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Windows 10 IoT (before Windows Embedded)

Product
The name of the base system (platform): Microsoft Windows
Developers: Microsoft
Last Release Date: 2019/03
Technology: OS

Content

Windows 10 IoT (before Windows Embedded) is a family built in operating systems for application in specialized devices.

Today in the world millions of devices are controlled these systems, starting with consumer robots and multimedia devices and finishing industrial controllers of real time and medical devices.

Scope

Sales points (POS)

  • Self-service terminals
  • ATM
  • Refueling terminal
  • Cash registers
  • Data collection terminals
  • Advertizing monitors

Navigation devices and monitoring systems

  • Automobile navigator
  • System of tracking transport
  • Personal systems of navigation

Thin and terminal solutions

  • Classical terminal solutions
  • Thin clients with applications launch locally
  • Specialized terminal solutions
  • Remote monitors

Industrial automatic equipment

  • Industrial controller of real time
  • Controller of data collection
  • Management systems
  • Dispechersky workstations

Security systems and video surveillances

  • Video recorder
  • IP camera
  • System of scanning of baggage
  • Systems of biometric scanning

Multimedia and television

  • Set-top box
  • HD/SD receiver
  • Media center
  • Home server

2019: Start of sales of server Windows Server IoT 2019 OS

In March, 2019 the corporation Microsoft began sales server operating system Windows IoT of Server 2019.

The main innovations are:

Windows Server IoT 2019 in six editions is available:

For the first time, the versions which are not requiring client licenses of client licenses are available to editions Standard and Datacenter (Client Access License, CAL). It is important what by default, on each device connected to the server is required to CAL.

2018: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 1809

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 1809 is based on Windows 10 Pro of version 1809 with the additional opportunities developed for solving of tasks of the large and average organizations (including in large educational institutions), for example:

  • The improved protection against modern security risks
  • Complete flexibility of deployment of OS
  • Options of updating and support
  • Ample opportunities of device management and applications and managements of them

2017: Licensing on CPU

On April 20, 2017 it became known of intention Microsoft to complete licensing Windows 10 IoT of Enterprise on the basis of a scope in July, 2017.

The choice of licenses from three options will be available to OEM manufacturing: Entry, Value and High End, depending on processor model.

If the license is purchased as the device, then they will be valid further. Producers can ship devices with these licenses.

Purchases of the licenses Windows 10 IoT Enterprise should be planned on the basis of licenses on processors.

Licenses which will become unavailable after August, 2017:

Article Complete name of the license
42C-00168 Win 10 IOT Ent 2015 LTSB EMB MultiLang ESD OEI EPKEA
42C-00167 Win 10 IOT Ent 2015 LTSB EMB PUP ESD OEI Upgrade EPKEA
5JV-01158 Win 10 IOT Ent 2015 LTSB EMB PUP ESD OEI Upgrade Retail or Thn Clt EPKEA
5JV-01161 Win 10 IOT Ent 2015 LTSB EMB MultiLang ESD OEI Retail or Thn Clt EPKEA
5JV-01160 Win 10 IOT Ent 2015 LTSB EMB PUP ESD OEI Upgrade Tablets EPKEA
5JV-01163 Win 10 IOT Ent 2015 LTSB EMB MultiLang ESD OEI Tablets EPKEA
5JV-01159 Win 10 IOT Ent 2015 LTSB EMB PUP ESD OEI Upgrade Small Tablets EPKEA
5JV-01162 Win 10 IOT Ent 2015 LTSB EMB MultiLang ESD OEI Small Tablets EPKEA

Other licenses for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2015 and 2016 are valid.

If licenses were purchased on processors, the purchased licenses are valid, and others can be purchased having selected from three options: Entry, Value, High End. All changes will concern only purchases since August, 2017.

2016: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016

At the end of July, 2016 it became known of availability to the order at distributors since August 1, 2016 of the updated release of the Embedded-version of Windows 10, under the name of Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016.

