Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET

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Windows CE .NET is highly modular in its design so that footprint size can be customized to meet the specific product requirements of a range of devices. Only those modules required by the nature of the device need be included in the operating system image. An original equipment manufacturers (OEM) can further customize an operating system by selecting from a subset of available components for a particular module.

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Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET 1 Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET Contents Overview 1 Overview of Windows CE .NET 2 Core Operating System Architecture 17 Advanced Features of Windows CE .NET 33 Networking and Communications 34 Real-Time Communication 45 Multimedia Support and Architecture 50 Security Features and Architecture 55 Internationalization 62 Internationalization (continued) 64 Internationalization (continued) 66 Review 69
2 Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET Information in this document, including URL and other Internet Web site references, is subject to change without notice. Unless otherwise noted, the example companies, organizations, products, domain names, e-mail addresses, logos, people, places, and events depicted herein are fictitious, and no association with any real company, organization, product, domain name, e-mail address, logo, person, places or events is intended or should be inferred. Complying with all applicable copyright laws is the responsibility of the user. Without limiting the rights under copyright, no part of this document may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), or for any purpose, without the express written permission of Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft may have patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights covering subject matter in this document. Except as expressly provided in any written license agreement from Microsoft, the furnishing of this document does not give you any license to these patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property.  2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, Windows NT, Visual Studio are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S.A. and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET 3 Overview Overview of Windows CE .NET Core Operating System Architecture Advanced Features of Windows CE .NET Networking and Communications Real-Time Communication Multimedia Support and Architecture Security Features and Architecture Internationalization In this module, you will learn about the design goals that were considered in developing Windows CE .NET and the new features of the operating system. You will also learn about the architecture of Windows CE .NET and its advanced features. After completing this module, you will be able to: Describe the design goals and hardware requirements of Windows CE .NET. Explain the architecture of Windows CE .NET. List the advanced features that are supported by Windows CE .NET. Explain the networking and communication support feature. Describe the real-time communication feature. Describe the multimedia support feature. Explain the real time operating system feature. Describe the support for security feature.
4 Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET Overview of Windows CE .NET Windows CE .NET: Design Goals What is New in Windows CE .NET? Basic Configurations Target Hardware Support This section introduces Windows CE .NET by explaining some of its key design goals and new features. Minimum hardware requirements to install and run Windows CE .NET are also covered.
Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET 5 Windows CE .NET: Design Goals Modular and compact operating system Wireless and wired connectivity Robust real-time capabilities Rich multimedia and multilingual support Strong development tool support There are several design goals that are considered to build Windows CE .NET. Modular and Compact Operating System Windows CE .NET is highly modular in its design so that footprint size can be customized to meet the specific product requirements of a range of devices. Only those modules required by the nature of the device need be included in the operating system image. An original equipment manufacturers (OEM) can further customize an operating system by selecting from a subset of available components for a particular module. Wireless and Wired Connectivity Windows CE .NET allows you to build scalable wireless platforms to flexibly connect mobile devices into existing infrastructures. It provides broad wireless support for PANs, LANs, and WANs, including Bluetooth, 802.11. It allows you to remotely authenticate, authorize, administer, and update new applications and operating system services on your device. Robust Real-Time Capabilities Windows CE .NET offers reliable core operating system services for efficiently enabling the most demanding real-time embedded designs across a breadth of devices. It enables low latency, bounded deterministic system performance with hard RTOS kernel support. It allows you to implement local and network security for the storage and transmission of data. It optimizes device performance, price and power through a wide selection of CPUs. Rich Multimedia and Multilingual Support Windows CE .NET enables you to build smart .NET-based devices and create rich personalized experiences that span devices, PCs, servers, and Web services. It allows you to build designs that provide the latest multimedia experiences, including Windows Media 8 codecs fully optimized for audio and video. It allows you to efficiently build localized embedded devices and
6 Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET applications with out-of-the box multi-language support. You can securely integrate web services into your smart devices, with support for XML 3.0. Strong Development Tool Support Windows CE .NET provides an end-to-end tool set for rapidly building smart designs on the latest hardware with rich applications. You can build and prototype designs, without buying hardware, by utilizing full device emulation within the host workstation. An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) provides the shortest build-debug-deploy cycle using integrated target-host connectivity and a powerful extensibility model. Microsoft Embedded Visual C++ 4.0, a standalone integrated development environment, brings a new level of productivity to Windows CE development, without compromising flexibility, performance, or control. The .NET Compact Framework is a hardware- independent program execution environment for secure downloadable applications that are optimized for resource-constrained computing devices. Along with Visual Studio .NET, it offers a choice of languages, initially Microsoft Visual Basic and Microsoft Visual C#, and eliminates the common problems faced with language interoperability.
Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET 7 What Is New in Windows CE .NET? Internet Explorer 5.5 for CE Wireless support Multimedia Customizable UI Security Services Real-time collaboration and communication Better multi-language support ClearType There are several new features that are added to Windows CE .NET. Internet Explorer 5.5 for CE Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5.5 for Microsoft Windows® CE is a highly compatible, feature-rich browser control for the Windows CE operating system. It encompasses nearly all the functionality of the desktop version of Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5. Web developers, OEMs, independent software vendors (ISVs), and independent hardware vendors (IHVs) can use the technologies provided by Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows CE to build a custom browser for a specific device or market. Wireless Support Windows CE .NET provides a broad range of wireless support for PANs, LANs, and WANs including: 802.1x/Zero configuration Bluetooth MediaSense Multimedia The Windows Media Technologies feature for Windows CE .NET allows you to provide multimedia streaming capabilities to Windows CE devices. This includes support for the various protocols and streaming formats required for audio and video playback of either local files or streamed data over a network connection. Customizable UI For Windows CE .NET and later versions, you can create a customized UI, also known as a skin. Skins allow the OEM to customize the appearance of controls and other UI elements. For example, you can use this feature to customize the
8 Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET system-defined bitmaps displayed on toolbar buttons. The ability to customize the UI allows you to tailor the UI to the limitations or flexibility of your form factor and to differentiate your products by creating a unique appearance for UI elements on your platform. You can customize window controls, common controls, and the non-client area of windows. Security Services Windows CE .NET provides security services for user authentication, credential management, and message protection using a programming interface called Security Support Provider Interface (SSPI). Within SSPI, different security options, such as NTLM Security Support Provider (SSP) and Kerberos SSP, are available. Each security option contains different authentication and cryptographic schemes. Optionally, an OEM can write its own security package and add it to the registry for applications to use. Real-Time Collaboration and Communication Real-time Communications (RTC) enables you to build applications that perform: Text messaging. Voice over IP (VoIP). IP telephony bridging from IP to PSTN telephony. Receiving and sending presence information. Microsoft® Windows® CE .NET provides RTC APIs built on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), an IETF standard. SIP allows a Windows CE device to call, or receive calls from, any SIP client. A SIP client can be a Windows CE .NET device, Windows XP machine, or a third-party SIP user agent. The Windows Messenger application, which ships on Windows CE .NET, supports RTC as a back end. Better Multi-Language Support Similar to Windows CE 3.0, Windows CE .NET is localized in more than a dozen languages and includes the following multi-language support enhancements: Agfa font compression: Windows CE .NET provides support for Agfa AC3 font compression and decompression technology, which reduces the ROM requirement for East Asian font files. Localized Chinese operating system Windows CE .NET provides for a fully localized operating system in Chinese. It also provides application support for simplified and traditional Chinese. Japanese Pocket IME 2.0: The kernel and UI codes have been separated to allow for increased customization. Added features include dictionary compiler, user dictionary, and word registration, multiple dictionary support, new registry settings, and broader support for input methods. Japanese edit control, level 2
Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET 9 Windows CE .NET supports edit control level 2 as a default, which is similar to Microsoft Windows 98 and Microsoft Windows 2000. Level 3 support is also available. Windows CE .NET allows you to modify the default edit control level. Support for the Korean language Windows CE .NET enables applications for the Korean language and supports Korean handwriting input. The Korean IME kernel and UI mode also have been separated to allow for increased customization. ClearType ClearType display technology uses characteristics of LCDs to make electronically produced text seem less jagged and more like printed type on paper, improving the readability of the text.
