SySoft Adapts McObject's eXtremeDB In-Memory Embedded Database For Japanese Manufacturer's MP3 Player
Jan 11, 2005
McObject contracted SySoft - a consulting firm based in Moscow, Russia - to add support for Unicode data types to McObject's eXtremeDB in-memory embedded database. The enhancement was needed for a major Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer's personal MP3 music player that will enable users to store and manage 5000 songs and their titles, artists, genres and albums, as well as user-defined playlists. Using SySoft engineers as an extension of McObject's development team met the customer's requirements while allowing McObject's engineers to remain focused on their own tasks and schedule.
Most MP3 players incorporate custom data management code to handle song data and relationships. But for this new device, the manufacturer sought to sharply limit per-unit production cost, to gain a competitive advantage based on a low retail price.
To minimize the device's bill-of-materials cost, data management code had to occupy less memory, freeing up as much RAM as possible for the MP3 playback buffer.. At the same time, all MP3 song data had to be kept in memory, since the performance cost of going to disk to store playlist changes while a song is playing is incompatible with smooth playback.
Data management could use only minimal CPU resources. Virtually all available CPU cycles were needed for playback, and again, to minimize cost, the design called for a quite inexpensive processor. Finally, the database had to deliver the real-time performance that is the norm in consumer electronics.
The manufacturer determined that a proven off-the-shelf real-time database better met these demands than self-developed data management. Specifically, the firm's engineers determined that McObject's eXtremeDB met the requirements, delivered better results than other available database choices, and would likely cut development time via its intuitive programming interface.
However, the manufacturer needed the database to support Unicode character strings, in order handle the natural sorting order of various national character sets. McObject partner SySoft was contracted to add nchar(N) fixed length and nstring variable length Unicode data types for eXtremeDB, which entailed modifying the data definition (schema) language compiler as well as the database run-time tree index implementation, and writing validation tests and example programs.
SySoft engineers completed the work on time and within budget, enabling the customer in Japan to meet its aggressive schedule for the personal MP3 player.
About SySoft
Founded in 2002, SySoft is a privately held software engineering and consulting company with strong expertise in providing eXtremely reliable embedded software solutions. SySoft assists its customers all along the product development life-cycle - from requirement analysis and specifications, to testing, maintenance, and personnel training - employing the best practices of software design, development and testing every step of the way.
SySoft's experts have a wide variety of technical and scientific backgrounds. They ably meet the requirements of projects including development of BSPs and device drivers, real-time data processing, system integration and real-time embedded applications, in industries ranging from telecommunications to industrial automation and consumer electronics. SySoft's offices are located in Moscow, Russia. For more information, see www.sysoft.ru
Most MP3 players incorporate custom data management code to handle song data and relationships. But for this new device, the manufacturer sought to sharply limit per-unit production cost, to gain a competitive advantage based on a low retail price.
To minimize the device's bill-of-materials cost, data management code had to occupy less memory, freeing up as much RAM as possible for the MP3 playback buffer.. At the same time, all MP3 song data had to be kept in memory, since the performance cost of going to disk to store playlist changes while a song is playing is incompatible with smooth playback.
Data management could use only minimal CPU resources. Virtually all available CPU cycles were needed for playback, and again, to minimize cost, the design called for a quite inexpensive processor. Finally, the database had to deliver the real-time performance that is the norm in consumer electronics.
The manufacturer determined that a proven off-the-shelf real-time database better met these demands than self-developed data management. Specifically, the firm's engineers determined that McObject's eXtremeDB met the requirements, delivered better results than other available database choices, and would likely cut development time via its intuitive programming interface.
However, the manufacturer needed the database to support Unicode character strings, in order handle the natural sorting order of various national character sets. McObject partner SySoft was contracted to add nchar(N) fixed length and nstring variable length Unicode data types for eXtremeDB, which entailed modifying the data definition (schema) language compiler as well as the database run-time tree index implementation, and writing validation tests and example programs.
SySoft engineers completed the work on time and within budget, enabling the customer in Japan to meet its aggressive schedule for the personal MP3 player.
About SySoft
Founded in 2002, SySoft is a privately held software engineering and consulting company with strong expertise in providing eXtremely reliable embedded software solutions. SySoft assists its customers all along the product development life-cycle - from requirement analysis and specifications, to testing, maintenance, and personnel training - employing the best practices of software design, development and testing every step of the way.
SySoft's experts have a wide variety of technical and scientific backgrounds. They ably meet the requirements of projects including development of BSPs and device drivers, real-time data processing, system integration and real-time embedded applications, in industries ranging from telecommunications to industrial automation and consumer electronics. SySoft's offices are located in Moscow, Russia. For more information, see www.sysoft.ru