Windows 10 IoT Core Brings Microsoft OS to Small Connected Devices

Windows 10 on a Raspberry Pi 3?

(Image courtesy of Windows.)

(Image courtesy of Windows.)

Shortly after the Raspberry Pi Foundation announced the release of the Raspberry Pi 3, Windows’ director of program management Billy Anders released a blog explaining how Windows 10 will support the platform. The compatibility will be made possible using an update of the Windows 10 IoT Core.

The affordable and open nature of Raspberry Pi has made it popular amongst engineers, makers and inventors. Though the board may not be the final one you choose, it is a great option when designing your proof of concept Internet of Things (IoT) device. Additionally, the board is a great way to get kids interested in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and IoT.

With Windows 10 IoT Core, inventive engineers will be able to connect their IoT designs online. In fact, these devices don’t even need to have a screen to be able to run Windows. So much for WYSIWYG.

Using Windows’ Raspberry Pi board support package (BSP), engineers will be able to tailor their IoT device software to support their design criteria. Engineers can then connect to Microsoft’s Azure IoT Suite to control various devices as well as process the big data collected by these little devices.

Once the IoT device is connected to the Internet with Windows IoT Core, it will include Windows’:

  • Security and servicing
  • Automatic updates
  • Application program interface (API)

For a demonstration of the IoT Core on a Raspberry Pi, watch this video:

Windows’ support of Raspberry Pi isn’t new. In fact, the partnership goes so tightly that users will be able to buy a Raspberry Pi 3 from the Microsoft Store online. Additionally, customers can receive IoT Core as part of the Raspberry Pi customization service.

Anders also boasts that the new release offers more compatibility between the mini computer and the IoT Core and an easier connection to the Internet. Other compatibility improvements to IoT Core include:

  • Connections to Raspberry Pi’s Wi-Fi dongle
  • Connections to other common Wi-Fi dongles
  • Support for transmitter/receiver (TX/RX) dongle for access to universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART)

Have you used Windows IoT Core on a Raspberry Pi to design your IoT device? If so let us know about it below. 

Written by

Shawn Wasserman

For over 10 years, Shawn Wasserman has informed, inspired and engaged the engineering community through online content. As a senior writer at WTWH media, he produces branded content to help engineers streamline their operations via new tools, technologies and software. While a senior editor at Engineering.com, Shawn wrote stories about CAE, simulation, PLM, CAD, IoT, AI and more. During his time as the blog manager at Ansys, Shawn produced content featuring stories, tips, tricks and interesting use cases for CAE technologies. Shawn holds a master’s degree in Bioengineering from the University of Guelph and an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo.