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Microsoft Corporation
January 2001
Summary:This white paper outlines the capabilities of Microsoft Windows CE version 3.0. (7 printed pages)
Introduction
Microsoft Windows CE is an open, scalable, 32-bit operating
system that is designed to meet the needs of a broad range of
intelligent devices, from enterprise tools such as industrial
controllers, communications hubs, and point-of-sale terminals to
consumer products such as cameras, telephones, and home
entertainment devices. A typical Windows CE-based embedded system
targets a specific use, runs disconnected from other computers, and
requires an operating system that has a small footprint and a
built-in deterministic response to interrupts. Windows CE 3.0 offers improved Windows compatibility, combined
with hard real-time processing support. New kernel services, such
as support for nested interrupts, better thread response,
additional task priorities, and semaphores, let the operating
system respond immediately to events and interrupts. These
real-time features make Windows CE 3.0 ideally suited for
industrial applications such as robotics, test and measurement
devices, and programmable logic controllers. With greater storage and file-handling capabilities,
interprocess communications, and networking support, Windows CE 3.0
interoperates easily with desktop environments that are based on
Microsoft Windows NT and Microsoft Windows 2000, which makes it the
optimal choice for an enterprise system that combines small mobile
systems with high-performance desktops servers and
workstations. Windows CE 3.0 consists of a set of discrete modules and
submodules, or components, each of which provides full or partial
support for major features of the operating system. By selecting a
minimum set of modules and components, a device manufacturer can
design an operating system tailored to requirements of a particular
device. By controlling the size ("footprint") of the operating
system, OEMs can design for speed and efficiency, while still
providing the performance of 32-bit, preemptive multitasking,
multithreaded system and the richest possible set of APIs for
developing applications. Application developers will appreciate Windows CE 3.0's support
for Microsoft ActiveX controls, message queuing (MSMQ), Component
Object Model (COM) interfaces, Active Template Library (ATL), and
the Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) Library. ActiveSync provides
easy connectivity between the desktop and the embedded device,
whether by serial connection, infrared port, or network cable.
There is built-in support for multimedia, including Microsoft
DirectX, communications (TCP/IP, SNMP, TAPI, and more), and
security. A variety of integrated applications, including Pocket
Internet Explorer, Pocket Outlook, and Pocket Word expose objects
that allow you to extend and customize the existing system, as well
as extend the functionality of your own application. Real-time-support enhancements to Windows CE include the
following:
Kernel enhancements to Windows CE 3.0 include the following:
New driver and hardware support for Windows CE 3.0 includes the
following:
Enhanced USB support
Enhanced display-driver support
Windows CE 3.0 supports larger data storage systems, and larger
files within those systems.
Security enhancements to Windows CE include the following:
Communications enhancements to Windows CE include the following:
Shell services enhancements to Windows CE include the following:
The Microsoft Windows CE Handheld PC (H/PC) Professional Edition
shell includes the following applications:
A new browser control that is compatible with IE 4 for the
desktop, but optimized for Windows CE, supports
Windows CE is Unicode-based and includes international support
for many locales, allowing you to create products that are
appropriate for specific markets. Essential localization support is
included for OEMs who want to create localized versions of the
operating system. Windows CE provides full localization support, including binary
resource (.res) and configuration files, automatically for these
locales: Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean,
Portuguese (Brazilian), Spanish, and Swedish. A new Japanese handwriting input method editor (IME)
application, along with the source code for the input method, is
included in the SDK. For more information on Windows CE modules and components, see
Understanding Modularity in Microsoft
Windows CE 2.1in the MSDN Library. For more information on Windows CE real-time systems, see
Real-Time Systems with Microsoft Windows
CE 2.1in the MSDN Library. For more information on public key signatures see the Public-Key
Infrastructure pages on the Internet Engineering Task Force Web
site at http://www.ietf.org.
Windows CE 3.0 Features
Real-Time Support
Kernel Services
Driver and Hardware Support
Object Store
Security
Communications
Interprocess Communication
Services
Shell Services
International Support
For More Information
Introduction
Windows CE 3.0 Features
Real-Time Support
Kernel Services
Driver and Hardware Support
Object Store
Security
Communications
Interprocess Communication
Services
Shell Services
International Support
For More Information