Kontron is premiering its new cross-platform middleware, Kontron Embedded Application Programming Interface (Kontron EAPI), at the 2010 SPS/IPC/DRIVES fair in Nuremberg, Germany.
With this launch, Kontron has standardised the access and control of hardware resources for embedded applications.
Application developers will benefit from a library of API functions for getting information from all new Kontron embedded computing platforms.
Kontron EAPI is compliant to the PICMG’s EAPI but independent of form factors and operating systems and offers an extended feature set.
It helps to minimise OEMs’ development work and the time spent on initial designs up to cross-platform migrations, including validation and verification.
Additionally, Kontron’s EAPI enables remote monitoring and control functionalities, resulting in improved service, easier maintenance and a lower total cost of ownership.
The first products to be fitted with the new Kontron EAPI are the Kontron embedded motherboard KTQ45, the Kontron COM Express Computer-on-Module nanoETXexpress-SP and Kontron’s MICROSPACE MPCX line of industrial PCs.
All new platforms to be launched after this announcement will also be supported.
The software interfaces to the hardware can be linked to any higher programming language like C++ or Java.
This makes software and application development a much simpler job.
Moreover, developers can utilise the knowledge that has gone into creating the solution, even when migrating to another Kontron platform.
This ensures the best time to market as well as reducing the amount of work needed for validation and verification.
OEMs can also leverage the Kontron EAPI to offer value-adding services to their customers.
Some possible value-adds include, but are not limited to, remote hardware monitoring and enhanced servicing plans.
Kontron EAPI is compliant to the PICMG’s EAPI as defined in the latest COM Express specification, COM.0 Rev. 2, but extends its feature set by additional function calls such as basic system information (e.g. CPU, memory, HDD, battery), temperature and voltage monitoring, CPU performance and thermal control.
Moreover, Kontron EAPI includes more form factors – from AdvancedTCA to VPX – and all functions can be called remotely via internet.