Press Release

Codetelligence Announces First Cross-Platform SDIO Software Stack for Embedded Systems

Standards Based SDIO connectivity for Linux and QNX Systems

Jan. 6, 2005 Las Vegas NV. Codetelligence announces software support for SDIO devices for embedded systems developers with the Embedded SDIO Developers Kit. The kit gives embedded programmers standards based access to SD Memory and SDIO card peripherals. The system software components are based on Codetelligence’s proprietary Embedded SDIO stack architecture. These components provide a hardware abstraction and card function API layer to allow OEM, IHV or ISV supplied software to communicate and control cards across an SD/SDIO bus. Codetelligence provides the necessary adaptation layers to allow the Embedded SDIO stack to operate under a variety of embedded operating systems. This platform solution allows a device manufacturer to rapidly include SD/SDIO support in their product with minimal cost and low risk.

Demand for thinner and lighter devices has pushed the need for smaller I/O expansion technologies. Secure Digital Memory standards address the need for high density, small form-factor and low power memory cards. Secure Digital I/O (SDIO), introduced in the later part of 2001, is an evolutionary offshoot of Secure Digital Memory technology supporting I/O cards in the same form factor as SD memory cards.

Stack Features:

• OS and Platform Hardware Independent.

· All MMC/SD/SDIO bus modes (1bit, 4bit, SPI). Host controllers dynamically support optimal mode, including legacy SPI-only peripherals support.

• Unlimited number of host controllers/slots per system with different capabilities per slot.
• Power management architecture.
• SDIO 1.10, SD 1.01, MMC 3.1 Compatible.
• Function drivers include: SD/MMC Memory Card, Bluetooth Type-A, SDIO-GPS 
• Multi-function and Combo Card support.
• Plug and Play Function Driver Architecture.

Stack Architecture

The SDIO Embedded Stack architecture is divided into three portions: SD/SDIO Core, Host Controller Drivers and Card Function Drivers.

• The SD/SDIO core is the central software component that exports a set of interfaces for host controller and function drivers. The core is also referred to as the "bus driver". The bus driver is responsible for enumerating devices detected on a bus, managing resources on that bus and loading or notifying other drivers of the presence of devices.
• Host controller drivers are software modules that abstract the SD/SDIO slot hardware from the SDIO core and function drivers. The host controller driver is responsible for initializing slot hardware, detecting card insertion/removal and carrying out configuration and bus transaction requests from it's upper interface. Host controller drivers abstract the hardware controller design and capabilities through the host controller interface. Host controllers can support the full SDIO host specification or support limited subsets such as 1-bit only or SPI-only operation.
• Card function drivers support the individual peripherals such as memory cards, GPS devices, and Bluetooth cards. They provide applications and other software modules (largely OS-specific) hardware independent access to I/O or memory functions on SD/SDIO cards. Card function drivers utilize the SD/SDIO core's Card Function Interface API's to carry out SD/SDIO bus configuration and data transactions.

(editors note: stack architecture diagram available at: http://www.codetelligence.com/images/EMSDIOstack.JPG)

Embedded Operating Systems Support

The Embedded SDIO Stack is designed from the ground up to support multiple embedded operating systems. The initial release supports Linux version 2.6.9 and QNX Neutrino version 6.2. Ports to additional embedded operating systems are planned. “Our goal is to extend SDIO support and deployment to a broad range of devices and operating systems,” said Paul Lever, President Codetelligence, Inc. “The small form factor, high performance and low power operation of SDIO devices is ideal for the new generation of mobile devices”

Codetelligence Embedded SDIO Development Kits are available immediately. For pricing and information contact sales@codetelligence.com

About Codetelligence, Inc.: www.codetelligence.com

Codetelligence is a privately held company that delivers innovative tools and consultation for the Embedded Programming industry. Combining many years of code generation tool experience and internally developed technologies, Codetelligence supplies off-the-shelf and semi-custom development tools for domain specific applications.

Editor's note: For additional company background visit: http://www.codetelligence.com/company.htm

or contact Paul Lever at 206-527-4344 or e-mail: paull@codetelligence.com