Reality Bites-
David R. Lehenky (msg#834) wrote:
>Ignoring the fact that WinCE is not a "hard" RTOS, its (Windows CE)
>main differentiating feature, compared to WINDs VxWorks, is its user
>interface. However, embedded systems do not require this Graphic
>User Interface (GUI). This is, in fact, the characteristic that
>best defines "embedded" systems.
This is not exactly correct according to the following information-
See the following excerpt from the, March 10, 1997,
"Microsoft Embedded Review" Supplement (distributed with EE
Times Magazine), pg 29, Article "Windows CE: The New Choice for
Dedicated Systems", by Franklin Fite, Jr. Product Unit Manager,
Windows CE Product Unit, Microsoft Corporation:
"The memory needed by a Windows CE system is totally dependent
on which components the designer of the system selects. For
example, a low end system with just the kernel, the communications
stacks, and a single non-display application would require less
than one-half Megabyte of ROM and 256KB of RAM (depending on the
application needs, of course)."
Doesn't sound to me like Windows CE application needs a display
or visual interface (GUI).
Also from this same article:
"There are also thousands of Windows CE Independent Software
Vendors (ISV's) and Independent Hardware Vendors (IHV's) who
can work with designers on custom applications and peripherals
or provide already working components. This combination of
Microsoft's Windows CE technology with our partner companies
yields a tremendous set of resources and opportunities for the
embedded system designer."
Isn't it interesting that Microsoft is now distributing a
publication called the "Microsoft Embedded Review".
Other stories from this publication:
-Taking Advantage of Windows CE with PowerPC Technology
-Getting Real with Windows NT
-Using the PC Architecture in Embedded Applications
-Developing and Differentiating Windows CE Systems
-Enabling the Windows CE Tsunami
-Designing Embedded Software for Debuy and Test
-Windows NT: The Market-Leading Operating System for
Embedded and Real-time Applications
-Single Chip Platforms for Next Generation Windows CE Products
-Hitachi SuperH RISC Engine: The processor of Choice for
Windows CE Handheld PC's.
Interesting reading for anyone trying to see where the
embedded/realtime market is really going.
Cheers,
Dave
"Reality is not optional" |
