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Mentor, a Siemens business, today introduced the Mentor® Embedded IoT Framework (MEIF) the industry’s first comprehensive, cloud vendor-agnostic embedded software framework designed to help developers create, secure and manage “cloud-ready” smart devices for Industrie 4.0 applications.
Featuring well-defined interfaces engineered to complement and extend cloud vendor embedded software development kit (SDK) APIs, MEIF streamlines the integration of Industrie 4.0 networks with virtually all leading cloud service backends, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Eclipse IoT, Microsoft Azure, and Siemens® MindSphere™. MEIF is OS-agnostic, supports any processor architecture, including Arm and x86, and scales from resource-constrained end-nodes up to IoT gateways and edge/fog devices powered by the highest-performing multicore processors. Through this framework approach, MEIF provides a complete solution that reduces the cost and risk faced by IoT device manufacturers related to device porting, scaling, code re-use, and backend integration.
“The Mentor Embedded IoT Framework is a unique, open framework for industrial customers who require a scalable and portable device-to-cloud connectivity solution for multi-cloud environments,” stated Dick Slansky, senior analyst, PLM and Engineering Design tools, ARC Advisory Group. “Mentor’s Framework provides its customers with a secure, seamless, and highly robust embedded development environment that complements and extends the capabilities provided by the leading cloud vendors, and supports IoT applications from smart sensors to powerful gateways.”
According to research from Penton Publishing, security and cost concerns are the primary factors inhibiting IoT adoption among enterprises worldwide. MEIF tackles both of these challenges head-on with advanced technologies designed to drive down IoT implementation costs while delivering state-of-the-art security measures.
“For years, Mentor has invested in runtime platform and tools technologies to support the specific requirements of industrial and medical device manufacturers, such as safety certification, support for key industrial protocols, and enabling world-class security. With our new Mentor Embedded IoT Framework, we continue to extend our industrial market offerings by addressing a host of common challenges associated with security, portability, code re-use and multi-cloud requirements,” stated Scot Morrison, general manager, platforms business unit, Mentor Embedded Systems Division. “Our breadth and expertise in embedded software technologies has led to the launch of our secure IoT Framework, which includes high-value services to customers who need to develop an Industrie 4.0 solution on time with minimal risk.”
Advanced insights improve reliability and uptime
MEIF supports a breadth of services that enable backend communications and applications, including: device authentication and provisioning; configuration and control; monitoring and diagnostics; and software updates and maintenance. The framework also features advanced capabilities that help manufacturers manage the reliability, uptime, and overall quality of Industrie 4.0 smart devices, including OS health monitoring and diagnostics, available memory and CPU utilization reporting, system profiling and support for alarms and events. MEIF is designed to be extensible, allowing manufacturers to integrate and enable their own diagnostics, as well. Remote profiling of connected devices is achieved using familiar Mentor Embedded tools.
Security from the bottom up
MEIF incorporates the Mentor Embedded runtime platforms, which support security from device power-on with a hardware-based root of trust and a complete software chain of trust. MEIF extends this security to the cloud, enabling secure device onboarding and bulk data upload, secure device software updates and device management. Additionally, the framework includes a GUI-based utility to sign, encrypt, and package artifacts which are then delivered to the devices where they can be securely validated and authenticated before being applied to the embedded device.
“The Mentor Embedded IoT Framework simplifies the integration of all classes of edge devices and assets with MindSphere to help our customers uncover transformational insights across their entire businesses,” said Andreas Geiss, vice president and CTO of MindSphere, Siemens AG. “When combined with the open, cloud-based MindSphere operating system, the Mentor Framework lets businesses seamlessly connect products, plants, systems, and machines, improving efficiency by harnessing the huge volumes of data generated for IoT applications.”
Product Availability
The MEIF base version for the Mentor Embedded Nucleus RTOS or Mentor Embedded Linux for a project-based perpetual license with annual maintenance is offered at $90K (USD). Other configurations are available, including a custom secure boot loaders and integration services. MEIF will be featured at Embedded World 2018 in Nuremberg, Germany (Feb. 27 March 1) in Hall 4, Booth #4-643.
About Mentor Graphics
Mentor Graphics Corporation (mentor.com), a Siemens business, is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services, and award-winning support for the world’s most successful electronic, semiconductor, and systems companies. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777.
Mentor Graphics, Mentor and Nucleus are registered trademarks and Sourcery is a trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owner.
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