| Embedded show includes pico-ITX PC giveaway |
Mar. 10, 2008
 TechInsights has begun releasing details of its Embedded Systems Conference (ESC), Silicon Valley, set for Apr. 14-18 in San Jose. Marking its twentieth anniversary this year, the event will be celebrated by giving a Via Artigo computer kit to every "all access" attendee, TechInsights says.
ESC Silicon Valley, billed as "the largest event for the design engineering community to learn, collaborate, and celebrate innovation," featured a keynote address by former Vice President Al Gore in 2007. This year, instead of having a single speaker, the keynote will be a twentieth anniversary "multimedia extravaganza" hosted by author/consultant Jack Ganssle. Special "embedded effects" are planned, as well as appearances by "a host of industry experts/authorities/inventors/creators," according to TechInsights.
Other highlights of the show -- which promises dozens of sessions, classes, and full-day tutorials -- include the Disruption Zone, and a pair of live teardowns. The former refers to a section of the exhibit floor dedicated to "software and hardware companies seeking to forever change the embedded systems industry through revolutionary technologies."
 As for the teardowns, this event will allow showgoers to see two devices being taken apart: Sony's XEL-1 organic light emitting diode (OLED) television, and Gibson's self-tuning Robot Guitar (right). Last year's ESC Silicon Valley featured teardowns dissecting a Toyota Prius, Segway Personal Transporter, and a Lego Mind Storm robot.
Class tracks will include:- Analog Design/Data Conversion
- Architectures and Low Power
- Digital Signal Processing and Multimedia
- Hardware Design and Programmable Logic
- Linux and Open Source Software
- Multi-Core
- Operating Systems
- Project Management
- Real-Time Design
- Security
- Software Design
- Tools
- Verification and Debugging
- Wired and Wireless Networking
This year's ESC features some 16 classes devoted to embedded Linux. Additionally, in nearby Mountain View, the Consumer Electronics Linux Forum will host its annual Embedded Linux Conference. Meanwhile, no content specific to embedded Windows operating systems has been confirmed for the show so far. However, an "industry address" by an as-yet-unnamed Microsoft official is scheduled for Apr. 16 at 3:45 pm.
In addition, Microsoft, listed as a "platinum sponsor for the event," has been known to be seeking content for ESC Silicon Valley since January, when it surprised the embedded community by canceling its 2008 Mobile and Developers Conference (MEDC), previously scheduled for May. Postings on the company's Embedded Windows and Windows Embedded blogs have promised a "strong Windows Embedded presence" at the event.
Vendors at the show likely to be of interest to embedded Windows developers include the following, among many others:- Adlink
- AMD
- ARM
- Axiomtek
- Green Hills Software
- Intel
- Kontron
- Microsoft
- Renesas
- STMicroelectronics
- Texas Instruments
Via's Artigo PC
Via's Artigo
(Click image to read our previous coverage) |
As mentioned above, attendees who have purchased an "all access" pass to the show will be given Via's Artigo. Valued at $300, this is a computer kit based on the company's Epia PX10000G pico-ITX motherboard.
ESC Silicon Valley attendees can assemble the Artigo on-site
(Click to enlarge)
Attendees will be able to take the 1.14-pound system from class to class, building it and configuring it during the show. Artigo-specific classes will explain how to add features such as security/encryption, wireless networking, a Web server, and a variety of other applications, according to TechInsights.
Further information
The "all access" package allows attendees into every ESC Silicon Valley event, including a special twentieth anniversary party. It costs $2,295 for those who register by this Friday, $2,495 before Apr. 9, and $2,695 onsite. At the other end of the price spectrum, a $295 "exhibits plus" pass gives access to the show floor, keynotes, career fair, and sponsored sessions.
For other pricing packages, and further information about ESC Silicon Valley, see the show website, here.
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