.NET Micro Framework

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The Microsoft. NET Micro Framework is a descendant of. NET framework for programming embedded systems with limited resources such as vending machines and on-board systems in automobiles.

Overview

So the MSN Watch is powered by the. NET Micro Framework, for example. Another area of ​​application is SideShow gadgets that are supported by Windows Vista. The company Digi International has introduced in April 2007 with her communication module Digi Connect ME the first Ethernet network solution.

The development concept is based on the. NET Framework. The programming language C #, however, only comes to use.

Technical details

The development of the Micro Framework is fundamentally different than developing for Windows CE with. NET Compact Framework. The Micro Framework can either build on an existing operating system, or even work as an operating system directly on the hardware. A corresponding hardware abstraction layer is integrated into the Micro Framework.

The Micro Framework is not a real- time system. The code will not compile as usual for the other. NET Framework using the Just- In-Time compiler at runtime, but interpreted. However, the concomitant loss of speed can be compensated by the performance-critical code segments are implemented as native code and called from Interop.

Hardware Abstraction Layer

The HAL can communicate using delegates and events with the Common Language Runtime ( CLR). Thus, it is possible to put the device into a sleep state, but still to be able to respond to specific events.

Driver in the HAL

The following drivers are already integrated in the HAL:

  • Buffered RS232 serial I / O
  • Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI ) with 13.8 MHz
  • Monochrome LCD ( 120x96 )
  • Battery monitoring (temperature, voltage and state of charge )
  • Bluetooth
  • 802.15.4 low- rate wireless personal area networking ( WPAN)
  • Flash (parallel) and EEPROM ( serial) memory
  • Calibrated time
  • Boolean outputs ( backlight, vibration, etc. )
  • Boolean inputs (buttons, etc.)
  • PWM outputs (piezo speaker, dimmers, vibration)

With the Micro Framework, it is still possible to write drivers in managed code.

Multithreading

The Micro Framework provides multithreading ready, even if the underlying hardware does not support it. Strictly speaking, it is in the Execution Engine is not a multithread -capable engine. Rather, this simulator can be considered as such. The context switch takes place in 20 -ms intervals, threads are prioritized and support interrupts.

Garbage Collection

Also, the garbage collector has undergone some changes. Due to the usually very small memory on the target system did not prepare a hierarchical garbage collector. Instead, a mark- and- sweep algorithm. This is further optimized by storing metadata on the heap.

To improve the utilization of memory, further, the garbage collector has been enhanced so that it can outsource data in non-volatile memory when the associated application is inactive.

Class Library

The Micro Framework is a subset of. NET Framework dar. When choosing the name spaces, care was taken only to integrate the parts into the Micro Framework, which are necessary for the operation of small, autonomous units.

In addition to the namespaces of the. NET Framework namespace SPOT has been added, which comes only in the Micro Framework for use. SPOT Smart Personal Objects Technology means and is Microsoft's terminology for electronic devices such as watches, alarm clocks, key rings, etc., which make information accessible to their owners.

The fully or partially inherited namespaces NET Base Class Libraries. :

  • System
  • System.Collections
  • System.Diagnostics
  • System.Globalization.CultureInfo
  • System.IO
  • System.Net
  • System.Net.Sockets
  • System.Reflection
  • System.Resources
  • System.Runtime.CompilerServices
  • System.Runtime.InteropServices
  • System.Runtime.Remoting
  • System.Runtime.Text

The newly added name spaces for smart personal objects:

  • Microsoft.SPOT
  • Microsoft.SPOT.Cryptography
  • Microsoft.SPOT.Hardware
  • Microsoft.SPOT.Input
  • Microsoft.SPOT.Net.NetworkInformation
  • Microsoft.SPOT.Presentation
  • Microsoft.SPOT.Presentation.Controls
  • Microsoft.SPOT.Presentation.Media
  • Microsoft.SPOT.Presentation.Shapes

Changes in Version 2.5

The NET Micro Framework 2.5. Was extended with a TCP / IP stack. Based on a Devices Profile for Web Services ( DPWS ) stack has been integrated into the Micro Framework. This DPWS stack has been specially developed for the Micro Framework in managed code and is named MFDPWS. He offers a subset of the DPWS standards dar. The DPWS stack, it is now possible to Web Services for Devices ( WSD) to use. The network nodes communicate via SOAP and services can take advantage of the other participant.

Technical Requirements

Currently supports ARM7 and ARM9 processors Micro Framework and Analog Devices Blackfin. The target system must have at least ~ 128 KB RAM and 512 KB Flash / ROM development. During operation, the Micro Framework has a minimum size of 390 KB. The size depends on the amount of functions used.

For installation and debugging, the device requires a serial, USB or network interface.

Development environment

As a development environment is Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 or later in conjunction with the. NET Micro Framework SDK to use. You will also need the board support package for the device.

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