Advantech AIMB-242, User Manual

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AIMB-242 User Manual 96
4.1 Introduction
The mission of Advantech Embedded Software Services is to "Enhance quality of life
with Advantech platforms and Microsoft® Windows® embedded technology." We
enable Windows® Embedded software products on Advantech platforms to more
effectively support the embedded computing community. Customers are freed from
the hassle of dealing with multiple vendors (hardware suppliers, system integrators,
embedded OS distributors) for projects. Our goal is to make Windows® Embedded
Software solutions easily and widely available to the embedded computing commu-
nity.
4.2 Value-Added Software Services
Software API: An interface that defines the ways by which an application program
may request services from libraries and/or operating systems. Provides not only the
underlying drivers required but also a rich set of user-friendly, intelligent and inte-
grated interfaces, which speeds development, enhances security and offers add-on
value for Advantech platforms. It plays the role of catalyst between developer and
solution, and makes Advantech embedded platforms easier and simpler to adopt and
operate with customer applications.
4.2.1 Software API
4.2.1.1 Control
GPIO
General Purpose Input/Output is a flexible parallel interface
that allows a variety of custom connections. It allows users to
monitor the level of signal input or set the output status to
switch on/off the device. Our API also provides Programma-
ble GPIO, which allows developers to dynamically set the
GPIO input or output status.
SMBus
SMBus is the System Management Bus defined by Intel Cor-
poration in 1995. It is used in personal computers and serv-
ers for low-speed system management communications. The
SMBus API allows a developer to interface a embedded sys-
tem environment and transfer serial messages using the
SMBus protocols, allowing multiple simultaneous device con-
trol.