Open License Society ______Only software can be perfect

Melexis joins forces with Open License Society in creating a new software and systems services business unit for its customers in the automotive sector.

Background information

Melexis has been supplying critical semiconductor based components to the automotive industry for 10 years. Today, these sensors and systems–on-chip have evolved into smart and flexible devices by adding embedded digital signal processing capability as well as network interface and driver I/O functionality. Melexis product evolution simplifies the challenges faced by vehicle architects in deploying complex control systems to solve the demanding challenges of next generation automobiles. There can be 50 to 100 or more microprocessors in a present day automobile. Increasingly the functionality is provided by software programming, allowing more flexibility as well as more advanced control algorithms to be used.

The result is that cars today offer more performance, better fuel-efficiency and more active safety systems. The increasing complexity demands the highest quality standards for developing the car as a system. This demands a particular focus on the embedded software. The operational conditions of a vehicle today are comparable to those found in the aerospace sector. At the same time, cars are used in less controlled conditions of maintenance so that much more attention must be paid to making the car inherently maintenance free and reliable. This can only be achieved by adopting rigorous development methods coupled with higher levels of productivity.

Open License Society's approach

Open License Society is a private R&D Institute founded by Eric Verhulst. Mr. Verhulst is a recognized visionary with many years experience in developing demanding real-time software and embedded systems. After analyzing the high failure rate of industrial projects a new unifying systems engineering methodology was put forward. In this methodology a single but powerful and straightforward model is developed on the concept of 'Intercating Entities'. Central in the approach is a shift towards up-front modeling and analysis. In the modeling phase maximum use is made of formal mathematical methods. This eliminates errors in the system design and reduces residual errors to a minimum, in particular of the software, even before implementation is started. Open License Society is pioneering this approach with support of the Flemish Government and is setting-up a consortium at the European level to develop a complete toolchain.

Melexis offering more added value for its customers

Melexis' products are continuing the trend of consolidating board and system level functions into single ICs. The components then become user-defined systems-on-a-chip with integrated software. Melexis is aware that this consolidation trend requires quality levels that can only be achieved by applying a rigorous development methodology. Such an approach increases the added value of our products and is vital in remaining competitive in the market. The same approach provides competitive advantages when addressing new markets, such as wireless sensor and control networks. Customer expectations are for fully developed solutions that minimize time to market. Embedded software has become a defining attribute of the solution. Timely and reliable software will enable Melexis customers to keep existing market share and win new opportunities

Details of the agreement

Melexis and Open License Society have reached a mutually reinforcing agreement whereby Eric Verhulst of Open License Society starts up a new business unit at Melexis, focusing on systems and software engineering services. According to Eric Verhulst, director of Open License Society, this is a unique opportunity as it provides a perfect development environment for OLS’ methodology, coupling experience guided insight with real world applications in a demanding and resource constrained environment. Melexis becomes the main sponsor of Open License Society, allowing it to pursue its R&D road map independently but gaining early access to the tool chain as well as to the methodology itself. Melexis will participate in the scientific committee helping to steer the road map in the right direction. Mr. Rudi De Winter, CEO of Melexis said 'The methodology of Open License Society is the result of a long experience and we believe that adopting it is a long term investment for our company. It will offer our customers the competitive advantage of “first time right systems”, through a higher level of involvement in the whole process of developing the final system. We have outstanding semiconductor components, now we add software services as well, but of the highest standards.'

About Melexis: Melexis Microelectronic Integrated Systems N.V. (Euronext Brussels: MELE) designs, develops, tests and markets advanced integrated semiconductor devices. For over a decade, our customers in the automotive electronics market have inspired us to create, manufacture and deliver advanced Mixed Signal semiconductors, sensor ICs, and programmable sensor IC systems. The company sells its products to a wide customer base of automotive system manufacturers in Europe, North America and Asia. Melexis’ products include microcontrollers, Hall (magnetic), optical sensor ICs, interface ICs for pressure and acceleration sensors, micromachined silicon pressure, acceleration and gyroscope sensors , application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), wireless communication (RF) and RFID components, in each case principally for automotive applications. Further information about Melexis can be found below.

About Open License Society Open License Society vzw is a private R&D institute founded by Eric Verhulst and Annie Dejonghe in 2004. Previously Eric was founder and CEO of Eonic Systems, developing and commercializing Real Time Operating Systems as well as high-end computing systems for the DSP market. The technology was sold in 2001 to Wind River Systems. Open License Society researches and develops a unified systems engineering methodology with a focus on developing embedded software using formal modeling methods. The activities of Open License Society are applied R&D, seeking to use the latest academic developments for industrial practice but in an affordable way. Further information can be found below.

Contact: Rudi De Winter, CEO rdw @ melexis.com MELEXIS N.V. Rozendaalstraat 12, B-8900 Ieper, Belgium Tel +32 57 226 131

Eric Verhulst, Director Eric.Verhulst @ OpenLicenseSociety.org Open License Society vzw Zavelstraat 160 B-3010 Leuven, Belgium Tel.:+32 16 350517