Windows IoT SDK Documentation

Introduction to Windows IoT

Welcome to the official documentation for the Windows IoT SDK. This SDK provides the tools and libraries necessary to develop powerful and innovative IoT solutions on Windows devices.

With Windows IoT, you can leverage your existing Windows development skills to build embedded applications for a wide range of hardware, from Raspberry Pi to industrial PCs.

Getting Started

To begin developing with the Windows IoT SDK, follow these steps:

  1. Prerequisites: Ensure you have a Windows 10 or Windows 11 device and a supported IoT board (e.g., Raspberry Pi 2/3/4).
  2. Install Visual Studio: Download and install the latest version of Visual Studio with the "Universal Windows Platform development" workload.
  3. Install SDK: Install the Windows IoT SDK via the Visual Studio Installer or the NuGet package manager.
  4. Connect Your Device: Follow the device-specific instructions to connect your IoT hardware to your development machine.

For detailed setup guides, please refer to the official Microsoft documentation.

Core Concepts

Device Management

Learn how to provision, configure, and manage your Windows IoT devices remotely. This includes over-the-air updates, telemetry collection, and device health monitoring.

Communication Protocols

Discover how to implement various communication protocols essential for IoT devices, such as MQTT, HTTP, and WebSockets.

// Example of establishing a WebSocket connection
                var webSocket = new Windows.Networking.Sockets.MessageWebSocket();
                await webSocket.ConnectAsync(new Uri("wss://example.com/iotdata"));
                // ... send and receive messages ...

General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO)

Interact with the physical world by controlling GPIO pins for digital input and output. This is crucial for connecting sensors, actuators, and LEDs.

// Example of controlling an LED
                using (var gpio = Windows.Devices.Gpio.GpioController.GetDefault())
                {
                    var pin = gpio.OpenPin(17); // Pin number 17
                    pin.SetDriveMode(Windows.Devices.Gpio.GpioPinDriveMode.Output);
                    pin.Write(Windows.Devices.Gpio.GpioPinValue.High); // Turn LED on
                }

Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C)

Communicate with I2C devices like sensors, displays, and expanders. The SDK provides robust APIs for I2C communication.

// Example of reading from an I2C device
                var controller = await Windows.Devices.I2c.I2cController.GetDefaultAsync();
                var i2cDevice = controller.GetDevice(new Windows.Devices.I2c.I2cConnectionSettings(0x44)); // Device address 0x44
                byte[] readBuffer = new byte[2];
                i2cDevice.Read(readBuffer);
                // Process data in readBuffer

Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)

Utilize SPI for high-speed serial communication with peripherals like ADCs, DACs, and displays.

// Example of SPI communication (conceptual)
                var settings = new Windows.Devices.Spi.SpiConnectionSettings(0); // Bus ID 0
                settings.Mode = Windows.Devices.Spi.SpiMode.Mode0;
                settings.DataBitLength = 8;
                var spiController = await Windows.Devices.Spi.SpiController.GetDefaultAsync();
                var spiDevice = spiController.GetDevice(settings);
                byte[] writeBuffer = { 0x01, 0x02 };
                byte[] readBuffer = new byte[2];
                spiDevice.TransferFullDuplex(writeBuffer, readBuffer);
                // Process readBuffer

Samples and Examples

Explore a variety of sample applications demonstrating different features of the Windows IoT SDK. These samples cover use cases from basic hardware interaction to complex cloud connectivity.

API Reference

Detailed documentation for all classes, methods, and properties available in the Windows IoT SDK. Search for specific APIs or browse by namespace.

The primary namespaces you'll work with include:

  • Windows.Devices.Gpio
  • Windows.Devices.I2c
  • Windows.Devices.Spi
  • Windows.Networking.Sockets
  • Windows.Storage

Visit the Microsoft Learn API Browser for comprehensive details.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Device not detected: Ensure your device is properly connected and powered on. Verify network settings and firewall rules.

GPIO pins not responding: Double-check pin numbering, drive modes, and ensure the correct library is imported.

Performance Tips

Avoid blocking operations in the UI thread. Use asynchronous programming patterns for I/O operations.

For more advanced troubleshooting, consult the Windows IoT forums and community resources.