Two new Windows CE shared source projects surface

Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:

Keywords: Match:

Jul. 13, 2006

Two new community projects based on Windows CE have set up shop at CodePlex, Microsoft's recently announced online collaborative software development and source code sharing portal. The two projects are: a Windows CE driver for Phidgets, and LSP (layered service provider) samples.

(Click here for larger image of Phidget 4-channel servo)

Windows CE Phidgets driver

This is a driver to allow Windows CE libraries and applications access to USB "Phidgets." According to the Phidgets website, Phidgets are an easy to use set of USB-interfaced building blocks that can be used in conjunction with a PC to implement low-cost sensing and control. Existing Phidgets include motor controllers, RFID readers, and a wide variety of sensors.

Windows Embedded product manager Nic Sagez, a contributor to the Phidgets project, says that the "exciting" thing about this driver is that it's built on existing shared source code, the USB webcam driver. Most applications won't talk directly to the driver but will instead interface to a higher level library such as Phidget20.dll, which provides a C-level API.

Sagez suggests that this new shared source project may be of particular interest to participants in the ongoing Windows CE Shared Source Contest, which makes use of the shared source USB driver. Additionally, "Phidgets may be of interest to hobbyists and academics working in robotics, who will be able to use Windows CE with these USB sensors and controllers," Sagez adds.

In addition to the driver itself, the current Alpha release includes:

Brief instructions for building and installing the driver
Phidget20 library compiled for Windows CE
Two example projects
Installers for x86 and ARM9

The driver and libraries have been tested on the x86-based ICOP eBox, and on the ARM-based LN2410SBC SBC (single-board computer) from Littlechips. The project's CodePlex home is here.

LSP samples

This project grew out of the inadequacy of the LSP (layered service provider) samples in both Windows CE 4.2 and 5.0, according to project coordinator Igor Dvorkin. According to Microsoft, a layered protocol cannot stand alone, and implements only higher-level communications functions while relying on an underlying transport stack for the actual exchange of data with a remote endpoint. A provider chain comprises one or more layered protocols strung together, and anchored by a base protocol, such as TCP, which is fully capable of performing data communications with a remote endpoint.

The shared source LSP samples project's current goal is to develop a second generation of lsphelper, a library on which LSPs can be built, according to Dvorkin. The longer term goal is to have all LSPs for both Windows CE and Windows Mobile built using a common library. The LSP project's CodePlex home is here.

Related stories:

(Click here for further information)

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.

Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.

Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.

Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.

Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.

Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.

Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.

Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.

Got a HOT tip? please tell us!

Click here for a profile of each sponsor:

PLATINUM SPONSORS
<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=msembedded;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=msembedded;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=trolltech;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=trolltech;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>

(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

HOT TOPICS • 2006 Windows Embedded retrospective
• Windows CE 6 Arrives
• Shared source contest winners
• Ultra Mobile PCs
• Spotlight on SPOT
• Embedding Windows is 4X cheaper than Linux
• CE "core" reduced to $3

...in our 2007
Windows Embedded Market Survey

Check out the latest Windows-powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets

REFERENCE GUIDES
• Windows Device Showcase
• Intro to Windows Embedded
• Intro to Shared Source
• Real-time Windows Embedded
• Windows Embedded books

BREAKING NEWS

• Windows XP leaps onto OLPC laptop
• "1-Watt" x86 processor powers pico-ITX board
• Webcast covers Windows Mobile development
• "Software-only" GPS supports WIndows
• Atom-based ECX board runs Windows
• $7 SoC runs Windows CE
• April XPe chat transcript available
• Little thin client runs Windows CE or XP Embedded
• Microsoft releases VS 2008, NET Framework 3.5 betas
• E-reader boasts 6-inch EPD display, Windows CE
• Thin clients bulk up on software
• Microsoft warns of Windows CE 5.0 security hole
• New COM design claims extra robustness
• Windows Mobile 6.1 phone has sportscar styling
• SDIO controller supports multiple memory cards

Join our Windows Embedded discussion forums:
• Windows XP Embedded
• Windows CE
• Windows Mobile

Windows Embedded developer newsgroups
• Windows CE
• XP Embedded
• PocketPC
• Smartphone

Microsoft's Windows Embedded resources
• Embedded dev center
• Mobile dev center
• Windows CE tutorials
• XP Embedded tutorials
• Windows Embedded seminars
• Windows Embedded application categories
• 3rd-party partners

Also visit our sister sites:

Sign up for WindowsForDevices.com's...

news feed

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Windows is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and is used by WindowsForDevices under license from owner. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. WindowsForDevices is an independent publication not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.