SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 13, 2003—LynuxWorks™ today announced that CF InFlight has chosen LynxOS® as the new operating system for its Emmy award-winning Skycam®. The company chose LynxOS over its current embedded Linux® operating system to leverage LynxOS’ real-time capabilities—achieving smoother camera movement—while allowing the existing Linux application code to run with minimal changes. Skycam, with its LynxOS-operated transport system, is scheduled to provide “over the field” camera views at Super Bowl XXXVII on Sunday, January 26, 2003 from the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA.
The Skycam is a broadcast-quality robotic camera suspended from a cable-driven computerized transport system, which enables it to fly anywhere in a defined three-dimensional space. Skycam has been used for sporting events such as the Summer Olympic Games, U.S. Open Tennis Tournament, the NCAA’s Final Four, ESPN’s Sunday Night Football and the Pro Bowl. Because LynxOS has the same programming interfaces (e.g., system calls) as Linux, CF InFlight was able to rapidly port the application to LynxOS and have the Skycam up and running within 5 days.
“Our motion control system is quite complex and requires consistent and deterministic response to achieve stable camera movement at up to 30 miles per hour,” said Roland Thompson, president, CF InFlight. “We used an embedded Linux operating system because we wanted the power and performance of Linux. But, since Linux does not provide real-time determinism, we couldn’t achieve the stable camera operations we required. With LynxOS, we have the same benefits of Linux, such as an open programming environment, but also enjoy real-time determinism.”
“CF InFlight’s ability to quickly move their Linux application to LynxOS clearly demonstrates the value of the LynuxWorks philosophy, which places high value on adherence to industry standards and a clear migration path,” said Bob Morris, vice president of sales and marketing for LynuxWorks. “No other RTOS comes close to LynxOS’ degree of interoperability with Linux or POSIX conformance.”
About CF InFlight, Ltd.
CF InFlight is a company that prides itself on maintaining the highest regard for moral and ethical standards while committing itself to the improvement and performance of the Emmy Award-winning Skycam®. Roland Thompson, president of CF InFlight, with over 15 years experience as an entrepreneur and software engineer, has progressed the Skycam technology along with the help of Skycam inventor Garrett Brown, an internationally renowned Oscar and Emmy award-winning cinematographer and a team of design, software and engineering professionals. CF InFlight’s headquarters are located in Malvern, PA. with a training and development center in Hatboro, PA. For more information, please visit http://www.cfinflight.com, contact sales at (800) 524-0226, x226, email: info@cfinflight.com, or fax (610) 722-9161.
About LynuxWorks
LynuxWorks is a world leader in the embedded software market, providing operating systems, software development products and consulting services for the world’s most successful communications, aerospace/defense, and consumer products companies. Established in 1988, the company is a founding member of the real-time operating systems (RTOS) industry, and a leading participant in the Embedded Linux Consortium (ELC). LynuxWorks’ headquarters are located in San Jose, California. The company’s products include the open-source BlueCat® Linux and the scalable, Linux-compatible LynxOS real-time operating system. World-class companies use LynuxWorks’ products, including: 3Com, Alcatel, Boeing, Ericsson, Hewlett Packard, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Lockheed Martin, Lucent Technologies, Marconi, Mitsubishi, Motorola, Raytheon, Rockwell Collins, TRW and Xerox.
LynuxWorks is a trademark and LynxOS is a registered trademark of LynuxWorks, Inc. Other brand or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective holders. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
For more information contact:
Linda Nixon, LynuxWorks Inc. 408-979-4399, lnixon@lnwx.com
Roland Thompson, President, CF InFlight 800-524-0226, rthompson@cfinflight.com
Heather Jones, Benjamin | Weber Shandwick, 408-559-6090, hjones@webershandwick.com
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Link: www.lynuxworks.com
