Striking a balance between reliability and availability

Can you achieve one without

sacrificing the other?

Maybe it's just me, but a lot of people seem to use reliability and availability interchangeably. I often hear people say 99.999% reliability when, in fact, they are referring to availability.

So what is the difference between the two? And why is that difference important? I'm glad you asked. :-)

In a software-based system, availability refers to how often the system responds to events or stimuli in a timely manner; reliability, on the other hand, refers to how often the responses are correct. The distinction can be a matter of life or death. For instance, in some medical devices, it is preferable to have no response (where little or nothing happens to the patient) than a wrong response (where the device harms the patient irreparably). Whereas in other systems, any response of sufficient accuracy or quality may be preferable to no response at all.

But here's the thing. Regardless of whether a system is more sensitive to availability or reliability, it should still take pre-defined (and carefully considered) actions when a dangerous condition arises. For instance, if the control system for a high-speed train fails, it will move to its design safe state, which will probably involve applying the brakes.

So far, so good. The problem is, many systems are components of larger systems. So even when a component is avoiding a genuinely dangerous situation, its behavior may put stress on the larger system and lower that system's availability.

Moreover, the behavior of an overall system when an unanticipated condition occurs can be very difficult to predict, for the simple reason that the system depends on multiple, largely independent, components moving to their design safe states. None of those components, and their safe states, can be considered in isolation. For instance, in 1993, Lufthansa Flight 2904 overran a runway because the reverse thrust deployment system operated exactly to specification. Unfortunately, the system designers hadn't anticipated conditions during a cross-wind landing.

Enough from me. I invite you read the ECN article "Balancing reliability and availability", written by my colleague and senior software developer Chris Hobbs. Chris discusses how it's possible to strike a balance between reliability and availability — and why designing safe software can require the ability and willingness to think from the outside in.

QNX announces support for new Intel Atom E3800 processor family

In 2008, the Intel Intelligent Systems Alliance presented QNX Software Systems with an "Award of Excellence, Most Innovative Software" for its fastboot support of the Intel Atom Processor. Fast forward to this morning, when QNX announced that it will extend its Atom support to include the new Intel Atom E3800 product family, which was created to address the high performance-per-watt demands of medical devices, building automation panels, industrial control systems, in-car infotainment systems, and other smart devices.

Said Sam Cravatta, product line manager at Intel, "Stellar graphics support is crucial for application and intelligent system development. The Atom processor E3800 product family is the first to take advantage of Intel’s Gen 7 graphics, complementing QNX Software Systems’ graphics framework, tools, and runtime components for creating sophisticated displays that feature improved 2D and 3D graphics rendering with little CPU overhead.”

Highlights of the Intel Atom E3800 family include high I/O connectivity, an integrated memory controller, virtualization, error correcting code (ECC), and a thermal design power range of 5W to 10W2.

Read the QNX press release and read more about the E3800 product family.

Adding sound to eliminate sound: a new solution for noisy engines

Car engines have been getting noisier.
But chances are, you haven't noticed. That's because automakers have been taking measures to mask the noise.

So where is the noise coming from? Automakers need to reduce fuel consumption. And to do that, they are employing techniques such as variable cylinder management and operating the engine at lower RPM. These techniques can result in more "boom" that permeates the car's interior.

So how are automakers masking the noise? Well, it's not by adding damping materials. In fact, many automakers are removing such materials to help make their cars lighter and more fuel efficient — a practice that can allow more engine sound to reach the driver and passengers.

The weapon of choice is, paradoxically, sound. By playing “anti-noise” (i.e. sound that is directly proportional but inverted to the offending engine tones) over the car’s speakers, automakers can, in effect, make engine noise disappear. This approach is similar to noise-cancelling headphones, but targeted specifically at engine sounds. It's also more complicated, as it must take into account the unique acoustic properties of each vehicle model — properties that change when you open and close windows, add or remove passengers, and so on.

Now here's the thing: The active noise control (ANC) systems currently used by automakers require dedicated hardware. This adds cost and complexity. So the acoustics engineers at QNX have come up with a different approach: a software-based solution that can run on existing infotainment or audio hardware. The result is significantly lower Bill of Materials costs and an ANC solution that integrates better with other audio tasks, including hands-free calling.

Mind you, there are other benefits as well. But don't take it from me. Check out this blog post from my inestimable colleague Tina Jeffrey, who provides the full skinny on the new QNX Acoustics for Active Noise Control product and why it offers a better approach to traditional solutions.

Garmin taps QNX technology to create K2 infotainment platform

Complete digital cockpit delivers navigation, diagnostics, streaming media, smartphone integration, and voice recognition

Most people are familiar with Garmin's many portable GPS devices, from sports watches to action cameras to PNDs. But Garmin has also created the K2, a next-generation infotainment solution that's built for automakers and based on the QNX CAR platform.

The K2 is a complete “digital cockpit” that comprises multiple digital displays, on- and off-board voice recognition, smartphone integration, and optional embedded 4G connectivity. It's designed to give drivers simple, intuitive access to navigation, vehicle diagnostics, streaming media, and realtime Web information. It's also designed with scalability in mind, so automakers can use it to address diverse market requirements and cost targets.

According to Matt Munn, managing director of Garmin’s automotive OEM group, “the QNX CAR platform has played a major role in helping us to achieve our goal of providing both world-class software reliability and flexible access to emerging consumer applications. From the proven stability and performance of the QNX architecture to the company’s worldwide industry recognition, QNX was the logical choice.”

