Smiths Detection

Choosing Nucleus RTOS

Developers at Smiths Detection chose Nucleus RTOS for several reasons. One was due to Mentor Graphics' flexible business model and the inclusion of source code. Portable, hand held devices, sold in high volume, require costs to be controlled to meet customer price expectations. "Clear and complete" software documentation was another reason for selecting Nucleus. Volodimir Bondarenko, digital electronics engineer at Smiths Detection, cited the documentation as an additional factor in choosing Nucleus because it was "very easy to learn."

One of the most important issues was finding a kernel that supported the Hitachi SH3 processor that developers at Smiths Detection were using to develop the SABRE 2000. Nucleus RTOS supports a wide variety of processors, and the SH3 is just one in a family of fully supported Hitachi CPUs

Development of the SABRE 2000 extended for nearly 9 months. Mr. Bondarenko recommends Nucleus RTOS and sees the kernel as useful in future developments at Smiths Detection.

SABRE 2000 Hand Held Trace Detector

The SABRE 2000 incorporates proven IONSCAN® detection technology into a small, lightweight portable package, with the capability of detecting narcotics, explosives and chemical warfare agents.

The portable SABRE 2000 can process both vapor and particle samples, which maximizes its detection capabilities for a wide range of target substances in a variety of security and law enforcement missions. The versatility of the SABRE 2000 distinguishes it from every other product available worldwide today.

The SABRE 2000 is best suited for such applications as corrections, law enforcement, customs, military security, EOD/search and sensitive site security applications. Smiths Detection provides this state-of-the-art technology to law enforcement units, government buildings, customs agencies, schools and the military.