Microsoft Windows on Arm for Embedded Devices

Microsoft Windows on Arm for embedded devices

With rapid increases in hardware speed and performance, complemented at the same time by reduced power and size requirements, embedded computing has seen significant growth in nearly every industry. From self-serve kiosks and retail checkout, to medical imaging devices, outdoor advertising, and even interactive casino games, edge computing is changing the landscape of how and where applications run. These kinds of systems and use cases require both specialized hardware and flexible, enterprise-grade software platforms in order to maintain physical reliability, uptime and application stability. While Intel and AMD each have dedicated x86-based products targeting these environments, there are also modern processors from Qualcomm and NXP that are highly capable, cost-effective, and offer the customization and consistency of running Microsoft Windows, on Arm-based processors.

The shifting semiconductor landscape

Historically, Qualcomm enjoyed significant traction in mobile device markets, supplying its Snapdragon SoCs to smartphone manufacturers like Samsung, Motorola, LG, Huawei, and more. However, with some of those device makers exiting the market and others now designing in-house semiconductors, Qualcomm is exploring new markets — particularly embedded computing applications. By focusing on embedded and industrial applications traditionally dominated by x86 processors, Qualcomm aims to capture a growing market segment in need of efficient, high-performance, and flexible computing options. Similarly, NXP has a strong legacy in microcontrollers and processors, built with reliability and a superior developer experience in mind. This makes for a solid foundation upon which to expand into embedded devices running Windows on Arm. More specifically, the version of Windows on Arm designed for these types of environments is Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC (Long Term Servicing Channel), which is currently at version 24H2.

Flexible, scalable software platform powered by Windows on Arm

Microsoft’s Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC for embedded systems is a lean, scalable, customizable version of Windows 11, allowing users to build a lightweight and stable operating system optimized for specific use cases such as human-machine interfaces (HMI), edge computing, and industrial applications.

It features a wide variety of security, device management, user experience controls and restrictions, resource optimizations to reduce hardware requirements, and lower licensing costs compared to standard versions of Windows, as well. Looking closer at each of these key features in detail reveals significant advantages and reasons to choose Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC over competing embedded solutions, especially when running on Arm-based processors:

Security: Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC offers up to 10 years of security updates delivered by Microsoft, keeping devices in the field secure and protected from malware and other threats as they emerge. This helps ensure systems remain safeguarded and defended, as potential vulnerabilities are discovered. Features such as BitLocker and TPM support, as well as Credential Guard and Application Guard also help ensure system and user safety.

Device management: Unlike the standard Windows installations on PCs and laptops, Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC for Arm can be customized to remove unnecessary features, applications, language packs, fonts and more, in order to reduce the overall storage and run-time requirements of the system. Granular control over hardware features and capabilities that are exposed by the OS are also available, as well as Intune, Passkey, and Windows Hello.

User interface management: Windows 11 offers a refreshed and enhanced user interface for usage scenarios that make use of normal desktop access, and applications such as browsers, utilities, productivity and communications apps launch and run the same on Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC as they do on any other standard PC or laptop installation of Windows. For scenarios that require a locked-down set of applications or single use functionality like an airline check-in kiosk, point-of-sale (POS) checkout, or fast-food ordering system, granular controls allow for restricted user experiences and automatic launching of specified applications.

Hardware: Microsoft has included optimizations that help improve performance on Arm powered devices, and the lightweight nature of Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC also allows for lower memory and storage requirements versus a standard Windows installation. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC can run on systems with as little as 2GB of memory and 16GB of storage when features are removed, though this does leave very little space for the intended application stack that will be run on the system. However, even with 4GB (or more) of RAM and more ample storage, a less-expensive BoM cost per device will quickly add up to significant savings when scaling to thousands or tens of thousands of devices if custom hardware is being created for a SMARC, COM-Express, or similar standard SoM and carrier board.

Feature deep dive: Cost-effective licensing and product strategies

Possibly the most important benefit of using Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC for Arm with embedded compute platforms is the substantial cost savings on licensing. While a traditional Microsoft Windows license for desktop or laptop hardware can range from $90 to $140 or more depending on the version, Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC on Arm licenses typically start in the $20 to $30 range. This lower entry price can make a significant impact, especially for companies deploying many thousands of units.

