NEWS

Wind River Advances Open Source Leadership with Introduction of Yocto Project–Based Embedded Linux Platform

LINUXCON, SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Aug. 29, 2012 — Wind River®, a world leader in embedded and mobile software, has introduced the latest version of Wind River Linux, which was developed from the Yocto Project™ open source development infrastructure and has achieved Yocto Project Compatible registration.

Built on a Yocto Project-based infrastructure, Wind River Linux helps developers rapidly implement highly interoperable, platform-independent Linux projects. Wind River Linux works with Yocto Project Compatible board support packages (BSP) and software or middleware.

In addition to Yocto Project compatibility, Wind River Linux delivers a commercial-grade Linux platform and easy out-of-the box user experience with a rich set of capabilities based on the latest open source technologies, fully integrated development tools, worldwide support and maintenance, and expert professional services. Wind River Linux supports an array of hardware including ARM, Intel®, MIPS and Power architectures. Wind River Linux is available in a range of package and price options to fit diverse customer needs.

Hosted by the Linux Foundation, the Yocto Project is an open source collaboration project providing templates, tools and methods to help developers create embedded Linux-based systems, regardless of the hardware architecture. By providing a common build system and collaboratively developed technologies, the Yocto Project gives developers a valuable starting point and helps them avoid duplicated efforts and unnecessary maintenance. Wind River is a Yocto Project founding member and Gold member of the advisory board, and actively holds key maintainer and technical lead positions.

Broad participation and support of the Yocto Project environment across the ecosystem is helping developers achieve greater cross-platform compatibility and component interoperability. Compatibility with the Yocto Project can reduce fragmentation by fostering collaborative development using a common set of tools and practices. Compatibility also ensures these tools and methodologies are architecturally independent for increased portability of software and middleware and decreased costs of their extensibility and maintenance.

“By using a common build system developed by one of the largest open source projects, developers can avoid starting from scratch and focus on developing differentiated Linux devices that maximize return on investment,” said Chris Buerger, senior director of open platform products at Wind River. “Wind River Linux delivers the latest open source innovations, as well as compatibility and interoperability possible from the Yocto Project, combined with the confidence that comes with a leading commercial-grade embedded Linux product and global support and long-term maintenance.”

“Yocto Project champions like Wind River are helping advance the technical evolution of Linux,” said Amanda McPherson, vice president of marketing and developer services for the Linux Foundation. “The Yocto Project is designed to provide a common set of build tools for embedded Linux development that reduce costs and fragmentation. The response across the embedded industry has been tremendous with major software and hardware players stepping up to participate.”

Wind River was also recently named the embedded Linux market leader for its Wind River Linux platform and related solutions for the fourth consecutive year by VDC Research.1 The latest version of Wind River Linux is available now, and more information is available at http://www.windriver.com/products/linux/.

About Wind River
Wind River, a wholly owned subsidiary of Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC), is a world leader in embedded and mobile software. Wind River has been pioneering computing inside embedded devices since 1981, and its technology is found in more than 1 billion products. Wind River is headquartered in Alameda, Calif., with offices in more than 20 countries. To learn more, visit Wind River at www.windriver.com or on Facebook.

Wind River is a trademark or registered trademark of Wind River Systems, Inc. and its affiliates. Other names may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact Information
Jessica Miller
Global Corporate Communications

NEWS

Wind River's VxWorks Powers Mars Science Laboratory Rover, Curiosity

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory uses Wind River's proven technology for its most advanced planetary rover, Curiosity.
  • Wind River’s VxWorks enables precise, complex landing of Curiosity on Mars and will enable the rover to perform mission-critical tasks.
  • For more than two decades, Wind River has successfully powered countless space-exploration products globally.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — August 6, 2012 — Wind River®, a world leader in embedded and mobile software, congratulates NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on the successful landing of the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity, powered by Wind River technology. Curiosity, which landed on Mars at approximately 10:31 p.m. PDT, August 5, 2012, is the most complex robotic interplanetary probe ever designed. It is running on Wind River's industry-leading real-time operating system (RTOS), VxWorks®.

Curiosity will investigate whether Mars has ever offered environmental conditions favorable for microbial life, and assess Mars’ habitability for future human exploration. VxWorks plays a central role in this historic operation by providing the core operating system for the spacecraft control system–from the second the rocket left Earth on November 26, 2011, until completion of the mission.

Curiosity relied on VxWorks for the complex landing sequence called EDL (entry, descent and landing), which is being described as “seven minutes of terror” due to the absolute precision required for the spacecraft to survive the landing. While on Mars, Curiosity will depend on VxWorks to perform mission-critical tasks, such as ground operations control, data collection, and Mars-to-Earth communication relay.

Wind River has an extensive heritage of achievements in space working with NASA JPL, dating back to 1994, when VxWorks launched into space on the Clementine Moon probe. This was followed by the Mars Pathfinder Mission, which made VxWorks the first commercial operating system to go to Mars. Wind River technology also operates within the Mars Exploration Rovers and Stardust spacecraft, among others.

"Wind River congratulates NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory on the successful landing of Curiosity on Mars, a groundbreaking milestone for space exploration worldwide,” said Ken Klein, president, Wind River. “For more than two decades, Wind River’s reliable and secure software has served as a key foundational technology for aerospace organizations globally, and we are extremely proud to continue our legacy as a technology provider for NASA JPL’s space programs.”

Since its inception in 1981, Wind River has been a trusted advisor in the development of aerospace and defense products. The company's technology has successfully enabled countless products in the reaches of our universe, including CIRA’s FTB-1 reusable unmanned spacecraft, Iridium Communications’ in-orbit satellite constellation, and the European Space Agency's PROBA satellite, among others.

To learn more about Mars Science Laboratory and Curiosity, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html.

For additional information on the role of Wind River technology in Curiosity, including a case study and video, visit www.windriver.com/announces/curiosity/.

To learn more about Wind River’s aerospace solutions, visit www.windriver.com/solutions/aerospace-defense/.

About Wind River
Wind River, a wholly owned subsidiary of Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC), is a world leader in embedded and mobile software. Wind River has been pioneering computing inside embedded devices since 1981, and its technology is found in more than 1 billion products. Wind River is headquartered in Alameda, Calif., with offices in more than 20 countries. To learn more, visit Wind River at www.windriver.com or on Facebook.

Wind River is a trademark or registered trademark of Wind River Systems, Inc. and its affiliates. Other names may be the trademarks of their respective owners

Contact Information
Jessica Miller
Global Corporate Communications