Phar Lap's Embeddable Kernel Leverages Win32 API

Rick Grehan

In my first Code Talk column, I wrote about Phar Lap's TNT DOS Extender. Now the company has released the TNT Embedded ToolSuite (ETS), which lets you build embedded applications in C or C++ atop a 32-bit protected-mode operating system zrunning on PC/AT hardware--hardware that most of us have already figured out.

The TNT Embedded ToolSuite's main message is leverage. With it, you don't have to learn a boatload of new API calls. ETS uses a subset of the Win32 API that includes interfaces associated with threads and thread management. Nor with ETS do you have to buy expensive or esoteric hardware to start developing your embedded application; a modest 386-class machine works fine as a prototyp ing target (you can customize as you pro gress). You can use 32-bit C/C++ compilers and tools with which you may already be familiar, such as Microsoft Visual C++ 2.0 or better (32-bit version), Borland C++ 4.0 or better, and Watcom C/C++ 10.0 or better.

ETS lets you begin working, literally, right out of the box. The system comes with a LapLink cable and a monitor boot disk. Compile and link your application on the host; hook the LapLink cable between host and target; boot the target from the monitor disk; and run the program launcher on the host. The launcher "talks" to the monitor on the target through the LapLink cable, downloads the kernel and your program, and you're rolling. Phar Lap even provides drivers for CodeView and Turbo Debugger; you can use either from the host station to work the kinks out of your "remote" embedded application.

In addition to the standard 386 PC/AT, ETS supports embedded development boards from Intel, Ampro, Real Time Devices, an d Forth-Systeme. The documentation also describes how to tailor the kernel to whatever target fits your requirements.

The real-time edition of ETS adds even more features: threads, a "deterministic" scheduler (you can "know" when a thread of particular priority will run--exceedingly important in a real-time app), an MS-DOS-compatible file system, a floating-point emulator, and even an embedded DLL loader.

This last feature lets you "bind" 32-bit DLLs in with your embedded executable. Phar Lap says this will provide a smooth mechanism for extending the ETS kernel in the future.

The Embedded ToolSuite (Phar Lap, Cambridge, MA, 617-661-1510; fax, 617-876-2972; E-mail, info@pharlap.com) on its own is $2995; the real-time edition is $4995. This may seem steep, but once you figure in all the compilers, debuggers, and test-station hardware you won't have to buy, plus the shallow learning curve, it starts looking quite attractive.

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Quick Configuration with ETS

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Phar Lap's ETS includes the Visual System Builder, which lets you quickly configure your embedded kernel.