Resources:

Free Download: 

Golden IC .NET Micro Framework port on ARM Cortex-M based Ti Stellaris MCU source code

Golden IC .NET Micro Framework Hardware: GDK101 Development Board

Golden IC .NET Micro Framework Demo Videos: Golden IC demo videos
 

1. What is .NET Micro Framework?

 
The .NET Micro Framework is .NET for small and resource constrained devices. It offers a complete and innovative development and execution environment that brings the productivity of modern computing tools to this class of devices.

For current .NET developers, this means that they can now create applications that run on a range of devices from targeted devices like remote controls to PCs and Servers and on to the cloud – all with the same programming model and tools.

For current Embedded developers, this means that they can now leverage the productivity gains that have been achieved on the desktop and reduce their time to market.

The .NET Micro Framework is a fully integrated Visual Studio experience brings a reliable and productive development system to the embedded world.

With .NET Micro Framework, you can:

·        Easily develop powerful, interactive, and complex applications

·        Securely connect devices over wired or wireless protocols

·        Develop reliable solutions faster at lower cost

·        Develop full solutions using .NET including devices, servers, and the cloud

The .NET Micro Framework enables faster development of more capable embedded systems that are smart, securely connected, and easier to manage. By supporting modern development tools and paradigms, .NET Micro Framework allows embedded project managers to improve productivity by bringing innovative products to market faster and at lower cost.

Through its fully integrated Visual Studio experience, the .NET Micro Framework brings a reliable and productive development system to the world of embedded development. Complex applications can be developed faster by leveraging the powerful emulation and debugging capabilities. The familiar development environment allows .NET desktop programmers to work easily on embedded projects.

.NET Micro Framework website.

2. What does Golden IC provide you with .NET Micro Framework?

Developing your embedded system products with .NET Micro Framework will help you to efficiently and securely complete your project. But before being able to utilize .NET Micro Framework in embedded systems, the porting of NETMF to the hardware is the major task which takes extensive effort, time and experience.

Golden IC Technology Co, ltd. is the first to achieve porting the NETMF to TI Stellaris ARM Cortex-M3 platforms, with implementation of various features such as WiFi, PPP and USB Host. Golden IC, as an official Microsoft .NET Micro Framework partner, designed cross-platform hardware GDK-101 development board and EasyMF CPU module to help those developers using NETMF to achieve faster time to market while reducing the cost and risk in the developing process.

3. Golden IC .NET Micro Framework solution

1) Hardware

Golden IC has released Golden SoM™ .NET Micro Framework development platform, composed of TI Stellaris ARM® Cortex™-M3 80MHz microcontroller with 16MB RAM, 4MB Flash, 1 x SPI, 1 x I²C, 1 x UART, 1xRS485, 2 x RS232,1 x CAN, 2 x 10-bit 8 Channel ADC and other peripherals, TCP/IP Protocol, WiFi drivers, PPP (GPRS/3G) drivers, LCD display drivers, and embedded USB host/device/OTG drivers.

Figure 1. Golden SoM™ development platform

2) Software Porting Kit is provided for: HAL-Hardware Abstraction Layer with libraries of approx. 40 funtions, PAL-Platform Abstraction Layer with libraries of approx. 40 funtions, and ARM Cortex-M3 functions libraries and sophisticated application drivers. Supports various BUS and communication and network interfaces (SPI, I²C, UART, GPIO), TCP/IP network, Wireless network (Zigbee, WiFi, PPP) protocol, DPWS (Devices Profile for Web Services) libraries, and flash protections.

Figure 2. Golden SoM™ NETMF platform structure.

3) Software Development Kit (SDK):

.NET Micro Framework SDK is free to download and integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Visual Studio. Developers can leverage .NET libraries subsets in C# to develop embedded applications, as well as on-device debugging, emulation, IntelliSense®, integration of structure & deployment and executable .NET Common Language Runtime (CLR) library subsets implemented bringing high efficiency computing and the advantages of .NET programming to resource restrained devices. The built-in Garbage Collection and exception handling support has made compiling of codes to be easier and lower risk of errors. The forcible support for Safe IL Instruction can help to avoid incorrect execution. Developers can use C# programming language to compile and update drivers for various interfaces (such as SPI, I²C, GPIO and Usart) to support new devices.

Figure 4 .NET Micro Framework developing environment and emulator.

4. .NET Micro Framework applications

The .NET Micro Framework has been applied in consumer electronics, medical equipment, communication, automotive electronics, and industrial automation & controls, as well as various fields are now in commercial stage to bring new experience to customers. This also helps those who are learning .NET Micro Framework to start from a beginner to a professional NETMF developer.

Typical applications include:

1.     Auto Robot：Maze or object identification, ex: Lawnmower, Vacuum Cleaner

2.     GPS data logger：driving route, acceleration, altitude, temperature recording in SD Card or USB devices.

3.      Home Automation: Using a simple module to achieve Home Automation and controls from any browsers.