leading RTOS's.

"Developers working with embedded systems really need access to the RTOS source code in order to optimize their applications efficiently," said John Andrews, CEO of Evans Data. "This is one of the reasons that proprietary RTOS's created in-house for a specific system have long been popular, and now it's a primary motivating factor in the adoption of Embedded Linux."

The survey was conducted August 2007 and covers a broad range of development topics in relation to embedded systems, such as hardware and software platforms, SoCs, FPGAs, tools, languages, targeted devices, and multi-core processors. Other findings from this survey of over 500 embedded systems developers include:

* Tools are the most important consideration in the selection of a microprocessor for a project, more important than even cost and performance.

* Field Programmable Gate Arrays, FPGAs are now as popular as microcontrollers and microprocessors in embedded systems designs.

* Two-thirds of developers working on embedded systems for multi-core processors are targeting homogeneous cores.

About Evans Data Corporation

Evans Data Corporation provides regularly updated IT industry market intelligence based on in-depth surveys of the global developer population. Evans' syndicated research includes surveys focused on developers in a wide variety of subjects.