Книга: Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Exam Preparation Kit

Lesson 4: Testing the Boot Loader

The general task of a boot loader is to load the kernel into memory and then call the OS startup routine after powering up the device. On Windows Embedded CE specifically, the boot loader is part of the BSP and in charge of initializing the core hardware platform, downloading the run-time image, and starting the kernel. Even if you do not plan to ship a boot loader in your final product and directly bootstrap the run-time image, you might find a boot loader helpful during the development cycle. Among other things, a boot loader can help to simplify run-time image deployment complexities. Downloading the run-time image over Ethernet connections, serial cable, DMA, or USB connections from a development computer is a convenience feature that can help to save development time. Based on the source code included with Platform Builder for Windows Embedded CE 6.0, you can also develop a custom boot loader to support new hardware or features. For example, you can use a boot loader to copy the run-time image from RAM into flash memory and eliminate the need for a separate flash memory programmer or Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 1149.1-compliant test access port and boundary-scanning technology. However, debugging and testing a boot loader is a complex undertaking because you are working with code that runs before the kernel loads.

Оглавление книги