A world of Windows

Those of you involved in the world of embedded software product development will be aware of the hundreds of commercial and free operating systems available to you. In recent years Microsoft has made steady progress in this huge, but slightly unglamorous, part of the computer industry that continues to grow. Increased processor power and reliable, interoperable networks move the industry towards the goal of pervasive computing, where applications and information are painlessly shared across diverse media.

Microsoft's move into embedded operating systems didn't really start until 1996 when Windows CE 1.0 was launched into the large hand-held PDA market. However it wasn't until Windows CE 2.0 came along in 1998 that engineers involved in the industrial and OEM markets could really consider using the operating system to add desktop-style GUI features to their latest industrial plant controllers. Windows CE 2.0 offered many desktop Windows features in a much smaller footprint and at a considerably reduced licence cost. This early version of CE was let down by its tools for building operating systems and its application development tools, a situation rectified when Microsoft introduced Windows CE 3.0 in 2000. Earlier this year Windows CE .NET was released to incorporate recent architectural developments and the latest in technology and standards.

The Windows CE product line has been a serious contender in the embedded systems marketplace for only four years, and during this relatively short time Microsoft has learned, adapted and improved both operating system and associated tools out of all recognition, itself a commendable achievement. It will not be the best fit for every single embedded application but is ideal for those that need the widest selection of display and network features, many courtesy of its desktop stable-mates. Having listened to customers, Microsoft has created a good general-purpose product that is able to compete head to head with embedded Linux and which is gaining ground on today's current leading embedded operating system vendor, Wind River Systems.

Microsoft has made a commitment to this market and, whilst there are no certainties in life, it is likely that it will be successful. Embedded systems products can take a long time to develop and then have long working lives, so you want be able to choose a supplier that is likely to stay the course with a technology roadmap that allows enhancements during this time. Companies will be committing money to developments which may not see the light of day for 18 months, could take a year to get established, sell for five to seven years and then carry on under maintenance for longer still. Incremental development in the operating system offers the continuity needed to evolve your own products and ensures that new customers start with an operating system that offers the latest technology. They rarely ask for reductions in functionality.

Since Microsoft's primary aim is to sell software licences while third parties add value with bolt-on services and applications, it positively encourages companies to join its Embedded Partner program. This helps prospective customers find a partner offering tools, applications, services and hardware for use in their own products. At its annual Developer's Conference, the Windows Embedded development team recognises partners that lead the market in product innovation and in October 2002 Arcom received an Independent Hardware Vendor award. Arcom's ready-to-run Development Kits combine its single board computers with fully ported versions of Windows CE and Windows XP Embedded.

Using Windows is not every engineer's first choice and there are some embedded applications for which it is unsuitable. However, if your product is going to use a 32-bit processor, may need a graphics display, requires nothing faster than 25ms interrupt latency and could benefit from plenty of communications options, take a serious look at Windows CE. In my opinion, Microsoft, Wind River and various distributions of embedded Linux will dominate design wins in the embedded operating system market for the next five years.

Arcom
m100@industrialnetworking.co.uk