Nematron HyperKernelฎ 5.60 Evaluation Version The contents of this directory may be used to install HyperKernel and its various optional components. ===================================================================== Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. What is HyperKernel? 3. What applications could use HyperKernel? 4. System requirements 5. Installation 6. Technical support 7. Evaluation terms 8. Purchasing HyperKernel 9. About Nematron ===================================================================== 1. Introduction Until now, developers of true deterministic real-time operating system (RTOS) applications have been constrained by the limited resources available for their proprietary RTOS environments. Essential tools, software, and support are typically scarce, adding to the cost of development and delaying time-to-market. Windows NT/2000, on the other hand, is the industry-standard operating system and application development environment, but it lacks the critical RTOS tools and capabilities that deterministic real-time applications need. Introducing HyperKernel for Microsoft Windows NT/2000. HyperKernel allows developers to leverage the benefits of the rich Windows development environment, with thousands of off-the- shelf resources, to create deterministic real-time applications in less time and at lower cost. 2. What is HyperKernel? HyperKernel is a set of extensions and APIs for Windows NT/2000 which provides real-time operating system capabilities and application development tools. HyperKernel features: • Preemptive and round-robin scheduling • Priority-based scheduling (32 priority levels) • Deterministic processing of external asynchronous events • Multitasking to process multiple external events • Fast inter-thread communications • Dynamic starting/stopping of application threads • Concurrent execution with standard Windows NT/2000 applications • Direct access to hardware (Windows NT/2000 DDK not required) • Shared memory interface to Windows NT/2000 applications • Signals for thread synchronization • Interrupt management services • Use of standard Microsoft development tools • Fast, accurate timers HyperKernel is a self-contained execution environment; HyperKernel threads run within a HyperKernel environment and are not subject to scheduling delays in Windows NT/2000. In fact, the Windows NT/2000 scheduler is totally unaware of HyperKernel threads. HyperKernel has its own scheduler, its own set of services, and its own internal kernel. 3. What applications can use HyperKernel? HyperKernel can be used in many applications, including: • Networking/telecommunications • Office automation/computer peripherals • Industrial automation • Transportation control systems • Medical instrumentation • Test & measurement instruments • Consumer electronics 4. System requirements To use HyperKernel 5.60, you must have: • a uniprocessor AT-compatible system running the EISA/ISA HAL • a Pentium 133 MHz or faster processor • 64 MB RAM installed • 15 MB free hard disk space • a parallel port (for Runtime License dongle) • Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4 or later *OR* Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 or 3 NOTE: Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 1, Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows Me (all), and Windows XP (all) are not supported in this version of HyperKernel. • Microsoft Visual Studio 4.2 or later, for application development 5. Installation To install HyperKernel: 1) Unzip the file "HK56DEMO.zip" onto your desktop. 1) In the folder "Install HyperKernel", locate and double-click SETUP.EXE. 2) Follow the instructions onscreen. When you are prompted for an installation type, choose "Development" and click Next to continue. 3) When you are prompted for the installation password, enter "kurt8090" and click Next to continue. 4) Finish the installation and review the Release Notes (included in the Documentation folder). 5) After the installation finishes, the HyperKernel Configuration Wizard will automatically launch. The Configuration Wizard helps you to set up your computer to support HyperKernel. Follow the instructions onscreen. If you need to make any changes to your configuration, you can rerun the Configuration Wizard at any time. NOTE: You must have a good technical understanding of your system settings to use the HyperKernel Configuration Wizard. See Chapter 5 of the HyperKernel Reference Manual for more information. 6) After the HyperKernel Configuration Wizard finishes, you must restart your computer for the changes to take effect. What's installed (Development Package + Runtime License): • HyperKernel Runtime Manager (hkRTM.exe) • HyperKernel Trace (hkTrace.exe) • hardware drivers • library and include files • sample code • test programs • online help files (in Win32 HLP format) • HyperKernel Reference Manual (in Adobe PDF format) To uninstall HyperKernel at any time, choose "HyperKernel 5.60" from the "Add/Remove Programs" control panel. 6. Technical support This free evaluation version of HyperKernel is distributed as is and does not include any direct technical support by phone or email. If you have any questions, please refer to the online help files or the HyperKernel Reference Manual, or visit our customer support Web site . 7. Evaluation terms This free evaluation version of HyperKernel includes a single, limited-time Evaluation License. Under this License, the HyperKernel Runtime Manager (RTM) will automatically quit after thirty (30) minutes of continuous use, after which you must restart the RTM to resume running your compiled applications. This restriction makes this evaluation version impractical for use in a production environment. The Development Package files are installed as DLLs and as such can be used without restriction. However, if you decide to purchase the full version of HyperKernel for use in a production environment, then you must purchase at least one Development License. 8. Purchasing HyperKernel If you would like to purchase HyperKernel, please call 1-800-NEMATRON between 8am and 5pm EST (1pm and 10pm GMT). The HyperKernel Development Package includes: • a Nematron Software 5.60 CD • a printed copy of the HyperKernel Reference Manual • one HyperKernel Development License • 30 days of free technical support HyperKernel Runtime License dongles are sold separately. Extended support contracts and application engineering services are also available. 9. About Nematron Nematron has been setting the standard for industrial automation products since it was founded in 1983. Nematron developed the world's first operator interface panel, allowing users to attach to PLCs from a variety of manufacturers. Since then, Nematron has the first 8086 class industrial computer, the first Pentium-based industrial computer, the first real-time Windows NT-based control software, and the first digital flat-panel monitor for industrial applications. Nematron is still leading the way with the only complete and proven PC-based control solution in the industry. Nematron designs and produces all the products that make up this solution, including: • High quality industrial computer hardware with patented features that simplify maintenance and reduce downtime • Real-time Windows NT extensions that provide deterministic performance with no modifications to the NT hardware abstraction layer (HAL) • Intuitive and powerful logic control software with innovative features designed to significantly reduce programming and debugging efforts • Powerful and flexible HMI and SCADA software with a true distributed architecture, graphical process builder, and all the tools you need to easily connect your plant floor with the rest of the enterprise • Field-proven engineering and project management services, with engineers experienced in implementing large-scale, global automation projects Our customers include leading manufacturers in nearly every industry including automotive, packaging, semiconductor, food, material handling, chemical, petroleum, and pharmaceutical. For additional information, please call us or visit or Web site. ===================================================================== Copyright ฉ 2001-2004 Nematron Corporation World Headquarters 5840 Interface Drive Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 Tel: +1.734.214.2000 Fax: +1.734.994.8074 European Headquarters 1 The Briars Waterberry Drive Waterlooville P07 7YH Hampshire, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 23.9226.8080 Fax: +44 (0) 23.9226.8081 Web: www.nematron.com