A
Ali
Introduction
Windows CE is an operating system developed by Microsoft for embedded
systems. Windows CE is a distinct operating system and is a Real time,
kernel, rather than a trimmed-down version of desktop Windows. It is
not to be confused with Windows XP Embedded which is NT-based.
Microsoft licenses Windows CE to OEMs and device makers. The OEMs and
device makers can modify and create their own user interfaces and
experiences, while Windows CE provides the technical foundation to do
so. The current version of Windows Embedded Compact supports Intel x86
and compatibles, MIPS, and ARM processors.
Features
Windows CE is optimized for devices that have nominal storage, Windows
CE kernel may run in under a megabyte of memory. Devices are often
configured without disk storage, and may be configured as a “closed”
system that does not allow for end-user extension. Windows CE conforms
to the definition of a real-time operating system, with deterministic
interrupt latency. From version 3 and onward, the system supports 256
priority levels and uses priority inheritance for dealing with
priority inversion. The fundamental unit of execution is the thread.
This helps to simplify the interface and improve execution time.
Microsoft has stated that the ‘CE’ is not an intentional initialism,
but many people believe CE stands for ‘Consumer Electronics’ or
‘Compact Edition’. Microsoft says the letters instead imply a number
of Windows CE design precepts, including “Compact, Connectable,
Compatible, Companion, and Efficient.” The first version, known during
development under the code name “Pegasus”, featured a Windows-like GUI
and a number of Microsoft's popular applications, all trimmed down for
smaller storage, memory, and speed of the palmtops of the day. Since
then, Windows CE has evolved into a component-based, embedded, real-
time operating system. It is no longer targeted solely at hand-held
computers. Many platforms have been based on the core Windows CE
operating system, including Microsoft's AutoPC, Pocket PC 2000, Pocket
PC 2002, Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Mobile 2003 SE, Windows Mobile
5.0, Windows Mobile 6, Smartphone 2002, Smartphone 2003, Portable
Media Center and many industrial devices and embedded systems.
A distinctive feature of Windows CE compared to other Microsoft
operating systems is that large parts of it are offered in source code
form. So you could imagine what you can do with it. First, source code
was offered to several vendors, so they could adjust it to their
hardware. Then products like Platform Builder (an integrated
environment for Windows CE OS image creation and integration, or
customized operating system designs based on CE) offered several
components in source code form to the general public. However, a
number of core components that do not need adaptation to specific
hardware environments (other than the CPU family) are still
distributed in binary only form.
Soon am going to share my projects and experience on WinCE here on
this blog http://wincecsharp.blogspot.com
For more informative articles and my Projects developed visit my other
blogs.
Windows CE is an operating system developed by Microsoft for embedded
systems. Windows CE is a distinct operating system and is a Real time,
kernel, rather than a trimmed-down version of desktop Windows. It is
not to be confused with Windows XP Embedded which is NT-based.
Microsoft licenses Windows CE to OEMs and device makers. The OEMs and
device makers can modify and create their own user interfaces and
experiences, while Windows CE provides the technical foundation to do
so. The current version of Windows Embedded Compact supports Intel x86
and compatibles, MIPS, and ARM processors.
Features
Windows CE is optimized for devices that have nominal storage, Windows
CE kernel may run in under a megabyte of memory. Devices are often
configured without disk storage, and may be configured as a “closed”
system that does not allow for end-user extension. Windows CE conforms
to the definition of a real-time operating system, with deterministic
interrupt latency. From version 3 and onward, the system supports 256
priority levels and uses priority inheritance for dealing with
priority inversion. The fundamental unit of execution is the thread.
This helps to simplify the interface and improve execution time.
Microsoft has stated that the ‘CE’ is not an intentional initialism,
but many people believe CE stands for ‘Consumer Electronics’ or
‘Compact Edition’. Microsoft says the letters instead imply a number
of Windows CE design precepts, including “Compact, Connectable,
Compatible, Companion, and Efficient.” The first version, known during
development under the code name “Pegasus”, featured a Windows-like GUI
and a number of Microsoft's popular applications, all trimmed down for
smaller storage, memory, and speed of the palmtops of the day. Since
then, Windows CE has evolved into a component-based, embedded, real-
time operating system. It is no longer targeted solely at hand-held
computers. Many platforms have been based on the core Windows CE
operating system, including Microsoft's AutoPC, Pocket PC 2000, Pocket
PC 2002, Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Mobile 2003 SE, Windows Mobile
5.0, Windows Mobile 6, Smartphone 2002, Smartphone 2003, Portable
Media Center and many industrial devices and embedded systems.
A distinctive feature of Windows CE compared to other Microsoft
operating systems is that large parts of it are offered in source code
form. So you could imagine what you can do with it. First, source code
was offered to several vendors, so they could adjust it to their
hardware. Then products like Platform Builder (an integrated
environment for Windows CE OS image creation and integration, or
customized operating system designs based on CE) offered several
components in source code form to the general public. However, a
number of core components that do not need adaptation to specific
hardware environments (other than the CPU family) are still
distributed in binary only form.
Soon am going to share my projects and experience on WinCE here on
this blog http://wincecsharp.blogspot.com
For more informative articles and my Projects developed visit my other
blogs.