10 Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET Basic Configurations PDA or mobile handheld device Variants with our without applications, such as WordPad Cell phone/smart phone 160x220 nominal display resolution Web Pad Touch-screen user interface and 640x480 or larger display Internet appliance Browser-based with a fixed (CRT or LCD) display and a keyboard. Media appliance Playback or store music, video, and other electronic media Digital imaging device Camera, projector, and printer Microsoft® Platform Builder provides basic configurations as starting points for the creation of an operating system. The configurations are provided to give you a start with a specific class of device. These configurations are intended to reduce product development time—in combination with a board support package (BSP)—and to decrease the time it takes to put your product on the market. Once a basic configuration has been chosen, you may modify it to suit your specific needs. PDA or Mobile Handheld Device The Mobile Handheld configuration provides a starting point for personal digital assistants (PDAs) and clamshell-and-keyboard styled devices. A mobile handheld is a portable device that gives the user access to a variety of functionality including internet access, an address book, a calendar, and e-mail. PDAs allow users to carry powerful business tools in a small and lightweight device. The PDA or Mobile Handheld configuration allows a wide range of functionality. There are three two variants of the Mobile Handheld configuration that may be selected during the creation of the platform from the New Platform Wizard: PDA / Mobile Handheld PDA / Mobile Handheld variant includes the base operating system, the Standard Windows CE Shell, Microsoft ActiveSync®, and a choice of browsers and other applications. PDA / Mobile Handheld with Applications PDA / Mobile Handheld with Applications variant includes the features in the PDA / Mobile Handheld variant, as well as Inbox, Windows Media Player, and WordPad. Cell Phone/Smart Phone The Cell Phone/Smart Phone configuration is targeted to provide functionality for a Microsoft® Windows® CE-based mobile handset. There is only one
Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET 11 variant of the Cell Phone/Smart Phone configuration. It supplies the foundation for supporting voice data, e-mail, and Web-browsing on such a device. The Cell Phone/Smart Phone configuration provides an environment with rich graphics that supports a 160 x 220 nominal display resolution. The Cell Phone/Smart Phone configuration includes the Standard Windows CE Shell, and may optionally include Pocket Internet Explorer, Inbox client for Pocket Outlook®, and Microsoft ActiveSync® technologies. Web Pad The Web Pad configuration is targeted to provide functionality for portable devices that are primarily intended for accessing the Internet. The Web Pad configuration focuses on providing the necessary support structure for Internet- based applications, including communications and networking features. The Web Pad configuration provides support for a mouse-based user interface (UI) and a stylus-based touch screen and UI. The Web Pad configuration allows a wide range of functionality. There are three variants of the Web Pad configuration that may be selected during the creation of the platform from the New Platform Wizard: Web Pad Web Pad variant provides the basic functionality for a consumer Web pad with touch-screen UI and 640 x 480 or larger display. It includes the Standard Windows CE Shell, Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5.5, Windows Media™ player, and the necessary wireless networking, communications, and mobile-device support features. Web Pad with Applications Web Pad with Applications variant provides the basic functionality for a consumer Web pad with touch-screen UI and 640 x 480 or larger display. It is identical to the Basic Web Pad version, with the addition of Pocket Word, Inbox client companion to Microsoft Outlook®, Microsoft ActiveSync®, and Help for Microsoft Windows® CE. Enterprise Web Pad with Applications Enterprise Web Pad with Applications variant provides the basic functionality for an enterprise Web pad with touch-screen UI and 640 x 480 or larger display. It is similar to the Standard Web Pad version, with the addition of enterprise networking, distributed application development, and Windows thin-client–related technologies for richer integration into the enterprise IT infrastructure. Internet Appliance The Internet Appliance configuration is targeted to provide functionality for non-mobile, browser-based, consumer devices. Allowing a wide range of functionality, there are two variants of the Internet Appliance configuration: one provides Internet appliances with browser support only, and the other offers Internet appliances support for both browsers and applications. The basic Internet Appliance configuration is similar to the Web Pad configuration, but adds greater Extensible Markup Language (XML) support and lacks wireless networking features. As a fixed device, the Internet Appliance supports a mouse and keyboard design with a CRT or LCD display. Additionally, this configuration supports the Standard Windows CE Shell and
12 Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET applications, which may be customized or substituted for a browser-based user interface. There are two variants of the Internet Appliance configuration: Internet Appliance with Browser Internet Appliance with Browser variant provides the basic functionality for a consumer Internet Appliance with mouse-based UI and 640x480 or larger display. It includes the Standard Windows CE Shell, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5, Microsoft Windows Media™ player, the necessary wireless networking, communications, and mobile-device support features. Internet Appliance with Browser and Applications Internet Appliance with Browser and Applications variant provides the basic functionality for a consumer Internet Appliance with touch UI and 640x480 or larger display. It is identical to the browser-only version, with the addition of Pocket Word, Inbox client for Pocket Outlook®, Help for Windows CE, and Microsoft ActiveSync®. Media Appliance The Media Appliance configuration provides the starting point for a wide range of devices for which media delivery is the key feature. Media appliances include electronic book readers, electronic picture frames, audio devices, and media storage devices. The Media Appliance configuration allows a wide range of functionality. There are five variants of the Media Appliance configuration that may be selected during the creation of the platform from the New Platform Wizard: Digital Audio Receiver/Jukebox Digital Audio Receiver/Jukebox is a networked device that stores, decodes, and plays Windows Media Audio and MP3 music files. Digital Media Receiver Digital Media Receiver is a networked device without a local storage that decodes and plays music and video files over a network. Portable Audio Player with Wireless Networking Portable Audio Player with Wireless Networking is a portable device that stores, decodes, and plays music files. Portable DVD Player Portable DVD Player is a portable device that plays back and navigates DVDs. Electronic Picture Frame Electronic Picture Frame is a digital display device that retrieves and displays pictures from the Internet or a home network. Digital Imaging Device The Digital Imaging Device configuration is targeted to provide functionality for digital imaging devices ranging from digital cameras with wireless connectivity, to network printers, and multi-function peripherals. There are three variants of the Digital Imaging Device configuration: Digital Still Camera
Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET 13 Digital Still Camera includes the base operating system, the Standard Windows CE Shell, Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), and optional wireless networking support. Network Printer or Multifunction Peripheral Network Printer or Multifunction Peripheral includes the base operating system, the Standard Windows CE Shell, and networking support. Projector Projector includes the base operating system, the Standard Windows CE Shell, a Web server, storage card support, and networking support.
14 Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET Basic Configurations (continued) Set-top box Connects to a TV for display of Internet / media content Residential gateway Connects to the Internet and shares that connection with a wired or wireless home network Industrial automation device Human Machine Interface (HMI) or Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) variants Retail Point-of-Sale device Self-service kiosks, electronic payment terminals, POS terminals Windows thin client Minimal remote access terminal with constrained shell and RDP Set-Top Box The Set-Top Box (STB) configuration is targeted to provide functionality for devices that are connected to a television for display of Internet and media content. The STB configuration includes the standard Microsoft® Windows® CE shell with a browser-based TV user interface. The TV navigation features are turned on by default in the browser. The STB configuration can include the standard Windows CE-based applications. It includes support for authentication and cryptography services, which provide e-commerce and pay-per-view capabilities. Residential Gateway The Residential Gateway configuration is targeted to provide functionality for a networked device that is preconfigured to share an Internet connection with one or more in-home networks. There is only