Windows CE is the embedded real-time operating system of Microsoft. It is well known in the world of Handhelds and Operating Panels but it offers much more:
An embedded Operating system with hard real-time performance. Windows CE is being used more and more in embedded control systems and industrial automation devices. It offers a number of distinct advantages: It has a small footprint, is very fast, hardware control interrupts can be accessed easily and it looks and feels like Windows.
CeWin® allows Windows CE to be installed together with Windows XP on the same machine while keeping its full real-time capabilities.

• Hardware and real-time programming on Windows XP(e)/2000 with a Windows look and feel real-time operating system:
  • multitasking, intertask communication
  • Connectivity: TCP/IP
  • (Winsock), COM/DCOM, SOAP
  • HTTP server, ISAPI, ASP, SOAP server, SOAP Client
  • programming languages: C, C++, C #, Visual basic
• Guaranteed response time within microseconds
• High resolution real-time timer, granularity 0.8 microseconds.
• Hardware access to ISA and PCI plug in boards.
• Communication between Windows and Windows CE via TCP/IP (virtual network).
• Usage of DCOM or SOAP as middleware for communication is possible.
• Windows CE keeps running even after Windows Blue Screen
• A great variety of software and drivers for Windows CE are available on the market, e.g. OPC server, drivers for field bus and measurement hardware, and many more.
• Debugging of real-time code by using the well known Microsoft development tools
• Availabiltity of powerful, graphical real-time analysis tools (Kernel Tracker, Profiling)
• Comprehensive documentation (HTML, MSDN, newsgroup)
• Source code of many example drivers available

• Reduce Hardware Costs
  • No need for separate control hardware or intelligent co-processor boards
  • Drastically increases MTBF due to less system components
  • Helps reduce size and weight of the total system
• Reduce Software Costs
  • Fast learning curve, known Windows environment with Win32 API
  • Known development tools (Visual Studio, Embedded Visual C++)
  • Use of only one development suite and programming language for visualization, communication and real-time application
  • Re-use of existing Windows or Windows CE software and knowhow
  • Hardware access possible through existing Windows programs (kernel drivers don’t need to be developed)
  • Not a proprietary real-time extension, therefore remote debug fully supported
• Product Scalability
  • Integration of Windows CE applications into a Windows based environment without additional hardware costs
  • Use of the same Windows CE application in an embedded system, e.g. with XScale architecture

Use Visual Studio for the complete development cycle: Editing, compiling and debugging of your realtime application.
Create your application using wellknown wizards. Develop and test your software alternatively on the same PC or remote. Just start and stop Windows CE after booting Windows by using the Uploader Tool.
Communication between Windows XP and Windows CE via shared memory or TCP/IP over a virtual network connection.

• CeWin® PE (Professional Edition): Support of all Windows CE features
• CeWin® LE (Light Edition): Low Cost entry product with some limitations