| Microsoft releases .NET Micro Framework 2.0 SP1 |
Sep. 18, 2007
Microsoft has announced the availability of a significant update to its .NET Micro Framework 2.0 software development kit (SDK). Announced in conjunction with this week's Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) in Boston, Service Pack 1 (SP1) is said to feature "new enhancements to build more secure, attractive, innovative, and globalized applications."
.NET Micro Framework (.NET MF) version 2.0, officially released in February of this year, extended Microsoft's reach into high-volume, cost-sensitive devices with severely constrained processor and memory resources. At the time, the company said Version 3.0 of the SDK would be available in the first quarter of 2008.
SP1 provides a Flash Protection tool that helps prevent unsigned firmware or application code from being installed on a device, according to Microsoft. The company says SP1 also provides .TFConvert, which, by converting a developer's choice of TrueType fonts into bitmaps, provides "increased flexibility in interface design and ... increased localization support."
New tools in SP1 now allow OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and ODMs (original design manufacturers) to create their own customized deployment software, Microsoft says. These features "streamline the manufacturing process and ease the burdens often associated with the deployment of updates to devices in the field," according to the company.
Third-party products and platforms
In conjunction with Microsoft's SP1 announcement, Adeneo, Atmel, EmbeddedFusion, NXP Semiconductors, and SJJ Embedded Micro Solutions all announced new or enhanced support for .NET MF.
 Adeneo and Atmel presented the former's port of .NET MF onto the ARM-based AT91SAM9261 microcontroller. In a joint announcement, the companies said the "port extends the reach of C# and .NET ... to provide greater productivity developing small, embedded devices. This ... brings new opportunities for OEMs addressing building/home automation, medical, industrial, or other embedded markets with strong requirements in terms of memory or power consumption."
 EmbeddedFusion announced a lower-cost version of its Meridian CPU module (pictured at right), which integrates a Freescale i.MXS processor, RAM, flash, and power supply into a surface-mountable component less than 35mm square. Targeted at products such as Windows SideShow-enabled devices or industrial monitoring and control devices, instrumentation, medical, security, and home automation products, the Meridian/B omits the 2.7-inch display that was supported on the Meridian/A.
NXP, meanwhile, announced that .NET MF has been ported to support its ARM7-based LPC2000 microcontroller family. In a statement, Geoff Lees, general manager for the company's microcontroller product line, said, "for developers using Microsoft Visual Studio, it's now easier than ever to use NXP LPC2000 microcontrollers to accelerate the development of applications for small-footprint, low-power devices."
 Finally, SJJ Embedded Micro Solutions has updated its Embedded Development Kit (EDK) for .NET Micro Framework. As before, the EDK contains a multipurpose development board (pictured at right) with .NET MF already installed and ready to run C# applications. The kit also includes a step-by-step instruction manual to guide engineers, students and hobbyists through the process of developing .NET Micro Framework managed code applications. Latest details on SJJ's .NET MF EDK are available on the company's website, here.
Availability
Microsoft's .NET MF 2.0 SP1, is available on the company's website, here.
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