This release embedded-option of release Windows 10 of "Anniversary Update" (build version 1607) known under the code[1].

In addition to the technical improvements similar to the "desktop" version and concerning generally security and connection to Azure cloud, the version received other pricing policy.

  • Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 Long-Term Service Branch (LTSB) is the second LTSB release of Windows 10 IoT including several new technical updates and opportunities.
  • Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 Current Branch for Business (CBB) – relying on wishes of producers and partners, Microsoft released the CBB version of Windows 10 IoT Enterprise. This version provides such functionality of Cortana, Windows Store and the Edge browser (these functions are absent in the LTSB version), doing it similar to desktop option for those scenarios where these functions are necessary.

Updating from the previous version of Windows 10 of IoT Enterprise 2015 LTSB to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB or Windows 10 IoT Enterprise CBB will be free by means of a position of Windows 10 of IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB of $0 Royalty Upgrade. For earlier installed previous versions of Windows Embedded, including POSReady updating paid.

Due to the extending range of devices, in release of Anniversary Update, Microsoft leaves from gradation of Retail, Thin Client, Tablet, representing the new business model based on device capacity.

As a result there are about three versions of each IoT Enterprise 2016 Windows 10 OS, depending on the processor used in the device:

  • Entry SKU - Intel: Atom, AMD: E1, E2, A4, A6, G-Series (estimated cost is $40)
  • Value SKU - Intel: Pentium/Celeron/Core i3/Core i5/Core M, AMD: R-Series, A10, A8, Rest of FX Models (estimated cost is $85)
  • High End SKU - Intel: Core i7, Xeon, AMD: FX 7500, 9370, 9590, 7600P) (estimated cost is $135)

All versions are submitted by the uniform English distribution kit containing 32-and 64-bit versions, separate Language Interface Packs (LIPs) for 72 languages.

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise combines in itself a number of properties:

  • Low cost
  • Full compatibility with the desktop version and applications
  • Maximum functionality and security
  • The plan of updates of LTSB (a possibility of shutdown of functional updates on all service life of the device)
  • Opportunity for work without activation, etc.

2015: Renaming into Windows 10 IoT

On April 29, 2015 on an action of Build 2015 Microsoft announced a new name for Windows Embedded of generation 10 - Windows 10 IoT (from "Internet of Things"Internet of Things)[2].

The name Embedded will not be present at new editions. It reflects the new concept of development both Embedded-products, and Windows platforms in general – orientation on the maximum number of platforms and devices of a different form factor, including all types of specialized devices and components of Internet of Things. Use of Windows 10, according to statements of Microsoft, gives the mass of advantages first of all to developers, considering universality of application development and drivers. For example, the Universal App application once developed for Win10 using the Visual Studio will work on all devices - a desktop, the tablet, the mobile phone, the terminal, IoT-devices, irrespective of architecture of the processor (ARM or x86). Also, the built-in opportunities for the protected connection of devices to a cloud and new opportunities for embedding are announced.

Officially provided editions Windows 10 IoT:

  • Windows 10 IoT for Industry Devices (System requirements: 1GB RAM, 16 Gb Storage, x86/x64), support of Desktop Shell, Win32 apps, Universal Apps, Universal Drivers. Actually, is continuation of a line of Windows Embedded Industry, has the ready configured image and potential on embedding, such as Lockdown, write-filters, blocking of notifications, etc. Is suitable for the majority of devices.

  • Windows 10 IoT for Mobile Devices. System Requirements: 512MB of RAM, 4 Gb Storage, ARM), support of Modern Shell, Mobile Apps, Universal Apps, Universal Drivers is the new product line for compact mobile devices having embedding potential, compactness, smaller system requirements and support of architecture of ARM (only the automated workplace!).

  • Windows 10 IoT Core. System Requirements: 256MB of RAM, 2 Gb Storage, ARM or x86/x64), without cover (i.e. the application will be a cover). Does not support a desktop-application of Microsoft, but supports Universal Apps, Universal Drivers. This is "successor" of Compact 7 Core. This version will be free.

