MontaVista Software Delivers First Commercial Linux for ARM Cortex-A9 Processors

MVL6 distribution and tools provides the perfect starting point for Cortex-A9 System-on-Chip (SoC) designs

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - June 23, 2010 - MontaVista® Software, LLC, a leader in embedded Linux® commercialization, announced the availability of the first commercial Linux distribution and toolchain optimized for the ARM Cortex™-A9 processor. Based on the revolutionary MontaVista Linux 6 (MVL6) approach, it provides a market specific distribution (MSD) and toolchain designed specifically for the Cortex-A9 architecture and provides the perfect starting point for new product designs using the low power, high performance characteristics of the ARM Cortex-A9 processor.

Introduced last year, MVL6 delivers a new approach to embedded Linux development with market specific distributions, the MontaVista Integration Platform (MVIP), and toolchains developed for specific architectures. Optimized for the Cortex-A9 processor, the new MSD is designed to support the full breadth of functionality in the processor and provide the value-add features and quality MontaVista is known for. The MSD for the Cortex-A9 includes features such as graphics, audio, and multimedia support to help accelerate connected or mobile multi-media devices. It also provides basic networking features to accelerate any low power network device. With its support for the open source bitbake recipe format, the MVIP facilitates easy integration and customization from multiple sources. By using the MVIP, developers can easily customize the MSD to meet their exact requirements by pulling content from other source-based distributions.

The highest performance ARM processor, implementing the full richness of the widely supported ARMv7 architecture, the Cortex-A9 provides unprecedented levels of performance and power efficiency. It's often used in designs requiring high performance in low power or thermally constrained cost-sensitive devices such as set-top boxes, DTVs, printers and other feature-rich consumer and high-density enterprise applications in markets such as networking, automotive, industrial automation, mobile, and consumer connected.

Supporting Quotes:

"MontaVista Linux 6 support and optimization for the ARM Cortex-A9 enables a commercial quality Linux development platform with value-add features for a fast time-to-market," said Ian Drew, executive vice president of marketing at ARM. "The combination of MontaVista Linux 6 and the high-performance, low-power technology of the Cortex-A9 processor enables ARM Partners to quickly begin development of scalable, performance optimized next-generation Digital Media devices."

"The Cortex-A9 is the highest performance ARM processor available today. To rapidly deliver innovative products, our customers require a Linux development environment that provides the commercial quality tools and software they need to begin development," said Dan Cauchy, vice president of marketing, MontaVista. "MVL6 is the first commercial Linux available for the ARM Cortex-A9. Fully optimized for the Cortex-A9, our customers will enjoy the benefits of a distribution and toolchain developed specifically for their platform, ultimately providing a faster time to market and innovative products."

Key Points:

First commercial Linux distribution and toolchain for the ARM Cortex-A9 processor
Delivers commercial quality combined with value-added features such as graphics, audio, and multimedia support and basic networking features
ARM Cortex-A9 combines low power consumption with high performance
Target applications include set-top boxes, DTVs, printers and other feature-rich consumer and high-density enterprise applications.
Target markets include networking, automotive, industrial automation, mobile, and consumer connected.

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About MontaVista Software

MontaVista Software, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cavium Networks (NASDAQ: CAVM), is a leader in embedded Linux commercialization. For over 10 years, MontaVista has been helping embedded developers get the most out of open source by adding commercial quality, integration, hardware enablement, expert support, and the resources of the MontaVista development community. Because MontaVista customers enjoy faster time to market, more competitive device functionality, and lower total cost, more devices have been deployed with MontaVista than with any other Linux. To learn more, please visit www.mvista.com