ARM said it has developed Extended Debugging Interface (eXDI) drivers for its RealView ICE tool to enable enhanced hardware-assisted debug for Microsoft’s Visual Studio software development tool. The eXDI drivers enable Windows Embedded CE operating system developers to gain full visibility and control of the ARM processor-based hardware.

"Our customers now have an increased level of debug visibility," said Kim Chau, silicon vendor partner marketing manager, Windows Embedded Business, Microsoft Corp. "Coupling ARM's expertise on silicon, tools and technologies with Microsoft's Windows Embedded CE enables our mutual customers to reduce both time-to-market and overall project risk."

The RealView ICE unit connects to the Microsoft Visual Studio IDE through the eXDI adaptation layer and a GUI extension is provided enabling access to additional debug functions and the ARM processor features. The combination of the RealView ICE unit with the Microsoft software development tools enables the Windows Embedded CE operating system to be downloaded and brought up over an industry -standard JTAG connection prior to any functional Ethernet or serial communication port implementation. The ability to control the processor core directly during the hardware bring-up enables debug to commence even before the kernel starts.

"Customers wanted the in-depth visibility of the ARM processor combined with the familiarity of the Microsoft development tools for the Windows Embedded CE operating system to enable fast time-to-market for highly-differentiated products," said Mark Onions, director of marketing, system design division, ARM.