Enabling the Migration to Software-Defined Platforms for Critical Infrastructure

Embedded systems used in critical infrastructure are currently undergoing a dramatic evolution. Historically, they had varying levels of network connectivity, performed fixed functions, and may have undergone manual software updates in the field as part of long in-service lifetimes. Now the advent of ubiquitous network connectivity has accelerated innovation of embedded systems at the edge of the network, known as edge devices. This has driven demand for enhanced application capabilities that perform traditional automation and control functions while adding greater intelligence and the ability to support more dynamic behavior.

There is a growing need across multiple sectors for devices to be able to support the greater intelligence required to transition from automated to autonomous systems. This is driving technical requirements for open standards–based software-defined architectures to enable consolidation of multiple applications, including those at different levels of criticality, onto common computing platforms. This approach enables application migration, portability, and interoperability, to avoid being locked into proprietary architectures.

Wind River® Helix™ Virtualization Platform addresses these common requirements by providing a flexible virtualization platform that supports open standards–based software-defined architectures. It is based on proven software technologies, enabling it to meet the safety certification requirements of aerospace, automotive, defense, industrial, and medical markets.