Two years after the launch of Windows CE 5.0, Microsoft has released version 6 of its realtime operating system. By naming it Windows Embedded CE 6.0, Microsoft is distinguishing this version from the familiar mobile version of the operating system. This new embedded operating system version is now available for the Beckhoff Embedded PCs and Panel PCs. In addition to fundamental technical innovation it is also claimed to boost performance by up to 30%.
Thanks to common code, almost all functions of Beckhoff TwinCAT automation systems based on an IPC under Windows XP or Vista are also available on an ARM-based DIN rail PC, although with reduced performance.
The new kernel and driver architecture of Windows CE 6.0 offers up to 30% higher performance compared with Windows CE 5.0. For example, a realtime application created in C++ can access the I/O API of the automation software TwinCAT in a 100 μs cycle under Windows CE and take full advantage of the performance of advanced CPUs using EtherCAT.
The new operating system also enables jitter values to be optimised. The maximum jitter for a 1 GHz Intel Celeron M processor in the CX1020 Embedded PC from Beckhoff is 8 μs.
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