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- Nicolas

WEC 7 : Build Solution performing a Buid & Sysgen

Using the CTP version of Windows Embedded Compact 7 available from the Microsoft Connect website (http://connect.microsoft.com), you will face a unexpected behavior of the development environment.

When building a solution using the Build menu, you will launch a Build and Sysgen (blddemo.bat) command instead of a Sysgen (blddemo -q) as it was the case in the previous version. This Build and Sysgen action is rebuilding the complete content of the $(_WINCEROOT)\Public folder, that is usually useful when you are making modification into this folder. In the case of the build of a runtime image, this step is not required and is increasing the build time.
As this action is not required, it is useful to avoid the execution of a such action. This can be done by modifying the blddemo.bat file located in $(_WINCEROOT)\PUBLIC\COMMON\OAK\MISC and adding in the first lines :

If "%1"=="" goto :EOF

- Nicolas

Make Image and the "Out of buffer space" error

An error that you could face on is the "Out of buffer space" error occuring during the Windows CE makeimage step.

.....
CeNlsCmp: JamoSort Compose: 1120
CeNlsCmp: Default Lang Except uppercase: 52
CeNlsCmp: Default Lang Except lowercase: 32
CeNlsCmp: 0 Lang Except tables: 0
Total data: 96714
CeNlsCmp: Done. Success parsing locale file
makeimg: FATAL ERROR: Out of buffer space.
makeimg: FATAL ERROR: Out of buffer space.

BLDDEMO: EVM_3530 build complete.
.....

It just happens to me this morning, while buiding a RunTime image for a project, and even looking into the log and error files, no specific details should explain the reason why.
By looking more in details I found that the path to my reldir folder was longer than the previous projects I work on. So I moved my OSDesign to a different folder with a shorter path length. And it fix this issue.

So the make image process is waiting for a path that could not exceed a path length. In this case reduce this path length by renaming with shorter names the folder containing your OSDesign (if this one isn't located inside _WINCEROOT\OSDesigns folder)

- Nicolas

.NET Micro Framework 4.0 for Blackfin BF518F FMC

Avnet just released a new development kit based on Analog Devices BF518F that incorporates a .NET MicroFramework 4.0 port developed by Adeneo Embedded.
Adeneo Embedded, which is engaged in .NET MicroFramework development since 2006 was selected by Analog Devices and Avnet for the development of the reference port, but also as a long term partner for supporting OEMs willing to use this development kit to jumpstart the design of their embedded device based on .NET Micro Framework.
With more than 10 years of experience in development with Microsoft Embedded technologies, Adeneo Embedded is one of the Worldwide leading System Integrator helping OEMs securing their design with Windows Embedded, Windows Mobile or .NET Micro Framework technologies. With this new strategic long term partnership with Analog Devices and Avnet, and as one of the first company worldwide providing to the market a .NET Micro Framework 4.0 port.

For more information about the Avnet BF518F FMC dev.kit, please check Avnet dedicated page, or look at the following video.

For support or help with the development of .NET MicroFramework based product, please contact our sales team: sales@adeneo-embedded.com

-Nicolas

CERegEditor : an alternative to Remote Registry Editor

Found a great atlternative to the Remote Registry Editor, without the requirement of the installation of a Visual Studio Smart Device component. Useful for non developper's guys...
One of my favorite feature is the registry comparison, between two snapshots.
Check out this cool application here.
- Nicolas

Is Windows CE 6.0 R2 real time ?

Who says that Windows CE 6.0 R2 is not realtime operating system!! For those who are suspicious about this fact, please have a look to this article. And check this video.

<br/><a href="http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?vid=b50f33e5-c08a-42a1-b2ad-e634de801c7c" target="_new" title="Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Real-Time Beckhoff Demo">Video: Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Real-Time Beckhoff Demo</a>

- Nicolas

MCP Certification for Windows Embedded Standard

Microsoft launch last week the MCP Certification for Windows Embedded Standard 2009 (next version of Windows XP Embedded).

The main topic areas are:

• Windows security
• Componentization
• The role of packages, groups, and repository sets
• Application-level development on Windows XP and Windows XP Embedded
• Deployment options and methodologies
• Embedded enabling features (EEFs)
• Working at the hardware level
• Database Manager

As usual for the Embedded MCP Exam, a preparation kit is available :

• Free Preparation Kit (200 page study guide) – available starting mid-March in English, other languages through June
• Languages: English, French, German, Japanese, Simplified Chinese

- Nicolas

TOP 25 Most Dangerous Programming Errors

The NSA post this week the list of the Top most dangerous programming errors, from the SQL request to the encrypted data.....
Don't forget ... There are only 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary, and those who don't.

