Up until now, only the smallest version of the Windows 10 product family (Windows 10 IoT Core) was available for Arm processors, which require less power and resources than x86 systems. This enabled manufacturers of IoT applications and devices to launch an app of the Universal Windows Platform (UWM app) in the foreground, but not a Windows shell with extended lock mode functions – i.e., operation like a conventional Windows environment. As a result, some application scenarios were left out.

In May 2022, Microsoft has added Arm processors to the list of supported processors for the first time with the first NXP processors. This now allows manufacturers who use Windows-based software to take advantage of the benefits of the Arm architecture when developing embedded systems. These include significantly lower power consumption, which, for example, allows handheld and other battery-powered devices longer battery run times or utilize smaller batteries. These systems also offer lower heat generation.

Thanks to years of close cooperation between SECO (until the end of 2021 as Keith & Koep) and Microsoft, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise was tested in a beta phase on COMs from SECO and corresponding Board Support Packages (BSPs) were developed. This enables SECO to deliver Arm processor development kits running Windows 10 IoT Enterprise immediately. The close cooperation with Microsoft has existed since the introduction of Windows CE and expanded through the period of Windows Compact 7 and 2013. Throughout Europe, SECO is one of the Microsoft partners with the greatest experience and the most successfully realised projects. New Trizeps and Myon CPU modules are already available with Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Core. At the same time, SECO is one of the few companies worldwide to offer Windows 10 IoT Core support. With this experience, the company is well prepared for upcoming Windows 10 IoT Enterprise projects.

In addition to the SODIMM-200 form-factor CPU module Trizeps VIII Mini (NXP i.MX 8M Mini) and, in future, the Trizeps VIII Plus (NXP i.MX 8M Plus), the i-PAN T7 II is offered as a development kit with a matching 7.0-inch touch panel HMI.

Thanks to its extensive portfolio, SECO can offer its customers an exceptional range of low cost/low power Arm to high-end x86 solutions and now even scale this across platforms with Windows operating systems.

Experience Windows 10 IoT on Arm architecture at embedded world 2022 from June 21 to 23 in Nuremberg, Germany. Visit SECO in booth 1-320 and discover our wide range of solutions for edge computing, Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs), remote device management, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.