For businesses developing embedded solutions such as kiosks, advertising displays, or industrial edge compute devices, the cost savings scale up quickly. For instance, a fleet of 1,000 deployed devices using Windows on Arm could reduce licensing costs by tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, compared to traditional x86-based Windows desktop or laptop systems. This affordability is particularly advantageous in fields like manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and logistics, where devices may need to be deployed in large numbers across wide geographic areas, for extended periods of many years.

The Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) edition of Windows 11 IoT Enterprise also reduces long-term costs as there are no ongoing subscription costs, and less frequent feature updates can help reduce management overhead and support costs. For companies prioritizing stability, especially those in industrial or regulated sectors, the LTSC version of Windows 11 IoT Enterprise on Arm offers reliable, low-cost licensing over the device’s lifecycle.

Hardware options for diverse needs

Embedded platforms come in a variety of form factors and solutions such as development kits, single board computers, and production-ready System on Modules (SoMs) that adhere to industry standards such as PICMG COM Express, OSM, SMARC, and more. Utilizing industry standards, SoMs become flexible through various suppliers, and carrier boards can be reused in multiple designs or products. Users can even design their own custom carrier board based on their particular use case or needs, with only the interfaces and features of their product or application's outcomes. This can allow for reduced BOM size, power, and cost. Standards such as SMARC and others also enable developers to upgrade compute power or features easily, as needs change and applications grow in size.

Looking closer at Arm-based processors as the underlying platform for a Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC solution, there are several unique advantages versus traditional x86 options. First and foremost, SoCs using Arm processor cores are typically very highly integrated, with CPU, GPU, NPU, memory controllers, USB, PCIe, UART, I2C, network interfaces like Ethernet and Wi-Fi, and more peripherals all included on-chip. This allows for highly efficient, and cost-effective SoCs. This also translates to power savings, as Arm-based processors are generally much more power-efficient than x86 counterparts of the same performance spectrum. A well known example of this occurred several years ago when Apple transitioned their laptop products from Intel processors to their own custom silicon built on Arm called the M1, which resulted in dramatic gains in battery life for their laptops. Finally, with NXP and Qualcomm offering a BSP and device drivers enabling Windows to take advantage of exposed hardware, system designers and hardware engineers can instead focus on starting with a development kit, but then easily pivot to their own production-ready designs by using turnkey designs such as a SMARC, or even design their own SoMs around the processor.

Hardware spotlight: Advantech Qualcomm QCS6490 Windows on Arm Development Kit

The Advantech Qualcomm QCS6490 Windows on Arm Development Kit is a quick way to get up and running with Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC for Arm. The development kit includes everything needed to begin testing applications, features, and performance on a modern Arm-based platform. At the heart of the board is the Qualcomm QCS6490 SoC which has a Kryo 670 8-core CPU, 12 TOPS Hexagon NPU, and Adreno 643L GPU for powerful compute, AI acceleration, and 3D rendering. There is also 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, a 128GB eMMC with MS Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC pre-installed, HDMI, DisplayPort, dual gigabit ethernet ports, 2 USB 3.2 ports, PCIe, dual MIPI-CSI camera inputs, audio, and more.

The QCS6490 has a 15 year supply commitment from Qualcomm, ensuring products built around the platform can have long-term lifecycles where necessary, such as medical or industrial equipment, outdoor display advertising, or HMI for example.

The enterprise solution for embedded devices

With these security, cost, and maintenance advantages in mind, Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC is a compelling solution and platform to use as the basis for embedded devices. Flexibility in hardware ranging from extremely low-power designs like the NXP i.MX8 up to the powerful 8-core, 2.7GHz Qualcomm QCS6490 with integrated AI accelerator allow for a wide variety of systems depending upon the use case and industry. The added stability and reliability of long-term support and updates, reusable carrier boards with standardized SMARC, OSM, COM Express or other form factors, and lack of subscription-based licensing also add very strong reasons for choosing Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC for your products and projects. If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to Avnet (software@avnet.com) for more information!