.NET Micro Framework: Difference between revisions

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| repo = {{URL|https://github.com/NETMF/netmf-interpreter}}

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The '''.NET Micro Framework''' (NETMF) iswas a [[.NET Framework]] platform for resource-constrained devices with at least 512 [[kilobyte|kB]] of flash and 256 kB of [[random-access memory]] (RAM). It includes a small version of the .NET [[Common Language Runtime]] (CLR) and supports development in [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], [[Visual Basic .NET]], and debugging (in an emulator or on hardware) using [[Microsoft Visual Studio]]. NETMF features a subset of the .NET base class libraries (about 70 classes with about 420 methods), an implementation of [[Windows Communication Foundation]] (WCF), a [[List of widget toolkits|GUI framework]] loosely based on [[Windows Presentation Foundation]] (WPF), and a Web Services stack based on Simple Object Access Protocol ([[SOAP]]) and [[Web Services Description Language]] (WSDL). NETMF also features added libraries specific to embedded applications. It is [[free and open-source software]] released under [[Apache License]] 2.0.

The Micro Framework aims to make embedded development easier, faster, and less costly by giving embedded developers access to the modern technologies and tools used by desktop application developers. Also, it allows desktop .NET developers to use their skills in [[embedded system]]s, enlarging the pool of qualified embedded developers.

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As of 2013, the .NET Micro Framework was supported on [[ARM architecture]] processors (including ARM7, ARM9, and Cortex-M) and has been supported on [[Analog Devices]] [[Blackfin]] in the past. The Porting Kit is now available along with the source code as a free download under the [[Apache License]] 2.0 at the Microsoft Download Center.

The Micro Framework has its roots in Microsoft's [[Smart Personal Objects Technology]] (SPOT) initiative and was used in [[MSN Direct]] products such as smart watches before being made available to third-party developers early in 2007.<ref>{{Cncite web|url=https://news.microsoft.com/2007/01/08/microsoft-spot-initiative-accelerates-with-addition-of-msn-direct-to-navigation-devices|title=Microsoft SPOT Initiative Accelerates With Addition of MSN Direct to Navigation Devices|date=2007-01-08|publisher=Microsoft Corporation|access-date=2 July 20202024}}</ref> It is a common platform for [[Windows SideShow]] devices and has been adopted in other markets, such as energy management, healthcare, industrial automation, and sensor networks.

Microsoft allows developers to create applications using the Micro Framework without charge, and makes a [[software development kit]] (SDK) available for free download that can be used with all versions of Visual Studio, including the free Express editions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=23546|title=NETMF4 SDK|publisher=Microsoft}}</ref>

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[http://www.TinyCLR.com FEZ: open-source electronics boards with many open-source component drivers using .NET MF]</ref>

On 3 August 2010, Secret Labs announced the Netduino, the first all-open-source electronics platform using the .NET Micro Framework.<ref>[{{Cite web |url=http://www.netduino.com/ |title=Netduino: open-source electronics platform using .NET MF] |access-date=8 September 2010 |archive-date=20 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320225203/http://www.netduino.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In February 2011, Novell posted a preview of the Mono 2.12 C# compiler, the first open-source compiler for .NET Micro Framework.<ref>[http://forums.netduino.com/index.php?/forum/12-mono/: Experimental Mono support for Mac/Linux]</ref>

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On 23 January 2017, after numerous attempts (<ref>{{cite web |title=Manifest for .NETMF (the current state and the future we want for it) |website=[[GitHub]] |url=https://github.com/NETMF/netmf-interpreter/issues/491}}</ref> and <ref>{{cite web |title=Future of .NETMF (take #999999) |website=[[GitHub]] |url=https://github.com/NETMF/netmf-interpreter/issues/527}}</ref>) to revive .NET Microframework project and bring it to community governance and a period of work "in the dark", a group of embedded systems developers publicly announced .NET nanoFramework as spin-off of .NET Micro Framework.<ref>{{cite web |title=The name's Framework, nanoFramework |url=https://nanoframework.net/2017/01/23/my-name-is-framework-nanoframework/ |access-date=2019-02-22 |archive-date=2019-02-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222152330/https://nanoframework.net/2017/01/23/my-name-is-framework-nanoframework/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> A major rework on the build system, an easier way of adding new targets, a modernized API following [[Universal Windows Platform|UWP]], a Visual Studio extension with all the tools required for managing targets, full development experience from coding to debugging on the native code and support for ARM Cortex-M and ESP32 were the key differences at that time. On 12 October 2018 the first official release of the class libraries and firmware images was announced.<ref>{{cite web |title=nanoFramework v1.0 is official! |url=https://nanoframework.net/2018/10/12/502/ |access-date=2019-02-22 |archive-date=2019-02-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222152201/https://nanoframework.net/2018/10/12/502/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 2020-06-17 the developers announced release of nanoFramework<ref>[https://www.nanoframework.net/stable-releases-are-out/ Stable releases are out]</ref>