Other key features of the K2 include a 3D-enhanced city model, a predictive services calendar, and remote personalization and control via a web portal or smartphone.

Here's the K2 at a glance:

Source: Garmin

And here's a demo of the system, filmed by Engadget at 2013 CES:



For more information on this announcement, read the press release. And for more on the K2 itself, visit the Garmin blog.

A version of this article was originally posted on the QNX auto blog.

Foryou Electronics, leading infotainment supplier in China, makes the shift to QNX CAR platform

A Foryou infotainment system.
Source: Foryou

This just in: Foryou General Electronics, a global supplier of in-car infotainment systems, has chosen the QNX CAR platform to develop infotainment and navigation systems for automakers in China.

Said Steven Chen, CTO of Foryou General Electronics, ”we appreciate the modular, pre-integrated approach that the QNX CAR platform offers because it allows us to develop highly reliable, differentiated infotainment solutions for entry-level to high-end vehicles.”

Foryou chose the QNX CAR platform after comprehensive testing of competing infotainment platforms, including open source solutions.

Established in September 2002, Foryou General Electronics is a subsidiary of Foryou Group Ltd., one of the top 100 electronic information enterprises of China. Its products are sold in more than 80 countries and regions worldwide; company sales were more than US$300 million in 2012.

For more information on this announcement, read the press release.

20 million points of interest
In related news, QNX has also announced that it is partnering with AutoNavi, a leading provider of digital map content and navigation solutions in China, to integrate AutoNavi’s technology into the QNX CAR platform.

AutoNavi offers a digital map database that covers approximately 3.6 million kilometers of roadway and over 20 million points of interest across China. By supporting this database, the QNX CAR platform will enable automotive companies to create navigation systems optimized for the Chinese market and users.

Said Yongqi Yang, executive vice president of automotive business, AutoNavi, “as a leading global provider of vehicle infotainment software platforms, QNX is not only a technology leader, but also a design concept innovator in enhancing vehicle flexibility — infotainment designs based on the QNX CAR Platform can be quickly customized.”

For more information on this partnership, read the press release. And to learn more about AutoNavi, visit their website.

This article was originally posted on the QNX auto blog.

Panasonic goes global with QNX CAR platform

In the automotive market — or any market, for that matter — a product platform must be judged by its flexibility. After all, the whole point of a platform is to help you create multiple products or product lines, each with its own distinguishing features, while reusing as many components as possible. Done right, a platform lets you target multiple price points, multiple consumer segments, and multiple geographies, in the least time and at the least cost. If that doesn’t define flexibility, I don’t know what does.

Which brings me to Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America. They’re an international supplier of infotainment systems — Chevy MyLink and Chrysler Uconnect are just two of their products — and they need this kind of flexibility to deliver localized solutions  to their OEM customers in North America, Europe, and Japan. To help achieve it, they use the QNX CAR platform.

Flexible by design: MyLink supports
a touchscreen, voice commands,
and steering-wheel buttons.

To quote Scott Kirchner, vice president and CTO of Panasonic Automotive Systems, “we wanted a platform that would let us quickly customize our infotainment systems for a variety of markets and customer requirements — the QNX CAR platform, with its modular architecture and support for mobile connectivity standards, provides the inherent flexibility we were looking for.”

That quote comes from a press release issued just a few minutes ago. To read the release in its entirety, visit the QNX website. But before you click, remember also to visit the Chevy website, where you can find out more about the MyLink system. And did I mention? MyLink has been building quite the trophy case, what with the Best of CES 2013 Award it won in January and the CTIA Emerging Technology (E-Tech) Award it won in May.

Chevy MyLink system.
Images: Chevrolet

This post originally appeared on the QNX auto blog

Six QNX videos more people ought to see

Looking for examples of how people use QNX? You've come to the right place. From outer space to the automotive space, these six videos demonstrate the sheer flexibility and dynamic range of QNX technology. Better yet, you get to hear five users describe, in their own words, why QNX is important to what they do.

QNX in space
First up is Iain Christie of Neptec, the company responsible for creating the SVS and LCS camera systems on the NASA space shuttle. Highlight: when Ian explains the importance of QNX to the shuttle program (1:46). For more on the QNX-based LCS system, see my previous post.



QNX in the clinic
Next up is Vladimir Derenchuk of the Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center, which uses proton beams to blast difficult-to-treat tumors. Highlight: it's all good, but listen to Vladimir explain why they chose QNX, and how it has helped with FDA approvals (1:34).



QNX in the HVAC
Next up is Hans Symanczik of Kieback & Peter, a German firm that has used QNX in building automation systems for more than 20 years. Highlight: when Hans explains the ultimate benefit of the QNX OS (2:07).



QNX on the air
Next up is Mikael Vest of NTP, a Danish company that supplies QNX-based audio routers to the global television and radio broadcasting industry. Highlight: Mikael himself, who gladly did this interview despite suffering from a flu to end all flus. A real trooper.



QNX on the road
Next up is Rick Kreifeldt of Harman International, a company known in the automotive industry for its ability to push the technology envelope. Highlight: the section where Rick's respect for the QNX team shines through (2:14).



QNX in flight
And last but not least is Thomas Allen from Mechtronix, a company that has developed an innovative, software-based approach to building flight simulators. Highlight: when Allen states that Mechtronix simulators effectively use the same software architecture as the QNX OS (0:45). Years, ago, someone explained to me how the QNX OS isn't simply a well-designed, modular OS; it also encourages well-designed, modular systems. In Mechtronix, we have an example.