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This newsletter contains archived content. No warranty is made as to technical accuracy of content or currency of URLs.
Innovating through Simulation: Device Simulation Framework Preview
The Device Simulation Framework (DSF) enables you to create a high-fidelity simulation of hardware in software, which then appears like a real device to Windows.
A preview of DSF is provided in the current Windows Driver Kit (WDK) with a kit of USB simulations, including a USB 2.0 controller, a hub, and some working samples with complete source code. The source code for sample simulations is installed with the WDK samples under the \src\Test\DSF folder. You can build the samples with the WDK build environment. DSF Version 1.0 is planned for the WDK release that is expected in the first quarter of 2008.
Because the simulation created with DSF does not require any special changes to Windows, you can use the simulation on all versions of Windows that DSF supports. This means that you can create hardware and driver simulations for x86 and x64 versions of Windows Vista, Windows XP Service Pack 2, and all future versions of Windows.
If you are responsible for developing a USB device or for developing a driver for a USB device, you can take advantage of DSF-based simulations to significantly increase your productivity--for example, you can try innovative ideas for changing your hardware or improve the quality of device drivers for your company's existing hardware through even more extensive and flexible test automation. If your USB device uses system-supplied class drivers, you can still use DSF to simulate the various USB and device class protocol sequences that your device implements and write a test application to interact with it.
To get started, see the Device Simulation Framework Developer's Guide in the WDK.
New for Windows Hardware and Driver Developers
If you're involved in manufacturing USB devices, you might be seeking ways for applications to access your device's features. In the past, this has meant using the Windows Driver Model (WDM) to implement a function driver for the device and then installing the driver in the device stack above system-supplied protocol drivers. The Windows Driver Foundation (WDF) is now the preferred model for USB drivers. WDF offers three options for providing access to a USB device:
- Implementing a user-mode driver by using the WDF user-mode driver framework (UMDF).
- Implementing a kernel-mode driver by using the WDF kernel-mode driver framework (KMDF).
- Installing WinUsb.sys as the device's function driver and providing an application that accesses the device by using the WinUSB API directly from User Mode.
A new paper on the WHDC Web site provides guidance on which option to use and details for implementing the WinUSB solution for Windows. The paper introduces WinUSB and provides details about installing WinUsb.sys and using the WinUSB API.
Our new FAQ on the WHDC Web site provides answers to a range of common questions about how Windows--particularly Windows Vista--supports Bluetooth wireless technology. The FAQ looks at general Windows support, Bluetooth host radio support, the Windows user interface for Bluetooth applications and devices, and Windows Logo Program requirements for Bluetooth wireless technology.
Windows Logo Program Tools and News
Partners have already been rewarded for their work deploying and innovating on the platform. Now is your final chance to be rewarded with once-in-a-lifetime adventures and worldwide recognition for your company. Nominate yourself at windowsvistaodyssey.com.
Companies can now promote their Certified for Windows Vista and Works with Windows Vista products through Microsoft's partnership with the CNET Channel to syndicate and promote logo'd products to the e-tail industry. To enable your company to take advantage of this opportunity, update your product submissions with Manufacturer Part Numbers in the Windows Quality Online Services submission tool. Step-by-step instructions are provided in this download document on the WHDC Web site.
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