SDIO Now! V2 FAQ
Q: Why should I purchase your SDIO DDK if Microsoft gives it away for free? A: Device makers, semiconductor vendors and peripheral card manufacturers building devices based on the current generation of Windows Mobile (2003 Second Edition) must have our DDK in order to deliver support SDIO. For customers creating devices or peripherals targeting the next generation of Windows Mobile (code named Magneto) SDIO Now! v2 provides significant advantages over the Microsoft CE5 offering (based on BSQR SDIO v1.1 technology). Q. What are some of the benefits SDIO Now! v2 provides over CE5? A: The v2 DDK provides compelling improvements addressing the feature requests and needs of Ozone/Ozone Update device makers and peripheral vendors. This release also lays a solid foundation for those building or targeting CE 5.0 and the next generation of Windows Mobile devices (code named Magneto). Some of the primary advantages v2 offers our customers over the Microsoft CE5 offering include: SPEED o Up to 2x performance increase over our previous release and what is in CE5. Most requested enhancement from customers SDIO 1.1 o Card and Host vendors will be able to support the new SDIO 1.1 specification. Microsoft is not likely to support the SDA’s SDIO 1.1 specification until after Magneto is released. EARLY ACCESS o The Unified Bus driver delivered in v2 enables the Windows Mobile device maker to adopt v2 architecture knowing that the same Bus driver will be in Magneto BULVERDE SUPPORT o To take advantage of v2’s performance features, the device maker needs the v2 DDK to adapt their Host Controller driver software. Our Loop Optimized PXA27x reference incorporates Fast Path and Soft Block, delivering the performance demanded by customers. SOFT BLOCK o Peripheral vendors will be able to simplify their driver development by making use of Soft Block. By using our Soft Block technology, the v2 driver writer can make use of performance enhancing SDIO Multi-Block transfers using a simple API call.
Q: If Microsoft is delivering the v2 Bus driver with Magneto, why do I need your DDK? A: Although the Unified Bus Driver in Magneto and the v2 DDK are the same, it only provides the base foundation for taking advantage of v2 features. Host Controller and Peripheral drivers must be adapted to use capabilities such as Fast Block. The v2 DDK provides Early Access to the Magneto Bus Driver simplifying your driver development effort, reducing time to market with comprehensively tested reference implementations.
BSQUARE CONFIDENTIAL FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY 1
SDIO Now! V2 FAQ
(continued) Q: Will BSQUARE continue to deliver new SDIO functionality and technologies? A: Yes. SDIO Now! version 2.0 lays the foundation for delivering future SDIO solutions. There are many gaps in the Microsoft (and current BSQUARE) offering. Areas of value that BSQUARE is targeting include; SD v1.1, miniSDIO, SD's security, eCommerce solutions, and MMC v4. Q: Will customers continue to pay runtime royalties to BSQUARE? A: Yes. OEMs & ODMs shipping SDIO Now! system software will continue to pay runtime royalties to BSQUARE. It is anticipated that SDIO Now! v2 runtime royalties on Magneto devices will be priced lower than as the Bus Driver .
Q: What do I get in the SDIO Now! v2 Source Edition that is different from what Microsoft provides for CE 5? A: The SDIO Now! v2 DDK includes source code to a number of features including: Bus Driver Error Recovery Engine SDIO 1.1 specification support Fast Path and Soft Block support SD Bus driver control Host Controllers Loop optimized PXA27x Reference drivers for CE 4.2 and CE 5 featuring Fast Path and Soft Block Loop optimized Standard Host Controller driver for CE 4.2 and CE 5 featuring Fast Path and Soft Block Error Recovery Engine Enabled Peripheral Drivers Soft Block Sample Code Upgraded Client Driver samples SD Card Association SDIO v1.1 specification enabled Q: If I already have a current SDIO Maintenance & Support Agreement, do I get version 2 for free? A: Yes. All SDIO Now! Licensees with a current Maintenance & Support Agreement will receive be able to download the v2 DDK from the secure SDIO Now! Member Central Web Site. Q: How much will it cost me to purchase the v2 upgrade? A: The SD Host DDK, Source Edition v2 upgrade sells for $10,000. The SD Host DDK, Binary Edition version 2.0 upgrade is $5,000(US) as is the SD Peripheral DDK version 2.0 upgrade. Each upgrade includes one year of email based technical support. Q: How much is an annual SDIO Now! Maintenance and Support agreement? A: $10,000 for the Source Edition, $5,000(US) for the Binary Edition and Peripheral DDK. BSQUARE CONFIDENTIAL FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY 2