ARM ICE gains Windows CE support

Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:

Keywords: Match:

May 06, 2008

ARM says its in-circuit emulator (ICE) can now be used from within Microsoft's Visual Studio toolsuite. The feat is possible thanks to a new driver that ARM developed for the RealView ICE with support built in for Microsoft's eXDI (extended debugging interface).

(Click here for a larger view of ARM's RealView ICE)

ARM bundles a "RealView" software debugger with the RealView ICE. However, it says some developers wished to use the tools within the familiarity of Visual Studio. So, ARM developed eXDI drivers to make that possible.

The RealView ICE hardware supports "all ARM processors," including the Cortex A9 released last year, the Cortex A8, and a variety of ARM7-, ARM9-, and ARM11-based processors. The device permits developers to communicate directly with a target ARM processor, "dramatically improving hardware visibility and enabling debug scenarios that would be impossible with just a software-based debug monitor," says ARM.

Features listed by ARM for the RealView ICE include:

Direct code image download over JTAG, with no need for a working Ethernet or USB bootloader
Setting hardware breakpoints within the processor core
Direct viewing and modification of:
- Standard registers r0 to r15
- Program status register
- Co-processor registers (including CP15)
- External memory
Debugging new hardware bring-up and bootloaders before an operating system kernel starts

The RealView eXDI drivers extend the Platform Builder software in Microsoft's Visual Studio
The RealView ICE features USB 1.1 and 2.0 compatible connections, 10/100 Ethernet remote and local host connections. It also supports ARM's CoreSight serial wire debug interfaces. Serial wire debug reduces the number of debug port pins on a device from 5 pins to 2 pins, for severely pin-limited packages and where pin count can be the controlling factor in device costs, ARM notes.

Kim Chau, a silicon vendor partner marketing manager for Microsoft's Windows Embedded business, said, "By leveraging the RealView ICE unit for hardware assisted debug from the Microsoft Visual Studio debug environment, our customers now have an increased level of debug visibility. This is a natural fit that enables our mutual customers to reduce both time-to-market and overall project risk."

ARM's eXDI drivers, enabling Windows CE 5.0 support for the RealView ICE, are freely downloadable now from the company's website, here. Windows CE 6.0 support will be a free download available during the second quarter, the company adds.

Pricing for the RealView ICE was not cited, but the unit is available now.

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

• Bsquare reports income up 57 percent
• ARM-based controller has StackableUSB expansion
• Microsoft unveils Windows Embedded Standard launch plans
• New Palms on horizon?
• Yahoo! aims web services at mobile phones
• Thin, light phone runs Windows Mobile 6.1
• Phone boots either Windows Mobile or Linux
• Precision surveying tool runs Windows CE
• Security software denies rogue apps on XPe
• Panel PCs support PoE, Windows CE
• Barcode scanning PDA has VGA display
• SBC hosts quad-core Xeons
• ARM ICE gains Windows CE support
• Shock resistant automation computer runs Windows
• Major automaker adopts Microsoft Auto

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.