eVM for Windows embedded virtualization platform provides a bare metal virtual machine environment that hosts an embedded or real-time operating system alongside Windows on the same multi-core processor platform. eVM partitions the platform to ensure that critical hardware interfaces aren’t virtualized, guaranteeing maximum performance and deterministic response to real-time events.

Unlike para-virtualization schemes, eVM for Windows does not require that any software modifications be made to guest operating systems, drivers, or application code. This avoids costly and risky modifications or rewrites, minimizes support costs and reduces the risk of system reliability problems. Software services supplied by eVM for Windows run in hard real-time, allowing the guest OS to retain its native execution characteristics. In addition there is no virtualization of Windows and additional hardware virtualization detracting from performance or functionality.
Besides hosting multiple OSes on a single multi-core platform, eVM for Windows provides virtual communications channels in shared memory to link your embedded and Windows applications. The PC platform’s traditional Ethernet interfaces are now virtualized, giving immediate links between your Windows and guest RTOS applications without requiring any changes to applications or native driver software. This simplifies the task of adding Windows functionality to legacy real-time applications, or adding real-time device interfaces to Windows applications.
eVM for Windows is as easy to install as a standard Windows application. Your system can be integrated and running in a matter of minutes. All of the necessary installation/integration tools are included. With the Windows-based eVM control panel, assigning interrupts, allocation of I/O devices, and the setting up of disk boot images is a simple task. You can set up multiple RTOS guest configurations and easily start and stop a RTOS guest from this screen. The RTOS guest console connects to the Windows side of your system through the use of virtual COM ports. The interactive eVM Device Manager controls the passing of resources, including real-time interfaces, from Windows to the RTOS.
After the system is set up, eVM provides your guest RTOS with the lowest possible interrupt latency, direct and high-speed access to I/O, non-paged RAM, and guaranteed ownership of a CPU core. In most cases your RTOS runs exactly the same way as it would on a separate legacy platform. There is no need to modify drivers or change code in order to make this work.
“Announcing the End of the Two-Box Solution for Embedded, Real-Time Applications.” Read this case study to learn more about how eVM for Windows is used to cost reduce Command Alkon’s system costs and extend their real-time software’s life.
eVM for Windows has been tested with a wide range of guest operating systems including QNX®, VxWorks®, Linux®, Windows CE and T-Kernel (iTRON).