2014: Updating of Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry

On August 12, 2014 the Microsoft company provided updating for Windows Embedded 8.1 as a part of which improvement of security and performance.

Updating to version 8.1 is intended to expand configurability of the operating system to its installation on the target device, including a possibility of the choice of the Unified Write Filter, Keyboard Filter, USB Filter and Gesture Filter components for providing a consecutive configuration of the device. Windows Embedded 8.1 also supports new API Windows 8.1, including instructions and tools for work with readers of magnetic tapes and scanners of barcodes.

Several new features and improvements:

  • Improvements of accuracy of the touchpad – are added three new settings for end users:
    • Operation of the touchpad when the mouse is connected;
    • the Possibility of the right click on the touchpad;
    • and dragging the Possibility of double clicking.

2013

Windows Embedded 8 Industry

Windows Embedded 8 Industry in versions of Pro and Pro Retail became available since April, 2013 to the enterprises and equipment manufacturers. The third version of this system – Enterprise – will begin to be delivered since July 1, 2013.

Windows Embedded 8 Industry is a successor of the product Windows POSReady 7 for retail. However Microsoft positions new OS a little differently – now it is intended not only for producers of mobile POS terminals. All three versions of Windows Embedded 8 Industry are aimed at the different industries.

In particular, Windows Embedded 8 Industry Pro is intended for solutions in the field of retail and service (booths, POS-y, the vending machine, advertizing panels, etc.), medicine (automated workplaces, diagnostics, terminals) and industrial automation (a management system, control, monitoring, etc.).

The version of Industry Pro Retail is aimed at the devices used in retail trade, for example, POS terminals, information booths, scanners. The version of Enterprise will have the specific functions developed for integration into Windows 8 Enterprise. The AppLocker function which interferes with the software installation by final users can be an example.

"Windows Embedded 8 Industry is a new product in a line of so-called "vertical" products to which, also, Windows Embedded POSReady belongs. The main difference from POSReady – Windows 8 kernel. From here – support of the applications and devices developed for this platform and all new opportunities of Windows 8, - Valery Drobyshevsky, the commercial director explains Quarta Technologies. - As in Windows Embedded line all versions remain are available to the order within 15 years, the product line is not updated, and complemented with a new product. Thus, in a line "ready", not requiring development process, versions there are 3 products now: POSReady 2009 (Windows XP kernel), POSReady 7 (Windows 7 kernel) and Industry (Windows 8 kernel)".

The version of Windows Embedded Compact 2013 (for portable scanners, GPS navigators, a digital photoframework) will become available in the 2nd quarter 2013 and the same as all other Windows Embedded 8, will support work with the Visual Studio of 2012. Windows Embedded 8 Handheld (for smartphones) will probably be submitted by the producer in January, 2014.

In January, 2013 at an exhibition of National federation of retailers in New York Microsoft and her OEM partner using the Windows Embedded system showed the new products in this sphere. In the same place Microsoft announced release for operating system the Windows Embedded 8 industrial companies. Now Microsoft has 5 partner companies which integrated around Windows Embedded 8 Handheld OS: Motorola Solutions, Intermec, Honeywell, Ingenico and Bluebird.

Windows Embedded 8

Microsoft began deliveries of the first versions of Windows Embedded 8 OS since March 20, 2013. Two versions of OS – Standard and Pro – are already available to downloading. Data of OS are held for use on specialized devices, such as cash registers, automobile computers and information terminals. Windows Embedded 8 is completely based on program the Windows 8 code therefore all innovations of this operating system are available also in its component version.

