Protect Data Integrity, Improve Performance and Extend Flash Life in Data-Critical Industries: Datalight

Datalight develops, markets, and supports software that makes the consumer devices and embedded computers that run the world more reliable, responsive and cost-effective. Since its early days in a Seattle suburb in 1983, Datalight has built a client list stretching around the globe with technology companies whose names are synonymous with quality. It helped IBM build the world's first smartphone and have gone on to work with market leading companies like LG, Symbol, Canon, Sony-Ericsson, Bosch, and many more who are well known but consider its software a trade secret.

Datalight provides a solid-state optimized storage stack to forward-thinking tier 1 OEMs, such as Motorola Solutions, Bosch and Rockwell Automation. Since 1992 Datalight has produced both a file system and an FTL flash driver, giving us an in-depth understanding of technologies used in the flash controller as well as file system technology. Its expertise is recognized by manufacturers of mobile phones, consumer devices of all types, automotive, industrial and embedded applications around the world. Datalight host software is in 6 of the top 10 ruggedized handhelds, an industrial Converged Mobile Device similar in application workload to smartphones and tablets that demand high performance, data integrity and supply chain resilience. The datalight software is highly-reliable, operating system agnostic and works with Linux, Microsoft Windows Embedded, and other embedded and mobile operating systems.

Datalight Products

Embedded File Systems

A file system is used to categorize information, allowing it to be stored in separate files and folders. For an embedded device, one of the most critical aspects of a file system is reliability – the device must always be able to boot up, regardless of when the power was interrupted.

Datalight file systems are designed for power interruption and give the developer complete control over how much data is at risk with dynamic transaction points. Within the scope of this requirement, Datalight’s savvy developers have worked to give the best possible performance, often on-par with non-reliable solutions such as FAT.

All of the products below are provided in source code format and run in a variety of RTOS (Real Time Operating System) environments.

NitroBoot - The Fastest Way to Boot Linux Systems

As embedded devices become more complex, boot times increase. But this doesn’t have to be true in your devices. NitroBoot can wake devices up nearly instantaneously, enabling full functionality right away.

With NitroBoot, manufacturers can develop automotive (IVI), mobile devices and digital home electronics that can be instantly launched from zero standby power. This is accomplished by preferentially restoring the memory areas necessary for booting the system. This technology helps device manufacturers produce unforgettable user experiences and distinguish themselves from the competition. 

ROM-DOS - DOS for the Embedded Systems

ROM-DOS was introduced in 1989 as an MS-DOS compatible operating system engineered specifically for embedded developers. The most robust DOS available to serve the embedded marketplace, ROM-DOS enables current desktop hardware in legacy implementations. ROM-DOS continues to have backward compatibility build options and is the fastest way to connect an embedded system to the Internet.

OEMs are now able to take advantage of large disk drives and Long File Names with ROM-DOS 7.1. With as little as a 186 CPU, a small amount of RAM and flash memory or other non-volatile storage, OEMs can create a low-cost system in no time.

Datalight offers two ROM-DOS options:

• ROM-DOS Software Development Kit provides unrivaled flexibility to embedded developers.
• ROM-DOS Single User Version is a DOS solution perfect for desktop users and OEMs wanting a single seat replacement DOS.

The benefits of ROM-DOS include:

• Embedded Design Features
• Foundational OS
• Connectivity Tools
• Product Technical Support

Testimonial

"Datalight Support has been extremely responsive, helpful, and proactive. It has been very refreshing to have this type of support from a vendor. My tasks revolve completely around working with third-parties and vendors. They are very professional, dedicated, and willing to go the extra mile to make sure the customers are happy."

• Dona Allen, Intel Software 3rd Party Manager, Intel Corporation

Meet the Leader

Roy Sherrill, CEO and President: With more than 28 years of experience in the embedded software industry, Roy is a regular speaker at industry forums such as the Embedded Systems Conference, Flash Memory Summit, and Storage Visions, and is active in the Vistage executive leadership organization. Prior to founding Datalight in 1983, Roy was an engineer at the Boeing Corporation, where he developed software tools for the B1 Bomber. Roy then went on to research and develops prototype multi-processor operating system for the Advanced Tactical Fighter. Roy holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

“The world’s best-known device manufacturers rely on Datalight software to enhance performance and speed time-to-market.”