Germany’s Congatet, a leading provider of embedded and edge computing technologies, announced the inclusion of virtualization technology Hypervisor in all of its new x86 computer modules. The Hypervisor is an easy add-on for x86-based Congate-based computer modules (COM). The Hypervisor is now integrated into the firmware and is standard on all x86 computer modules, lowering the entry barrier to system integration. By simplifying real-time virtualization technology, Congate is committed to making system integration easier, achieving cost savings, reducing the number of systems, and reducing size, weight, and power (SWaP).

Andreas Bergbauer, Manager of Solutions Management at Congatet, said: “By integrating virtualization technology Hypervisors, system integration will be made easier. Being able to run multiple operating systems at the same time, including real-time operating systems, and ensuring they all operate at maximum efficiency will be a significant advantage for our customers.” He goes on to explain, “Our modules offer more application-ready options than any competing solution, allowing Oems to reduce non-repetitive engineering (NRE) costs and get to market faster. With our Hypervisor-on-Module, the benefits of system integration have never been easier to achieve.”

By optimizing the distribution of operating systems and applications on multi-core platforms, it is possible to provide more functionality in one system, thereby reducing the number of systems. In addition, the system resources of multi-core design are fully utilized, which can improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption. This enables Oems to build more functions more efficiently in a single integrated system. Cost savings were achieved by reducing the amount of hardware required, the number of cables, and reducing system size, weight, and power consumption (SWaP). This enables Oems to integrate both real-time and non-real-time critical applications on a single x86 computer module.

The Hypervisor enables developers to run multiple operating systems (OS) simultaneously on a single computer module. Each OS is assigned its own CPU core or set of CPU cores and I/O interface resources (such as PCIe, Ethernet, USB), which allows each OS to operate completely independently of each other. Enabling or suspending operations on any OS has no impact on other OS. With the Hypervisor, customers get a proven software and hardware suite that supports real-time applications.

As an optional add-on, the Hypervisor also supports nested virtualization with container and virtual machine (VM) technologies. Nested virtualization is a technique in which a virtual machine (VM) runs on top of another Hypervisor rather than on physical hardware, providing full freedom of virtualization. Work tasks can be run independently of each other to improve reliability, for example, containers (or other virtualization solutions) can be run within a VM. When functions are run independently between virtual machines, the collaboration between these virtual machines remains highly flexible.

Hypervisor Adapted operating systems:

Microsoft Windows 10 and 11
Debian
Ubuntu
VxWorks
Xenomai
TenAsys Intime distributed RTOS
QNX Neutrino
Real-Time Linux
Support for other operating systems can be added at any time on demand. Different operating systems can run in different execution modes at the same time, supporting any SMP and single CPU, 32-bit and 64-bit mixed modes.