FORTecH Software GmbH

Porting Prototypical Solutions

FORTecH Software has developed a methodology for reliable and efficient transfer of prototypical solutions into products ready to go into production. The methodology is designed to cope with systems processing real world scenes. After completion and validation of a software prototype typical tasks characterize the transfer to cost optimized target systems

• Replacing floating-point with integer arithmetic
• Partitioning of algorithms for parallel processing on DSP multi-core architectures
• Optimizing memory and computing time
• Adherence to real time requirements
• Verification of functional equivalence (identical answers for the same input data)

For the porting we collaborate closely with the algorithm and hardware developers. We guarantee the functional equivalence between prototype and target system by the automated comparison of intermediate results.

Innovative 3D Applications

In several projects FORTecH Software has been able to gain experience in the extraction of 3D information from real world scenes, using stereoscopic or moving monocular camera systems. The use of 3D information stabilized by a tracker often leads to surprisingly simple solutions compared to 2D processes.

Camera Calibration

A typical problem in image processing is the determination of the intrinsic and extrinsic calibration of the cameras used. We have experience in the implementation of specific application solutions for both forms of calibration in embedded and cost optimized applications.

Optical Tracking

Systems for processing real scenes typically include an environmental model. It administers statistically secured hypotheses, which are derived from observations of the environment. This allows robust identification of objects from video streams even with sporadically missing observations. FORTecH Software offers a plug-in based framework, which supports the efficient implementation of individual optical tracking solutions.

The objective of many projects by FORTecH Software is the recording, analysis, visualization and storage of measurement data. Projects of this type are typically long term and are often monitored across the whole life cycle from the requirements analysis, through design and development right up to support. Frequently a breakdown of the software into device firmware and PC-supported operating and configuration software is found.

Skills

• Actuation of specific customer hardware (Processors based on x86-, SHx- and ARM, DSPs, FPGAs, various micro-controllers)
• Communications (TCP, UDP, USB, Modbus, CAN, LIN, I²C, SPI, MIPI CSI, proprietary protocols) between device and PC
• Monitoring, analyzing and archiving measurement data in accordance with international and national standards (ISO, DIN, GOST, GPA)
• PC control software for the configuration of the measurement process, visualization, archiving of measurement data
• Operating system support for the device (Windows CE adaptation, development and logging infrastructure, boot loaders, flash-file system etc.)
• Implementing complex firmware update scenarios including the migration of settings
• Cryptographic securing the system integrity and user authentication as well as traceable logging of changes to the device settings

Project Examples

• Verifiable identification of the components and calorific value of natural gas on stand-alone gas chromatographs
• Recording operational data in large scale laundries for long term quality assurance
• Data management and generation of reference data for the acoustic quality control of vehicle transmissions
• Component identification with NIR spectrometers
• Operation and monitoring of the distributed control system for the beam operation of a particle accelerator

Windows Embedded Compact is a real time operating system from Microsoft for embedded devices. For many applications it represents a real alternative to other real time operating systems found in the market.
We use Windows Embedded Compact successfully in industrial measurement technology. Many solutions are managed without an integrated graphical user interface and have to guarantee high availability and long term stability.

Skills

We support our customers in all questions regarding the adaption of the operating system to the customers hardware:

• Adapting the Windows Embedded Compact-Kernel, providing the OEM Adaption Layer (OAL) and also the Board Support Package (BSP)
• Implementation of first-stage and second stage boot loaders with recovery functionality
• Implementation of system services for system-wide tasks such as communication, monitoring, logging and update
• Support for asymmetric multiprocessing on multicore architectures including hardware aided isolation of the parallel working systems 

It goes without saying that we also take on the development of the application software in C++ or C#.

Security

By the ability to link all system components to networks new requirements on securing all interfaces of devices in the field arise. In our solutions modern cryptographic methods - even hardware aided - for authentication of users and authorisation of data connections are included. We support gapless 'Secure Boot', including a remote update procedure, on all devices in te field.

Project Examples

• Analyser for calibration requiring detection of the useful heat of natural gas (x86)
• Adaptation of Windows Embedded Compact for a modular hardware plattform for gas chromatographs (XILINX Zynq)
• Firmware development for a family of continuously measuring gas analysers based on laser-diode-spectrometry measuring principles (XILINX Zynq)
• mobile plattform for position tracking and documentation at contruction sites (Freescale iMX6)