The top manager of division of Windows Embedded in Microsoft Kevin Dallas claims that operating systems from a line of Windows Embedded 8 help specialized devices to join reliably infrastructure of the enterprise and to perform not only the paramount functions, but also other tasks of work in corporate networks. Devices from Windows Embedded 8 installed on them can communicate with products for automation of business and support not only the latest technologies, but also already outdate standards. It is necessary in order that devices from new OS could join already existing infrastructure of the enterprises, without requiring under itself any significant changes.

2007: Earlier versions of Windows Embedded

Complex automation on the Windows platform of Embedded

Problems of automation, from the industry before trade, often come down to creation of one or several devices performing collecting, processing, storage, data transmission and user interaction or the operator within specific technical restrictions (conditions of a working environment, the energy consumption volume, physical dimensions, reliability and security, additional industry requirements, etc.). The choice of OS for automation – a multicriteria task at which solution developers should consider both technical, and economic factors. Key technical characteristics of specialized OS are metrics of its performance and reliability on target tasks, existence of mechanisms of hard real time, support of hardware platforms and peripheral devices, a set of regular components, technologies and development tools and also existence of API familiar to programmers and software allowing to use ready with a minimum of processings. The key economic indicator – the cost of a system lifecycle which influence the cost of development tools, licensing terms, availability of OS and development tools in the long term.[3]

Unfortunately, the universal built-in OS suitable under all requirements does not exist. For this reason producers of intelligent devices often use several OS in different projects. If these OS are developed by different producers, then between them essential distinctions – from technical to license are probable that sharply raises expenses of projects because of need to have in staff with the necessary qualifications and also to transfer practices from one OS to another or to create cross-platform software (if it is technically feasible and does not break performance criterions). The built-in OS are more similar among themselves, the it is simpler to optimize work of a project team and to reduce development cycles of different devices. The technology platform allowing to create a broad spectrum of automation systems with the most different requirements is developed by Microsoft company with 15 years' experience in the field of the built-in systems. This platform is called Windows Embedded and consists of the OS set, "desktop" versions of Windows combining opportunities with special architecture and technologies for specialized devices.

Devices of automation can be separated into three categories: interface, managing and information.

The interface devices display characteristics of the managed processes and accept commands from the operator. Usually it is possible to install the "desktop" version of Windows in such devices, however it unfairly overestimates requirements to a hardware platform (and, therefore, and its cost) and provides fault tolerance of the device at the level of the normal PC at significantly higher risks. More rational solution consists in use of OS of the Windows Embedded Standard family in which today there are two key OS – Windows Embedded Standard 2009 (on the basis of Windows XP Professional SP3) and Windows Embedded Standard 7 (on the basis of Windows 7 SP1). The component architecture and regular development tools of images of software allow the developer to include in the device only necessary functions from a distribution kit that increases fault tolerance of the device and several times reduces the size of an image Windows Embedded Standard in comparison with "desktop" analogs (the typical size of an image of WES 2009 is 100-300 MB, and WES of 7 - 1-3 Gbytes). The set of specialized tools for embedding (Embedded Enabling Features) also is a part of Windows Embedded Standard OS:

  • Enhanced Write Filter (EWF) is the filter postponing data writing for drives it is transparent for applications. With its help it is possible to cancel results of undesirable write operations, to prolong service life of drives for a flash memory, to load OS from the drives which are not supporting record and also to quickly recover a system status from the file of hibernation;
  • File-Based Write Filter is the filter postponing data writing at the file system level (with a possibility of configuring of end-to-end or delayed write for files and directories);
  • Registry Filter is the filter of write operations in the system registry;
  • support of loading about USB- and a flash drives, and for Windows Embedded Standard 2009 also on network (by means of the PXE loader) and with CD ROM.

Service operating environment of Windows PE using which it is possible to prepare the device for installation of an image is also free of charge available to the Windows Embedded Standard operating systems, to clone and replicate one image on a set of devices and to solve other service problems.

