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Virtutech Simics Selected for Use in Iridium Satellite Software Development and Testing

Posted on: Monday, 29 August 2005, 09:00 CDT

Virtutech, Inc., the leading provider of full system simulation technology for the development and testing of software for advanced electronic systems, today announced that Iridium Satellite LLC, a provider of global wireless satellite communications services, has selected Simics to use in flight software development testing on its constellation of communication satellites. By choosing Simics to develop virtual models for testing its on-orbit satellite applications, Iridium will accelerate the software development and test process.

Iridium operates a complex and interconnected system of 66 cross-linked satellites and in-orbit spares, each powered by a multi-processor system. With Simics, Iridium models the space vehicle multi-processor system for unit test, providing an opportunity to examine how both existing and newly created flight software operates on the satellite. The deterministic capability of full system simulation allows the developer to recreate performance issues for in-depth inspection and diagnosis.

"With Simics we were able to locate defects in the flight software within hours versus days compared with using traditional hardware in the loop testing," said Joe Pizzicaroli, vice president, Satellite and Launch Operations, Iridium Satellite. "Having no physical access to on-orbit Iridium hardware on the ground makes developing flight software to mitigate on-orbit issues very difficult. By simulating the satellite hardware with the Simics tool, development and validations of flight software modifications are accelerated."

"The extension of Virtutech's superior technology into aerospace is another validation of the business benefits of full system simulation for accurate test and development of the most complex electronic system software," said John Lambert, president and CEO of Virtutech. "This important customer win is yet another example of the successful utilization of software-based simulation in a market where the end product is literally out of this world."

Virtutech's full system simulation platform, Simics, allows software developers to model hardware so accurately that the software cannot detect the difference between running on real production hardware and running on Simics. Any code -- from application code to low-level code, such as real-time operating systems, device-drivers and protocol stacks -- can run on Simics exceptionally fast.

About Iridium Satellite

Iridium Satellite LLC (www.iridium.com) is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. Iridium makes this possible through its constellation of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites and 11 in-orbit spares. The Iridium service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation and utilities. Iridium provides service to the U.S. Department of Defense. The company designs, builds and sells its services, products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 100 service providers, value-added resellers, value-added manufacturers, and value-added developers.

About Virtutech

Virtutech, Inc. is the world's leading provider of full system simulation technology for the development and testing of software for advanced electronic systems. Virtutech's core software development platform -- Simics -- features Hindsight, the world's first general reversible execution technology for software development and test. Simics enables companies to reap real line-item benefits by reducing capital expenditure while dramatically accelerating system development. Based on more than a decade of R&D and close collaboration with leading universities and systems vendors, Virtutech's technology is serving the needs of the world's leading technology providers.

Virtutech is headquartered at 1740 Technology Drive, Suite 460, San Jose, CA 95110. For more information, visit www.virtutech.com or email info@virtutech.com.

Source: Business Wire

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