Check this out here.

- Nicolas

Req : Using Windows CE Test Kit for Unit Testing

I would like to write a post about unit testing and the Windows CETK. To go deeply in this suject I would like to know your background experience with this tool or if you are using other tools for unit testing of your applications under Windows Embedded CE or Windows Mobile.

You can submit all your testimonials to nbesson.blog@gmail.com

Thanks for your help.

- Nicolas

Exam Preparation Kit in foreign languages available for download

The Exam Preparation Kit book (link) for the Microsoft Certification for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 is available for download in the following languages:

• English
• French
• German
• Simplified Chinese
  

Other languages will be soon available for download.

- Nicolas

Adeneo delivers Windows Embedded CE training course with FREE development kits

Adeneo announced the planning for the next training session in the USA.

• Seattle, WA – Sept 22nd to 26th 2008
• Dallas, TX – Nov 17th to 21st 2008
  
• Los Angeles, CA - Feb 16th to 20th 2009
  
• Boston, MA - Apr 13th to 17th 2009
  
• Denver, CO - Jun 8th to 12th 2009
  
• Seattle, WA - Sept 21st to 25th 2009
  
• Dallas, TX - Nov 16th to 20th 2009

Content: Microsoft official Windows Embedded CE 6.0 training with labs done on ARM based development kit
Cost per attendee: $2,500
Included in price:

• 5 days of instructor led training on Windows Embedded CE 6.0. The training is delivered by one of our Senior Windows Embedded Developers who has the highest level of technical expertise on Windows Embedded CE - Training materials (printed manuals and a CD with all training manuals and files needed to complete the different labs)
  
• Complete ARM based development kit which attendees can keep after the training session ($975 value)

Registration and information: Please contact contact.msembedded@adeneocorp.com
- Nicolas

Windows CE 6.0 MCTS Exam - Companion CD

I'm receiving lots of email asking me about the Windows CE 6.0 MCTS companion CD that illustrate the different labs of the MCTS exam book. Microsoft had to delayed the delivery of the CD as we get more work to do for the translation in the 6 different languages of the book.
This translation is nearly done and the release of those books will be grouped to the access to the companion CD.

- Nicolas

Registry Modifications Notifications

The Windows CE registry is a good place to store applications, users settings. Those information are shared between the different processes running on the system, so content can be modified from every where.

One concrete exemple, is the backlight control panel applet that allows user to change the different timeout for switching off the screen when user inactivity is detected.So when user make changes using this applet, registry content is modified to reflect the changes. At this time, if a backlight driver exist for the platform, this driver have to update his internal timers according to the new values.

You can imagine the same mecanism between your applications and a driver, two drivers or two applications. In this case, you have to be notified when modification are done in this registry. Use the CeFindFirstRegChange,CeFindNextRegChange, CeRegGetNotificationInfo, CeRegTestSetValueWand and CeFindCloseRegChange functions for this.

- Nicolas

Hardware runnning Windows CE ?

From the Microsoft website you can find the referenced hardwares running Windows CE.

Have a look to this list here.
- Nicolas

Search Engine for Windows CE

Looking for a Windows CE API definition, but want to get only the one for this specific OS... try the Live Search engine for Windows Embedded CE 6.0.

Go there.

[Note] Thanks to Pierre for this link.
- Nicolas

Microsoft North America Awards 2008

Microsoft announced during the TechEd in Orlando, FL the list of the Windows Embedded Partner Excellence Awards for North and South America.

Awards were listed by Microsoft as follows:

• Distributor -- Bsquare, "for continuing to raise the bar on providing Microsoft customers with world-class professional services and logistics capabilities for connected devices"

• Independent Hardware Vendor -- Phytec, "for driving adoption of Windows Embedded CE by providing single board computers and board support packages"

• Portable Navigation Device Partner -- Intrinsyc, "for the impact it has had with its strategic OEM design engagements"

• Silicon Vendor -- RMI, "for its innovative work in providing highly integrated system-on-chip modules"

• Systems Integrator -- Bsquare, "for its leadership role in providing a broad range of engineering services for Windows Embedded CE and Windows XP Embedded"