Regular opportunities of Windows Embedded Standard support technologies for creation of the developed user interfaces (Silverlight, Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer, and in Windows Embedded Standard 7 also of multitouch, recognition of gestures and the Windows Aero interface), means of communication (the RDP protocol of the version up to 7.0 in WES 2009 and the most full-function version 7.1 in WES 7, support of the Active Directory, group the politician and IPv6 protocol), management tools configurations and updates of the system software and applications (System Center Configuration Manager, System Center Operations Manager and Windows Server Update Services).

Traditional scope of application for Windows Embedded Standard OS – devices on processors with architecture of x86/x64 with the standard periphery and the several hundred MB with an admissible size of image or several Gbyte. Various points of service, video recorders, the systems of data visualization, thin clients, etc. belong to such devices. The latest solution on Windows Embedded Standard 7 OS – the interactive booth for the bank industry developed by Quarta Technologies company (fig. 1). This booth allows the client of bank not only to get acquainted independently with products and services, but also to consult with employees of the bank by means of audio-and video conference. The block of the analysis of demand of products and services allows bank to manage their sale on the basis of numerical indicators, and the block of quality control of work with clients – to provide the necessary service level. The booth is equipped with the developed user interface on the basis of multi-touch technology, Kinect will be supported in the near future. The booth allows bank to organize easily a point of presence in any public place or department and provides the developed information opportunities to both the client, and bank. Windows Embedded Standard 7 OS is selected as a technology platform for the booth thanks to existence in it of required communication technologies and development tools of the developed user interfaces which provide effective implementation and application of the booth in bank infrastructure.

Fig. 1. The interactive bank booth running Windows Embedded Standard 7

Control devices contain the decision making module, give signals on the block of interface to a managed object and also obtain information on a status of an object and/or the external environment via the measuring block. A key problem of a control device – timely to react to external events, to process them and to generate commands of impact on an object. Emergence of the inexpensive built-in processors allowed to create the multi-function printers of management integrated from SCADA systems and supporting different industry protocols of communication. On industrial ARM, MIPS processors and x86 (including multinuclear) with special requirements for compactness of an image, energy saving and support of hard real time the Microsoft company developed the Windows Embedded CE/Compact OS family for devices. Now Windows Embedded CE 6.0 and Windows Embedded Compact 7 OS are most distributed in this family. Their architecture and API differ from "desktop" Windows (the scheduler with a multitasking support with replacement on the basis of priorities, the principles of creation of drivers and methods of their interaction with applications, etc.), however basic system API is similar to Win32, and some subsystems of CE/Compact (for example, the system registry and management of a window interface) are very close to the analogs in "desktop" OS. Besides, functions of work with processes, flows and synchronization of mezhzadachny interaction have common features with the POSIX standard, to well familiar UNIX-SYSTEMS specialists. Thus, developers, irrespective of the previous working experience, will be able to use the available knowledge for fast mastering of Windows Embedded CE.

The Windows Embedded CE/Compact distribution kit consists of components which the developer can turn on in an image of the device as necessary. Delivery of Windows Embeddded CE also includes packets of hardware support (Board Support Packages, BSP) at least on one for each maintained processor architecture and also the essential volume of the source code (according to assessment of Microsoft company, for Windows Embedded Compact 7 it makes 45% of all OS code, including 100% of the source code of a core, 75% of API and CRT, 75% of the code of key system services and drivers and also examples of drivers and BSP). The source code allows to rebuild the OS, BSP components and drivers for implementation of specific requirements to the device (for example, creation of own loader or expansion of the OS regular functions) and also significantly facilitates writing, completion, debugging and the analysis of the system software.

The regular Windows Embedded CE/Compact components provide broad functionality, including applications (ActiveSync, browsers of documents, etc.), support of different file systems (FAT, TFAT, exFAT, CD/DVD, file systems in OZU, file systems of the developer, filters for implementation of access control, anti-virus scanning, enciphering and data compression), support communication protocols (TCP/IP, IPSec, application layer protocols, wireless and cellular communication, etc.), development tools of user interfaces (Silverlight and Internet Explorer in the versions optimized for the built-in systems, an instrumental set of Windows Embedded Silverlight Tools, support of multitouch and recognition of gestures).

