.NET Micro Framework: Bringing BSoD to embedded devices

Microsoft has ported (a subset of) the Microsoft .NET Framework over to embedded devices running on ARM or Blackfin processors. The .NET Micro Framework basically is just the .NET CLR compiled to different platforms, and then the .NET IL assemblies can be executed on top of the CLR, just like any other .NET execution process. The main support for the .NET Micro Framework seems to focus on the C# language. Wikipedia has a good overview of the details of the .NET Micro framework.

Despite our jesting in the title, we are actually a bit intrigued by the .NET Micro Framework. Many hardhack contributors are seasoned C# programmers, so the idea of using C# for desktop apps, smart phone apps, and now embedded devices drastically unifies the toolchains needed. You do need a full version of Visual Studio to support .NET Micro Framework--the free Express editions will not work.

We decided we wanted to take the plunge into .NET Micro, but first we needed to find a suitable development board. After a bit of research, we compiled the list of the following candidates:

DeviceSolutions Tahoe .NET Micro Framework Dev Platform
Price: US$399.00 (Oct/2008)
Specs: Freescale i.MXS 100Mhz ARM920T CPU, 4MB Flash, 8MB SDRAM
Features: 2.7" LCD, push buttons, serial
Notes: Optional Ethernet add-on for US$49.00
Product page: http://devicesolutions.net/Products/Tahoe.aspx

Digi Connect ME JumpStart Kit
Price: US$299.00 (Oct/2008)
Specs: 55Mhz NS7520 CPU, 2MB Flash, 8MB SDRAM
Features: serial
Product page: http://www.digi.com/products/model.jsp?lid=EN&pgid=90&pfid=122&mtid=2256&amtid=2256&pm=Y

Digi ConnectCor 9P JumpStart Kit
Price: US$499.00 (Oct/2008)
Specs: 150Mhz NS9210 CPU, 4MB Flash, 8MB SDRAM
Features: 2x serial, ethernet
Product page: http://www.digi.com/products/model.jsp?lid=EN&pgid=90&pfid=122&mtid=2749&amtid=2749&pm=Y

SJJ Micro EDK
Price: US$165.00 (Oct/2008)
Specs: CL EP9302 200Mhz ARM9 CPU, 8MB Flash, 8MB SDRAM
Features: ethernet, 2x USB host, 5 chan 16 bit A/D, 2x PWM, MMC/SD socket
Notes: no battery-backed RTC; all features may not be supported
Product page: http://www.sjjmicro.com/EDK.html

SJJ Micro EDKPlus
Price: US$225.00 (Oct/2008)
Specs: CL EP9302 200Mhz ARM9 CPU, 8MB Flash, 8MB SDRAM
Features: serial, ethernet, 2x USB host, 5 chan 16 bit A/D, 2x PWM, MMC/SD socket
Notes: battery-backed RTC; all features may not be supported
Product page: http://www.sjjmicro.com/EDK.html

GHI Electronics USBizi
Price: US$99.95 (Oct/2008)
Specs: 72Mhz ARM7 CPU, 512KB Flash, 96KB RAM
Features: USB host/device, 2x CAN, SD socket, 6x PWM
Product page: http://www.ghielectronics.com/details.php?id=113

GHI Electronics Embedded Master Dev System (non-TFT)
Price: US$199.95 (Oct/2008)
Specs: 72Mhz ARM7 CPU, 4.5MB Flash, 8MB SDRAM
Features: 128x64 display, ethernet, USB host + device, serial, CAN, SD card, 7 buttons
Product page: http://www.ghielectronics.com/details.php?id=107&sid=114

Overall, the SJJ kits seem to have a nice collection of hardware features bundled with them; however, it seems that the firmware they provide may not be compatible with all the hardware...so it would be unusable. That makes us concerned. Thi GHI USBizi is very affordable and has CAN (cool!), but no ethernet and very little Flash/RAM; it would only be good for minor apps...but still perhaps a good starter. The GHI Embedded Master has ethernet and better RAM and Flash than the USBizi counterpart, but it's still only a 72Mhz ARM7 CPU. Choices, choices... If the Embedded Master had a 200Mhz ARM9 processor, we would feel it would be the clear choice.

At the end of the day, we decided to look into the GHI devices. Look for future posts were we talk about the devices and give you our hands-on observations.

posted on 04 Oct 2008 | permalink | comment on this post