VLX for Mobile Handsets
Overview
With new mobile devices requiring the rich functionality of an open operating system (OS) such as Linux, developers are faced with the challenges of quickly adding an open OS without adding to the hardware cost, reusing existing software stack where possible, and also securing the device from potential mobile malware.
VirtualLogix™ VLX for Mobile Handsets speeds the inclusion of open operating systems such as Linux into low-cost, high volume feature phones by running the open OS together with the existing mobile phone stack simultaneously on a single processor core, without requiring a separate applications processor. VLX also increases security and fault tolerance for feature and smartphones by isolating security and device management functions from potential corruptions that may be present in the open operating system.
The real-time virtualization technology in VLX for Mobile Handsets helps manufacturers develop a consistent software platform, to enable the same secure and reliable architecture to be applied to a wide range of mobile phones from mid-range feature phones to smart phones, thus dramatically reducing development and deployment costs.
Example Use Cases
Introduce Linux into Feature Phones at Low Cost
- Deliver rich functionality by using Linux
- Eliminate the cost of an additional application processor
- Reuse existing proven modem stack and RTOS
- Isolate proprietary IP from open source GPL requirements
- Typically applied to a feature phone architecture using the baseband processor for both the wireless stack and application stack
Deliver More Secure, Personalized Mobile Handsets
- Isolate and protect core phone services from mobile malware through OS independent firewall
- Secure DRM protected content and financial transactions controlled by SIM card and more…
- Maintain continuity of service or voice in case of failure in the open OS
- Multiple application stacks (i.e. operator, OEM, user) enable easy device personalization
- Typically applied to a smartphone architecture with a dedicated application processor
Add Rich Functionalities with Improved Fault Tolerance
- Management agents run in trusted container, isolated from application OS
- OS Monitoring and automatic restart allows the system to be repaired or restored independently of the rich OS
- Fault tolerant architecture provides revenue protection by maintaining core phone services in the event of a failure of the open OS
- Control phone behavior independently of native software and user download applications
- Minimize the risk of releasing products to the market without complete validation of complex multimedia OS and applications
- Typically applied to a feature phone arhitecture containing a single ARM core and hardware accelerators
VirtualLogix Actively Participates in Industry Organizations