Customer Profile
Texas Instruments
12500 TI Blvd., MS 8731
Dallas, Texas 75243
Phone: (214) 480-2425
Fax: (214) 480-2284
http://www.ti.com/
Texas
Instruments, Inc. (TI) designs UltraMedia controller
for supporting Smart cards, Memory Sticks and USB cards
along with 16-bit PC cards to be used with the PCMCIA
slots.
Our Solution
We have provided a
set of drivers and applications for UltraMedia Controller
using Windows Driver Model (WDM) Architecture implementing
Plug ‘ n’ Play and Power Management features
under Microsoft Windows 2000/XP Operating Systems.
Tools and Technologies
- Analysis
and Design: Visio 2000
- Architecture:
Windows Driver Model (WDM)
- Development
tools: Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0,
- Microsoft
Windows 2000/XP,
- Microsoft
Driver Development Kit (DDK),
- WinDbg,
KD (kernel Debugger),
- Microsoft
Visual Source Safe
- Interfacing
with External systems:
- Microsoft
Smart Card Resource Manager
- Testing:
FPGA JTAG and Quickturn Simulator
Methodology
ESN has a well-defined Software Development Life Cycle
(SDLC) model that takes an iterative approach in executing
a project. Each build or milestone would have incremental
functionality. Builds/milestones are scheduled so that
obtaining specific requirements related to the build/milestone,
revision of project documents, planning, thorough testing
and bug fixing are carried out incrementally.
This
approach mitigates risks in Project implementation,
espESNally in implementing large systems like UltraMedia
Drivers.
One of
the team members plays the role of a Quality Analyst.
The main activities of a Quality Analyst are to review
and update project documents, organize testing activities
and conduct regular code reviews and code walkthroughs.
Designated Team Members work
along with the Quality Analyst as members of the testing
team continuously aiming to enhance the quality of the
software delivered.
Benefits
The software is tightly
integrated into the Microsoft platform and provides
full support to the applications developed using Microsoft
SDK and DDK.
TI was able to cost effectively
and efficiently get their drivers developed. |
Introduction
The drivers developed for UltraMedia Controller allow
the applications to access the UltraMedia controller
and take advantage of the new interfaces supported by
the controller. These drivers are developed based on
Microsoft guidelines and are compatible to the applications
that are developed using Microsoft SDK.
Situation
UltraMedia Controller is an advanced version of the
present Cardbus Controller, which is being developed
by Texas Instruments. Laptops with UltraMedia Controller
allow laptop users to use low-cost Cardbay adapters
for Smart Cards, Memory Sticks and USB Cards to be used
with the PCMCIA slots by adding new interfaces to the
existing Cardbus controller.
We were tasked to develop a set of drivers for the
UltraMedia Controller hardware under latest Microsoft
Platforms.
Features
The set of drivers developed
for UltraMedia controller and a short description of each
is provided below. Firmware Loader Driver
Firmware Loader Driver is responsible
for loading the firmware into the chip RAM of the UltraMedia
Controller.
Smart Card Reader Driver
When a CardBay Smart Card adapter is inserted
in the PCMCIA slot, Smart Card Reader Driver gets loaded
and interfaces to the host Smart Card stack and provides
the mechanism for the higher-level components to access
the Smart Card hardware.
Smart Socket Driver
When a USB CardBay card is inserted
in the PCMCIA slot Smart Socket Driver is loaded and
it requests the Card and Socket services to power the
PCMCIA slot.
The Smart Card Driver is fully compatible
with ISO/IEC 7816-1,2,3,4 standards and compatible to
PC/SC and EMV ’96 specifications. These drivers
are developed based on Windows Driver Model architecture.
Our Process
- Thorough study of requirements was
carried out leading to the preparation of Software
Requirements specification (SRS)
-
Investigation of technology choices
for the implementation of the Project.
-
High Level and Detailed Design documents
of the system are created.
-
Prototype versions with Incremental
functionality are sent to the client to obtain the
feedback from the client.
- Coding standards according to Microsoft
DDK are strictly implemented. The Quality Analyst
and senior members of the team carry out regular code
reviews and walkthroughs
- Carry out testing using FPGA and Quickturn
Simulator.
Conclusion
We use our expertise in driver development
and have a proven track record of providing efficient
project management and effective communication.
We also contributed in designing the
UltraMedia controller to make the hardware compatible
with Microsoft Windows. This project is a case study of
our experience in driver development and the strengths
we have both in terms of hardware and software skills
required for projects of this nature. |
