MISSION STATEMENT

Mapletech Productions LLC is dedicated to the promotion of 'Staccato^TM A Software Design Method for Embedded Systems' as a viable choice for design engineers. Through this website, and collaboration with partners, we intend to fully support all products and services based on this design method.

The problem...

Currently, the choices available for embedded system software architecture include: 1) modified desktop computer Operating Systems and 2) Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS). Both of these systems were designed to run multiple applications from a single processor. Inherent in these operating systems is unnecessary complexity and difficulty in performing validation and verification processes on the embedded application software (and Operating System). The proprietary nature and learning curve to use these systems effectively within an embedded system increase risk and cost to projects. One might consider how much of the total embedded software is dedicated to performing the single embedded application in a timely manner. Until now, a software design method specifically for embedded systems did not exist.

A solution...

'Staccato^TM A Software Design Method for Embedded Systems' provides an alternate choice for developers. It encompasses a total solution to ensure a successful project. From product specifications through requirements and coding principles, this method addresses those issues that traditionally have a negative impact on schedules, cost and reliability. This method applies the concepts of finite state machines to the design and coding of tasks within a properly-partitioned system. It includes a 'System Core' which allows task processes to be run efficiently by a single host processor 'executive', along with inter-task communication and timer services, replete with meaningful system calls. As a result, software maintenance and reliability are no longer a difficult issue.

************************ MISSION GOALS ***************************

• To actively encourage and promote the use of 'Staccato^TM A Software Design Method for Embedded Systems' across the embedded systems market, through training, licensed source-code, and collaboration with current industry leaders of software development tools.

• To provide ongoing feature enhancements and support for popular hardware platforms and communication protocols.

• To promote and encourage a 'community' of users/developers that can contribute to future development of these design methods.

• To work with academia to incorporate this design method into appropriate curricula, thereby ensuring an appropriately-skilled workforce.

• To remain focused on the benefits of this design method: specifically, cost saving in reduced development and verification time, improvement in software reliability and, ease of software maintenance.

• To provide quality and timely support to all customers using this method.