Development tools for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 and Compact 7 represent the module Platform Builder connected to Visual Studio environment 2005 and 2008 respectively (it is delivered together with Platform Builder) that provides to developers a familiar and user-friendly interface for writing and debugging of software. Platform Builder contains tool kit for development of images of devices and interaction with direct systems (debugging, start of programs, collecting of events in the remote mode, viewing and modification of files, the system registry, etc.).

Potential of Windows Embedded CE/Compact as the platform for multi-function printers with the guaranteed and fast reaction is fully implemented by Beckhoff company in its line of systems and devices for industrial automation. One of the latest developments in this line - the system of detection of templates of printing on the basis of Windows Embedded Compact 7 (fig. 2). In modern printing machines the feed speed of paper is more than 10 m/s, at the same time the size of the printed pixel in permission of 200 dpi should be less than 0.1 mm. In such conditions the management system for printing is faced by a task to manage more than 100,000 points per second. To define on paper of a position for printing of different flowers, it is required to recognize special templates of printing, at the same time recognition of a template and printing should happen for very limited period in several microseconds. Observation of templates is implemented using a stroboscope which creates images of quickly rotating printing wheel using bright light flashes with high frequency.

Fig. 2. The system of detection of templates of printing running Windows Embedded Compact 7

The system of detection of templates of printing is based on the solution Beckhoff under the name XFC (eXtreme Fast Control, superfast management) based on the panel computer with the Intel processor Core Duo of 2.0 GHz, the RAM with a capacity of 2 GB and Windows Embedded Compact 7 OS. Support of multi-core processors in Compact 7 allows to carry out critical tasks on time on one core of the CPU while the graphical user interface on the basis of Silverlight for Embedded technology works at the second core. The user interface does not influence real time, and control of the printing machine with the period of 100 microsec does not create problems in interaction of a system with the user (for example, by blocking of the user interface). The Silverlight for Embedded technology allows to use rich visual opportunities of Silverlight for drawing of the interface, and a program part gives the chance to implement on the "native" Windows Embedded code, using architectural advantages of OS.

Information devices solve problems of processing, data storage and ensuring access to them, including for the interface devices. If the advanced opportunities on reliability of storage and data protection, integration with corporate information systems are necessary for the information device, then it can be implemented on server products of Microsoft company. For development of the built-in systems on the basis of server OS in a line of Windows Embedded there are analogs of almost all server OS of general purpose. Technically these analogs are identical, distinctions consist only in licensing terms and lower the cost of the built-in server products. The developer of the built-in system declares its functional purpose and not can display a system out of its limits, for example, on the SCADA system database server it is impossible to start service of the publication of the website as it is not required for ensuring functioning of SCADA. Similar requirements are applied also to other Windows Embedded OS that emphasizes their key appointment – creation of specialized devices.

The base of success of developer company in the dynamic modern market of automation systems – a short development cycle of devices with the minimum costs. This base can be created using the technology base providing the maximum effect of use of the existing practices and skills of specialists. The Windows platform of Embedded represents the OS set with different characteristics and scopes of application, but the general basis in the form of the developed technologies of "desktop" versions of Windows. For risk minimization, technologies connected with availability in the long term, the Microsoft company provides to producers of intelligent devices a 15-year guarantee of availability of all Windows Embedded OS. Windows Embedded technologies can be used in all classes of devices of automation: for the interface devices the richest opportunities are given by Windows Embedded Standard OS, for control devices - Windows Embedded CE/Compact, and for storage systems and data processing – Windows Embedded Server. The complex approach to solving of tasks of development of specialized devices implemented by Microsoft for more than 15 years opens an opportunity in a complex to build development processes of devices in the long term before producers of automation systems, gaining the maximum effect both of advanced technologies of Microsoft, and of own practices.

Notes