IDE allows speedy configuration of complex systems

OBLAC automates the entire structure of an embedded hardware and software infrastructure, which is usually required for the development of an application. With the web‐based development environment even very complex hardware systems based on Synapticon SOMANET, including all sensors and actuators, can be quickly configured graphically.

The software required to use this hardware, such as interface drivers, communication stacks or motor control packets, is then generated individually by pressing a button. The user can immediately begin developing their application in C and C ++.

With OBLAC, the evaluation of embedded system solutions based on Synapticon technology can start after a few minutes. With the browser the user logs into OBLAC, creates a project and configures the desired system hardware. Then, the developer can generate the required system software Board Support Package (BSP) for all hardware nodes, at the push of a button.

After that, the user can create a bespoke programme or view and change a demo in the code editor. The developer can compile this software online in the Synapticon cloud and also directly in the simulator, including an analysis of real‐time behaviour.

For companies that do not yet trust Synapticon’s free cloud solution or cannot use it for privacy or compliance reasons, Synapticon offers an alternative: OBLAC can be installed for productive use in the respective corporate network or on dedicated servers on the Internet. The server images provided by Synapticon are easy to install in VMware or VirtualBox virtualisation solutions. For using the platform in this way, Synapticon provides a simple and affordable licensing model.

In addition to OBLAC 1.0, Synapticon will show its SOMANET modules, for the development of real‐time systems. SOMANET nodes can be configured on a series of processor, communication and interface modules, each with a software package. The SOMANET modules are suited for rapid prototyping and small batch series of sophisticated control solutions in robotics, automation, logistics, medical technology and e‐mobility.

Another offering that Synapticon will present is its SOMANET SoCs for cost-effective transferring of solutions (that have been developed based on SOMANET modules) on mass production. They also allow the development of customised applications for cyber‐physical systems and the IoT. The powerful SoCs integrate industrial communication, sensor data acquisition, motor and motion control in a single component.

“Cost and time pressures are phenomena that have an impact on the development of embedded systems. Conventional approaches hardly meet today’s requirements. The consequences are often stress, improper solutions and incomplete projects,” said Nikolai Ensslen, CEO and founder, Synapticon. “At Embedded World, we are introducing OBLAC 1.0, a web‐based platform that allows us to overcome many challenges that cause developers a headache today. Those who prefer using their familiar development environment such as Eclipse can easily export the entire project at their fingertips. OBLAC virtualises also the development process of embedded systems. In traditional embedded systems, the user first needs a development board, to set it up and install it, which takes sometimes more, sometimes less effort. But at the earliest after several days he can start evaluating the technology. We reduce this lead time to a fraction.

“In addition to hardware and software, we provide our customers with know‐how in a practical way,” concluded Ensslen. “We develop turnkey solutions and products for our customers. Of course, we use the SOMANET hardware and OBLAC software that we present at the Embedded World. We also like to work together with embedded development houses, which can achieve a significant competitive advantage. So, ambitious development suppliers attending this year’s Embedded World should visit us at booth 190 in hall 5.”