• Training Partner -- Adeneo, "for its leadership in providing a variety of innovative training deliverables"

• WEPOS (Windows Embedded for Point of Service) OEM -- NCR, "for its commitment to leading how the world connects, interacts, and transacts"

• WEPOS partner -- Odyssey Software, "for delivering innovative device management solutions to key strategic retail customers"

• Windows Embedded CE OEM -- Magellan, "for its commitment to creating devices"

• Windows XP Embedded OEM -- HP, "for its continued leadership in the thin-client space"

- Nicolas

Who want to be an MCP II

As discussed in a previous post, Microsoft launches a certification program for Windows Embedded CE 6.0. This MCP Exam is officially launched and to be ready to pass the exam, Microsoft provides a FREE Training Kit that review all the subjects covered by the test. The Training Kit is a FREE 6 Chapters electronic book available for download. For now only Chapter 1 and 3 are ready for download but others will follow in the next days.

• Chapter 01: Customizing the Operating System Design


• Chapter 02: Building and Deploying the Runtime Image


• Chapter 03: Performing System Programming


• Chapter 04: Debugging and Testing the System


• Chapter 05: Customizing a Board Support Package


• Chapter 06: Developing Device Drivers

The authors, Nicolas Besson, Ray Marcilla and Rajesh Kakde have a deep experience in the development of BSP, drivers and runtime images, and provide tips to improve your skill before passing this exam.

If you are not a English native reader, this book will be translated in 5 additional languages in the next weeks and will be also accessible for download for FREE.

I hope that you will enjoy reading this book as much as I had writing it.

For the exam details and download follow the link .

- Nicolas

ESC Silicon Valley (San Jose, CA)

The Embedded System Conference (ESC) runs this week at San Jose, and Kevin Dallas general manager of the Windows Embedded Business at Microsoft, helped by Nick McCarty from Adeneo, did a very cool presentation of Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 to a large audience.

Mike Hall, who appreciates this monkey demo, talks about it on his blog.

- Nicolas

MVP Global Summit 2008

All the worldwide MVPs (Most Valuable Professional) met this week at the Microsoft Headquarter for a yearly information and feedback discussion. Most of the information provided during this week are under NDA and cannot be shared with you but the thing that I can say is that the next version of Windows CE, the version 7.0 will have a lot of new cool features for the graphical interface development, connectivity, … And the name of Windows CE 7.0 will be 'Windows Embedded Compact 2009' according to the new marketing naming scheme for the Microsoft Embedded operating systems.

This 4 days event has been closed by Steve Ballmer, who as usual, did his show and received few gift from the Canadian MVPs and an US MVP (the Simpson tie).

- Nicolas

Power Management under Windows CE [part 3/3]

Applications can also interact with the power manager to change the current power state of the system or to be notified on power state transitions.

Application System Interaction

Using the Power Manager, applications can request system power state using the SetSystemPowerState. This is true for the system but applications can also interact with drivers. Imagine that a device driver is powered off after being used, this for power consumption reason, when applications requires an access to this driver, the driver must be turned on again. Using SetPowerRequirement, applications can ask drivers through the Power Manager, to switch to a specific power state. Then using ReleasePowerRequirement, the power requirement will be release and the driver will switch back to his original power state.

Request power notification

Using message queue, applications can be notified of power transition occurring on the system. When system is entering suspend, this is transparent for applications, and the only way for applications to be notified of resuming from suspend is to register to this message queue using the RequestPowerNotification function. The messages read from the message queue provide information on the status of the system.

Modify the Power Manager

The source code of the power manager is provided with Windows Embedded CE and can be located in %_WINCEROOT% \PUBLIC\COMMON\OAK\DRIVERS\PM . This gives you a chance to adapt the behavior of the Power Manager to your requirements. Most of the time, you do not have to make any modification in the code; instead use the registry to change the default behavior.

In conclusion the power management is straightforward for Windows Embedded CE when the power requirement of your device is simple, but can start to be tricky when more complicated. In any case, the system can be fully customized through the registry or for advanced usage by modifying the behavior of the Power Manager by directly modifying the source code. Applications can be notified of power transition and act if required, but it can also interact with the system to change the power state of drivers or the system. On their side device drivers can implement power management to support 5 different levels, and optimize the power consumption of your device. The Power Manager is the only one on the system to manage the power, applications and drivers always have to send request to the Power Manager that will relay the requests to the correct system component according to his internal state machine.

-Nicolas