one variant of the Residential Gateway configuration. It includes support for dial-up networking, WAN/LAN Ethernet or wireless networking, NAT/Firewall, HTTP/FTP servers for configuration, Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), and Internet Connection Sharing with Media Access Control (MAC) Internet Protocol (IP) bridging. Industrial Automation Device The Industrial Automation Device configuration is targeted to provide functionality for industrial automation devices, whether geared toward helping people work with machinery or toward automated processes that need no human intervention. There are two variants of the Industrial Automation Device configuration: Human Machine Interface panel Human Machine Interface (HMI) panel includes the Standard Windows CE Shell, touch-screen user interface, Internet Explorer 5.5, Distributed
Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET 15 Component Object Model (DCOM), Message Queuing, and Microsoft .NET features. Programmable Logic Controller Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is a headless-based device that includes networking, DCOM, and Message Queuing. Retail Point-of-Sale Device The Retail Point-of-Sale Device configuration is targeted to provide functionality for a range of devices, from self-service kiosks and electronic payment terminals, to retail point-of-sale terminals. There are three variants of the Retail Point-of-Sale Device configuration: Retail Point-of-Sale Workstation Retail Point-of-Sale Workstation includes the Standard Windows CE Shell, Internet Explorer 5.5, Windows Media Player, DCOM, Message Queuing, and universal serial bus (USB) support. Electronic Payment Terminal Electronic Payment Terminal includes the Standard Windows CE Shell, Windows Media Player, and universal serial bus (USB) support. Self-Service Kiosk Self-Service Kiosk includes the Standard Windows CE Shell, Internet Explorer 5.5, and Windows Media Player. Windows Thin Client The Windows Thin Client configuration provides the starting point for a remote access terminal. The Windows Thin Client is designed to provide those features that are necessary to support Microsoft Terminal Services Client. This includes a constrained shell and the Microsoft® Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). The Windows Thin Client configuration is originated from the Windows-based Terminal (WBT) sample code found in the Windows-based Terminal Kit (WBTK) version 1.5. This WBT sample source code is incorporated into the Windows Thin Client configuration distributed with Platform Builder. The Windows Thin Client has all of the same SNMP and local browser capabilities as the WBT 1.5, along with the addition of RDP 5.1 and the possibility of including additional Windows CE operating system features. There are two variants of the Windows Thin-Client configuration: Windows Thin Client Windows Thin Client is a minimal version of Microsoft Windows® CE that includes the core operating system and features necessary to support Microsoft Terminal Services Client—including Terminal Services Client's own constrained shell and the RDP. Windows Thin Client with Local Browser Windows Thin Client with Local Browser variant is similar to the Basic/Standard version, with the addition of Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 and the required support features.
16 Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET Basic Configurations (continued) Tiny Kernel Smallest functional Windows CE image Starting point for the most compact, headless devices Custom Device The most fully customizable configuration Allows you to choose from all operating system features Also a variant for devices without displays Tiny Kernel The Tiny Kernel configuration is targeted to provide functionality for the smallest possible Windows CE device. Due to its small size, the Tiny Kernel configuration is designed for devices which do not require display capabilities. The only required catalog features (and sysgen variables) associated with this configuration are: Debug Shell (SYSGEN_SHELL) Control Point API (SYSGEN_UPNP_CTRL) Custom Device The Custom Device configuration is targeted to provide functionality for devices that require a software configuration that can be fully customized. These devices range from simple network devices with no display, to full- featured appliances with graphical displays, Internet browsing capabilities, and rich multimedia playback features. There are two basic variants for custom devices: Custom Device (including shell and GUI) Custom Device (including shell and GUI) allows you to choose from all operating system features, including those that require a graphical display. Custom Device (no display) Custom Device (no display) allows you to choose from all operating system features that do not require a graphical display.
Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET 17 Target Hardware Support Processor Family CPU SDB BSP Name ARM Intel SA1110 Intel SA111x SA11X0BD Assabet SDB ARM920 ARM Integrator ARMINTEGRATOR AP SDB ARM1020 Intel Xscale Intel Lubbock SDB TBD MIPS NEC Vr4122 NEC DDB-Vr4122 EAGLE Eagle SDB NEC Vr5432 NEC DDB-Vrc5476 DDB5476 Boston SDB SHx SH4-7750 Hitachi SH4 ASPEN Aspen SDB SH3-7729 Hitachi SH3 KEYWEST Keywest SDB x86 P5/P4/PIII/PII/ CEPC CEPC CelK6x/Athlon NS Geode National Geode GEODE Reference Platform Windows CE can run on dozens of individual microprocessors (CPUs) within four major architecture families: ARM/StrongARM, MIPS, SHx, and x86. These CPUs are supported in the form of a hardware platform that includes at least a real-time clock and memory. Typically, platforms support other peripherals such as serial connectors, network adapters, keyboard connectors, and parallel connectors. When you have a custom hardware platform, you must port Windows CE to it by creating your own Board Support Package (BSP). During development, however, you can use a Standard Development Board (SDB) for which a BSP is provided out-of-the-box. Supported Processor Families The table in the slide shows the processor families initially supported by Windows CE .NET. Other families may be added later. A processor supported by Windows CE .NET must power the embedded device. A supported processor is a 32-bit processor with a memory management unit (MMU) and translation look-aside buffer (TLB). The MMU is responsible for managing the mapping of virtual memory addresses to physical addresses. The TLB is a small buffer that caches the last used memory addresses to speed up the mapping process. Supported SDBs Several platforms known as SDBs are available and supported out-of-the-box by Platform Builder. The table in the slide shows the boards initially supported by Windows CE .NET, other boards may be added later. Board Support Packages To help users adapt Windows CE, Microsoft provides complete Windows CE BSP for several reference platforms known as SDBs. In the embedded development industry, BSP is a term that refers to the software that implements the device drivers and OEM Adaptation Layer (OAL) for a hardware development platform or a SDB. A BSP can be source files, binary
18 Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET files, or both. A BSP is used to rapidly bring up an embedded operating system on an SDB and quickly evaluate the features of the operating system. A BSP in Windows CE contains an OAL for initializing and customizing the OEM's specific hardware, device drivers for peripherals, and a corresponding set of configuration files. In most cases, you will be able to configure the BSP to select desired peripherals, operating system features, file systems, and memory types by editing a header file or similar construct. Out-of-the-box BSP support is provided for nine commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware reference platforms that cover the full range of supported microprocessors. The generic CEPC platform is also supported. This out-of-the- box support allows OEMs to quickly evaluate their operating system features on their reference hardware and cut down on time to market issues while designing products with Windows CE. The table in the slide displays a sample BSP that is shipped for each of the SDBs.
Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET 19 Core Operating System Architecture Applications Programming Interfaces Communications interfaces (Win32, COM, MFC, ATL) (Winsock, RAS, TAPI) Device GWES Filesys Manager Kernel Networking and Communications System Device Drivers OAL Hardware The five key elements that constitute the Windows CE .NET operating system are: OAL An OEM must write the OAL for any custom hardware. Device Manager The Device Manager process and all the device drivers connect the operating system to the hardware. Device Drivers OEMs must write all or part of the device drivers for custom hardware and peripherals. Kernel The Kernel module is NK.LIB. The kernel module is the bare minimum piece of the operating system that can, along with the OAL, run on hardware. GWES Graphics, Windowing, and Events Subystem (GWES) includes the Graphics Device Interface (GDI) and user interface components. Filesys Filesys module is responsible for the object store, including file systems, registry, and database storage. In addition to discussing each of these five elements, this section will also discuss the nature of Windows CE .NET as a Real-time Operating System (RTOS) with advanced Power Management capabilities.
20 Module 1: Overview of Windows CE .NET The OEM Adaptation Layer Layer between the Kernel and the hardware Set of functions related to system startup, interrupt handling, power management, profiling, timer, and clock Included in BSPs for supported SDBs Coded by OEMs to adapt windows CE to their own custom platforms Linked with code provided by Microsoft to build the Kernel An OAL is the layer between the Windows® CE kernel and the hardware of your target device. This layer facilitates communication between your Windows CE-based operating system and your target device. Windows CE provides OEMs with the following features: Built-in BSP support for several retail hardware SDBs that are integrated into the Platform Builder IDE. Creating your own BSP typically takes three to six months. By taking advantage of the built-in BSP support, this time is largely reduced. Basic infrastructure to develop your own BSPs for your custom hardware or SDB. Sample OAL code for a SDB is included with the BSP. Production quality OAL code for a custom hardware platform is something the OEM is responsible for producing. System Integrators (SIs) with OAL experience can assist with this task.