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        .NET MF to target teeny gadgets

        Doug | Date: May 9, 2006 | Comments: 1


        Digi Int'l is developing support for the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework (.NET MF) on its line of wired and wireless embedded modules such as the Connect Wi-ME WiFi adapter shown here. The .NET MF extends Microsoft's embedded software reach into devices with highly constrained resources.



        (Click here for a larger view of the Wi-ME module)

        Digi suggests that its network-enabled embedded modules make "ideal" platforms for a wide range of .NET MF-based applications, including retail price verification systems, blood glucose meters, remote power management, and environmental monitoring. Initial support will be available for the Connect ME, Connect Wi-ME, and ConnectCore 7U. Development kits for .NET Micro Framework with full Microsoft Visual Studio development tool integration will be available later this year, according to Digi.

        About the .NET Micro Framework

        According to Microsoft, the .NET MF was originally developed for its Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT) initiative, which required "a reasonably rich graphical application support on a very inexpensive and power-efficient hardware." Earlier versions of the .NET MF have been variously dubbed .NET Embedded and TinyCLR.

        The .NET MF supports low-end embedded procesors. It does not require an MMU (memory management unit), and only needs around 300KB of RAM in which to run. Currently it supports ARM Ltd's ARM7 processors, and will soon support the ARM Cortex M3 core, according to Colin Miller, Group Manager for Microsoft's SPOT Platforms. In the case of Digi's modules, the processor is an ARM7TDMI core from Net Silicon, a Digi subsidiary.

        Despite its small size, the .NET MF is still a fully managed code environment, with all the efficiency and reliability that managed code provides, Microsoft notes. Additionally, it is fully integrated with Visual Studio, allowing for development using familiar tools even when debugging code running on the target device.

        Eric Lang, general manager of Microsoft SPOT Group, said, "Microsofts .NET Micro Framework is ideally suited for the creation of the smallest of devices and is complementary to the existing embedded platforms that Microsoft offers. In combination with Digi's embedded modules, .NET Micro Framework brings ease of development to a class of network-connected devices previously not supported by Microsofts embedded solutions."

        Further info

        More information on .NET Micro Framework is available from Microsoft here. Read about the TinyCLR here, .NET Embedded here, and SPOT here

        Further information about Digi's small embedded modules is available here.


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