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Product category: CompactPCI Boards and Assemblies
News Release from: BVM | Subject: WindowsXPE on CompactPCI hardware
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 08 November 2001

WindowsXPE ported to CompactPCI hardware

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BVM has ported the WindowsXP Embedded operating system to its CompactPCI hardware.

BVM has ported the WindowsXP Embedded operating system to its CompactPCI hardware The cPC200 processor board with ACPI can run the WindowsXPE operating system in a CompactPCI chassis and can be swapped out live by use of the "hibernate" feature activated from the ejector handle switch

Similarly the cPC2PMC PMC module carrier series can also be swapped out of the CompactPCI system including the PMC modules on it, essential for high availability systems keeping downtime to a minimum.

This is achieved using the built-in features of WindowsXPE for generic hot swap hardware conforming to the PICMG R2.0 and 2.1 standards for CompactPCI.

WindowsXPE is a highly componentised operating system where only the features required for specific applications need be included in the target image.

Applications from simple devices without graphics or networking can be encompassed right up to highly sophisticated applications using the enhanced networking features and graphics abilities of the operating system.

The BVM supplied installation disc provides everything necessary to configure a system.

WindowsXPE can operate from CompactFlash memory on the cPC200 and in addition another site is available for removable CompactFlash storage which can be used for applications such as data logging or file transfer.

Standard IDE drives can be used in addition to the CompactFlash modules.

All the PMC modules from BVM are supported including Ultra160 SCSI, RS232/422 octal serial, optically isolated digital I/O and IEEE1394 connections.

Debugging and monitoring the CompactPCI system is greatly eased by use of the unique selection of indicator LEDs on the cPC2PMC carrier range.

These display the status of PCI activity in I/O and memory space as well as hot swap and power status.

The cPC2PMC carrier range includes a versions to the PICMG R2.3 standard for connections and a version for the more commonly used telephony connection mechanism with the H110 bus.

A 64bit 66MHz version is to be released soon and will additionally include support for hidden devices.

WindowsXPE is an embedded version of the standard WindowsXP operating system and uses all of the standard APIs.

Applications can be developed initially using WindowsXP and then targeted at the cPC200 CompactPCI environment using the Target Designer Tool.

The resulting environment is very stable as only the required software components are included in the target build.

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