What is ePDK?

PDK is an embedded printer driver development kit specifically designed for VxWorks. ePDK is supplied with a generic PCL driver which enables printing to LaserJet and DeskJet printer, the WindML Print API to allow developers to leverage the WindML graphics context for printing, and the VxQmanager, a print manager/Spooler. ePDK comes with examples and a demonstration application. The demonstration application program can be used to demonstrate printing text (in various font styles), bitmaps, and graphics.

What are the prices, royalties, and licensing terms?

Licensing is generally on a "per project" basis, however there are never any royalties and source code is always provided. Standard prices have been set for "per project" licensing and corporate licenses can be negotiated.

How can I buy the product?

Orders can be placed via a purchase order, or check and placed via email, phone, fax, or U.S. mail.

Professional Software Associates, Inc.
2500 Mitchell Lake Rd.
Attica, MI 48412 USA
Telephone: +1 810 724 5200
Fax: +1 810 724 5500
Email: sales@psa-software.com

Can the ePDK product be used with a different RTOS?

PSA is planning the support of other RTOS'es as part of future development. Call or email PSA for information on planned support of your RTOS.

Do you provide development services to integrate the printing solution within our application?

Yes, we can perform the printing integration for you under our professional services. Contact PSA to discuss your project needs at:

Professional Software Associates, Inc.
2500 Mitchell Lake Rd.
Attica, MI 48412 USA
Telephone: +1 810 724 5200
Fax: +1 810 724 5500
Email: info@psa-software.com

Can I purchase this direct from Wind River Systems?

PSA is currently pursuing an Alliance partnership with Wind River Systems to allow you to purchase the product direct from Wind River Systems. Until, then purchases can only be made by directly contacting PSA.

Professional Software Associates, Inc.
2500 Mitchell Lake Rd.
Attica, MI 48412 USA
Telephone: +1 810 724 5200
Fax: +1 810 724 5500
Email: sales@psa-software.com

Does the ePDK product support color?

At this time only black and white output is supported. See ePrintAPI product for color and grayscale support.

What types of printers does the ePDK support?

PDK V2.0 supports PCL compatible printers. A variety LaserJet and DeskJet printers have been tested by PSA and are in use by clients. In general, if your printer supports PCL3, PCL5, or PCL6 you will be able to use ePDK. PSA is evaluating support for other printer lanaguages. Please contact PSA at sales@psa-software.com if you have a need to support a non-PCL printer.

What kind of technical support would we receive?

Support is provided for general installation and use of ePDK via email at ePDK. PSA is evaluating support for other printer lanaguages. Please contact PSA at support@psa-software.com

Integration and implementation assistance can be provided. Contact PSA at info@psa-software.com for information and rates.

Is there any maintenance updates provided?

Yes, purchase of an annual maintenance subscription will provide software updates of the product. The cost for maintenance for the ePDK is percentage of the current license fees.

Is there a demo available?

Yes, examples/demonstrations are provided with the purchase of the ePDK. These examples demonstrate the printing of text with a variety of fonts, bitmaps, and graphics.

Can I receive an evaluation version?

No, given the fact that source code is provided with ePDK.

What other graphic toolkits will be supported?

PSA is planning several releases of the ePDK. Future releases are planned to support other graphics toolkits such as Java and Zinc. The initial releases possess basic sought after functionality and is built on a foundation allowing enhancements and additions without major rewrite.

We do not have a display in our application. How will this product help me?

An optional version of ePDK exposes the low level print API for applications that do not employ a display, yet still require the ability to print.

What do I need to know in order to integrate this product with our application?

Developers that are using VxWorks and WindML will be able to utilize ePDK without a steep learning curve. The WindML Print API developed by PSA conforms with the style of WindML, and the user documentation has been developed to be consistent with the WindML documentation.

What do I need to have in order to use the ePDK product?

VxWorks V5.3 or greater
WindML version 2.0 or greater
Communications channel (e.g. serial port, parallel port implemented under VxWorks)

What types of fonts are supported?

Printer fonts. Contact PSA for custom font support.

How about scaling?

Yes, support is provided for scaling of bitmaps.

Can I print multiple pages or documents?

Yes.

Does the ePDK support landscape?

Yes.

Does the ePDK support Postscript?

Not at this time, however since source code is provided, a developer could create the necessary functions to output Postscript, and items that are not PCL specific, such as the VxQManager could be utilized.

What is the VxQManager?

The VxQManager® product is a printer spooling solution for the Wind River® Systems VxWorks® 5.4 real-time operating system (RTOS). A spooler is simply a mechanism that accepts requests for a resource and then allocates the use of the resource according to a set of specified rules. To understand how a spooler can be useful, let's look at how it controls access to a printer. A printer must be available at all times to users, yet it can print only one job at a time. If a spooler is present, users/clients can send their data through the spooler rather than directly to the printer. Upon receiving data destined for the printer, the spooler writes this data into a temporary set of files or memory segments instead of sending it immediately to the printer. Later, when the printer becomes available, the spooler will write the data to the printer. Thus, many users/clients can freely submit print jobs to one physical printer.

What is the overall footprint of the ePDK?

167Kb - representative of an x86 without debug statements.

Are there any compression capabilities within the VxQManager?

Yes, VxQManager offers the ability to compress print data, as it is stored in the queue waiting to be printed.

What about bitmaps?

Yes bitmaps are supported.

Can I print WindML fonts?

Yes, but based on your desired quality of output printing the printer fonts may be more suitable.

Why is WindML necessary?

ePDK takes advanatage of the WindML graphics context. This enables applications to support printing with little re-work, and new applications to support printing without a heavy investment in additional development time.

Can I print to a parallel port?

You can print to any VxWorks enabled port. The VxQManager will communicate with the port provided the port driver is proper and has been enabled in VxWorks. PSA does not supply communication port drivers.

Does ePDK support Java?

Not at this time. For future planned releases contact PSA.