Arrow Electronics has announced the roll-out of its Embedded Platform Concept to customers in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, the UK and the Baltic countries. The concept allows developers to create application-optimised designs, reducing embedded system development time and cost. In addition to conventional reference designs and traditional starter kits, the programme allows designers to combine various hardware, software and service modules according to specific application needs. The programme is built around hardware modules that feature semiconductor, passive, electromechanical and interconnect technologies from the company's linecard; software and IP blocks developed by the company and selected partner organisations; and dedicated services including design-in and engineering support and access to documentation, seminars and workshops. Applications are built by combining a baseboard fitted with common standard interfaces and processor modules, DC/DC boards and other modules from display adapters and memory to extension boards for specific applications such as LED lighting, industrial Fieldbus connectivity and wireless functionality. There is support for identification and selection of analogue devices and programmable logic devices. There is also access to technical consultation, design and engineering support, performance tests, simulations, programming and prototype creation. Semiconductor suppliers engaged with the programme are Analog Devices, Atmel, Fairchild Semiconductor, Freescale Semiconductor, Intel, International Rectifier, National Semiconductor, NXP, ON Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments and Toshiba. Bourns, EPCOS, Panasonic, Samtec and Tyco are also involved.
