Intel has introduced a comprehensive suite of tools for developers of software targeting embedded and mobile devices based on Intel processors and running Linux. Intel System Studio includes system and application debuggers, a memory and thread error checker, and optimization tools for maximizing performance and power efficiency.

The company says its integration of multiple development tools into a single comprehensive package will help developers “quickly and efficiently deliver reliable systems” based on Intel architecture processors and SoCs (system-on-chip processors). The suite targets Intel Atom, Core, and Xeon processors.

System Studio includes debuggers, analyzers, compilers, & libraries
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System Studio includes the following components, as described by Intel:

• Intel VTune Amplifier for Systems — advanced CPU and system-on-chip (SoC) analysis for power and performance profiling and tuning
• Intel JTAG Debugger — system debugger for SoCs, low overhead event tracing, logging, source level debug of UEFI firmware, bootloader, OS kernel, and drivers
• GDB debugger — software debugger for fast application level defect analysis for increased system stability, application level instruction trace, and data race detection
• Intel Inspector for Systems — dynamic and static analyzer identifies difficult to find memory and threading errors
• Intel C++ Compiler — C/C++ compiler including the Intel Cilk Plus parallel model for optimized performance. Binary and source compatible with GCC compilers and cross-compilers.
• Intel Integrated Performance Primitives — extensive library of high-performance software building blocks for signal, data, and multimedia processing
• Intel Math Kernel Library — highly optimized linear algebra, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) , vector math, and statistics functions

“Wind River is excited about the release of Intel System Studio, which includes support for the Wind River Linux operating system,” stated Wind River VP Dinyar Dastoor. “Providing deep insights into Intel Architecture, these tools help embedded and system developers rapidly implement Wind River Linux solutions that are reliable, responsive and power efficient.”

Adds Ashley Driver, a solutions and application architect at Altech Multimedia, “Intel Inspector [part of Intel System Studio] has a very intuitive user interface that helped me find both memory errors like leaks and data access errors along with threading errors like data races in one package.”

Intel also recently introduced the “Intel Firmware Support Package,” which provides low-level Intel CPU, Intel chipset and memory firmware initialization capabilities using a standardized interface. “Previous firmware solutions for embedded devices were highly customized and offered no backward compatibility, creating an inability to scale products to meet rapid growth,” says Intel. The package can be integrated into “any bootloader of the developer’s choice,” including Linux, coreboot, VxWorks, BIOS, RTOSes, and open source firmware.

The Intel System Studio suite is priced at $3500 for a single user license, and $5300 for one floating developer seat license. The Intel Firmware Support Package and the Intel Intelligent Systems Framework are available free of charge.

A free Intel webinar on March 19 will introduce Intel System Studio to embedded software developers. Topics covered will include: ways to achieve a well-designed development setup; how to debug your code across the full range of Intel Intelligent Systems Framework use cases; how to tune your application and system for optimal performance; software-based techniques to make sure your system is making efficient use of power resources. Webinar registration is available here.

For more specifics on Intel System Studio, visit Intel’s website here.

For some additional perspective, read William Wong’s coverage at Electronic Design and Bernard Cole’s article at Embedded.com.