Windows Vista-compatible Network Projector and Adaptor Reference Design

Based on Awind’s patented “Plug and Show” technology and STMicroelectronics’ STi7109 with Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Board Support Package, the reference design will facilitate the design and manufacture of high-margin Windows Vista-compatible LCD and DLP Network Projectors and adaptors with reduced time to market.

ST and Awind developed “Wireless Presentation System for Windows Vista” using Microsoft’s Network Projector for Windows Vista functionality provided in Windows Embedded CE 6.0. Working with the new “Connect to a Network Projector” wizard feature in Microsoft’s latest operating system for PCs, Windows Vista™, “Wireless Presentation System for Windows Vista” provides enterprises and consumers with a new way to use and manage projectors.

“The Wireless Presentation System for Windows Vista reference design builds upon Awind’s expertise in remote display technologies, complementing new features in Windows Vista to address an exciting new product category,” said Dr. Kuolong Chang, CEO of Awind Inc. “Awind and ST offer OEMs a flexible solution to bring enterprise and multimedia home projectors to market quickly.”

The jointly developed Wireless Presentation System for Windows Vista supports the following scenarios:

- Mirrored PC display to remote locations over standard IP networks, including Windows Vista Aero interface
- Simple configuration with “Connect to a Network Projector” wizard
- Native operation with Windows Meeting Space in Windows Vista
- Runs PowerPoint with simple animation and still-image display
- Operates using wired or wireless connections
- Provides ad-hoc and infrastructure mode support for 802.11 networks
- Optional support for streaming media functions via Windows Media Player
- Awind Plug and Show technology for pre-Windows Vista Windows operating systems
- Built-in Windows Embedded CE 6.0 IE browser and Windows Media Player

Because the Wireless Presentation System for Windows Vista reference design uses the STi7109, the design provides the following benefits:

- It uses a highly integrated System-on-Chip, enabling High-Definition output for business and consumer applications
- A graphics accelerator operates through GDI and DirectDraw for fast display composition
- Video and audio decoders for VC-1, H.264 and MPEG-2 video decode up to 1080i with low power consumption
- It provides Digital Video Out, VGA, HDMI, or Component outputs, for flexible video output options
- Connectivity options Ethernet, USB, SATA, and IR

“The advanced video and graphics capabilities of the STi7109 are now available to business applications, thanks to ST and Awind’s joint development, together with the Microsoft technologies in Windows Embedded CE 6.0 and Windows Vista,” said Monica de Virgiliis, Home Video Division General Manager of STMicroelectronics. “Together, these capabilities will enable even richer presentation and multimedia capabilities, along with the flexibility of a network projector.”

“This reference design based on the STi7109 targets two high volume markets in Networked Projectors and IP Set Top Boxes,” said Eddie Wu, Managing Director OEM Embedded Devices Asia of Microsoft. “Utilizing the built-in technologies in Windows Embedded CE 6.0 and providing a rich Board Support Package, STMicroelectronics has developed a platform that facilitates device innovation. We are delighted with the rapid progress Awind has made with this design since the launch of our latest embedded OS in November.”

Specialized in wireless IP-based multimedia applications, AWIND outstands itself via broadcasting technologies. AWIND positioned itself as a system integrator / solution provider with strong IC chip, software and manufacturing partners. In total, there are more than 200 R&D people working together to provide total solutions for customers. Broadcast-enabled products have been developed for enterprise and home entertainment uses. AWIND’s R&D team has rich experience in integrating wireless, embedded, and networking technologies. Further information on Awind can be found at www.awindinc.com.