On 16 December 2016, GHI Electronics announced their own implementation of Micro Framework called TinyCLR OS, citing lack of maintenance of NETMF by Microsoft.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ghielectronics.com/community/forum/topic?id=24044# |title=Introducing TinyCLR OS: a new path for our NETMF devices |access-date=2017-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728203332/https://www.ghielectronics.com/community/forum/topic?id=24044# |archive-date=2017-07-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 7 July 2017 GHI announced 5th preview of TinyCLR OS.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ghielectronics.com/community/forum/topic?id=24580# |title=Fifth Preview of TinyCLR OS Core Features and Porting |access-date=2017-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728202902/https://www.ghielectronics.com/community/forum/topic?id=24580# |archive-date=2017-07-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 2 February 2018 GHI announced 8th preview of TinyCLR OS.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tinyclr.com/tinyclr-os-eighth-release-fez-hydra-wi-fi-and-cortex-m7/# |title=TinyCLR OS Eighth Release: FEZ Hydra, Wi-Fi, and Cortex-M7 |access-date=2018-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309184128/http://www.tinyclr.com/tinyclr-os-eighth-release-fez-hydra-wi-fi-and-cortex-m7/# |archive-date=2018-03-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 5 April 2018 GHI announced 10th preview of TinyCLR OS.<ref>[https://forums.ghielectronics.com/t/tinyclr-os-tenth-release-bugs-rtc-and-stm32f7/21327 TinyCLR OS Tenth Release: Bugs, RTC, and STM32F7]</ref> On 27 April 2022 GHI announced release of TinyCLR OS version 2.2.<ref>[https://www.ghielectronics.com/2022/04/27/tinyclr-os-2-2-release/ TinyCLR OS 2.2 Release]</ref>

As of 2023, only nanoFramework and TinyCLR OS continue development of a framework that can run .NET code on a microcontroller.

==Hardware==

Multiple vendors make chips, development kits, and more that run the Micro Framework.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/netmf/hardware/default.mspx# |title=Compatible Device Matrix |website=[[Microsoft]] |access-date=2010-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223163114/http://www.microsoft.com/netmf/hardware/default.mspx# |archive-date=2010-12-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Netduino by Wilderness Labs===

[[Netduino]] is an open-source electronics platform using the Micro Framework. Originally created by Secret Labs, butNetduino now{{When|date=Julyhas 2020}}been manufactured and maintained by Wilderness Labs Inc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.netduino.com/|title=Netduino: home|publisher=Wilderness Labs, Inc.|access-date=29 October 2010|archive-date=20 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320225203/http://www.netduino.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref> since the acquisition of Secret Labs in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/netduino_acquired_by_wilderness_labs/prweb14517316.htm|title=Netduino acquired by Wilderness Labs|date=2017-07-20|publisher=PRWeb|access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref> Based on 168Mhz Cortex-M4 (STM32F4) with up to 1,408 KB of code storage and 164 KB of RAM. On-board USB, Ethernet, Wifi, SD card slot. Development environment is MS Visual Studio and C#. Pin compatible with Arduino shields although drivers are required for some shields.

===GHI Electronics===

GHI Electronics makes several modules that support the Micro Framework:

* EMX Module<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/category/18/|title=Catalog - Latest Products - GHI Electronics|publisher=GHI Electronics, LLC|access-date=2011-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320155135/http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/category/18/#|archive-date=2012-03-20|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* ChipworkX Module<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/category/20/|title=Catalog - Latest Products - GHI Electronics|access-date=2011-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204182300/http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/category/20#|archive-date=2012-12-04|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* USBizi144 Chipset<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/116|title=USBizi144 Chipset - GHI Electronics|publisher=GHI Electronics, LLC|access-date=2011-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107233556/https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/116#|archive-date=2014-01-07|url-status=dead}}</ref> and USBizi100, whose only difference is the lack of USB host support in the USBizi100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/117|title=USBizi100 Chipset - GHI Electronics|publisher=GHI Electronics, LLC|access-date=2011-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107234235/https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/117#|archive-date=2014-01-07|url-status=dead}}</ref>

GHI Electronics also makes the ''.NET FEZ'' line of very small open-source hardware boards with proprietary firmware, targeted for beginners. They are based on the USBizi chipset and all its features. The FEZ Domino board offers USB host. Even though FEZ is for beginners, it is also a low-cost starting point for professionals wanting to explore NETMF.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/category/7/|title=Catalog - Latest Products - GHI Electronics|access-date=2011-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302063709/http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/category/7/#|archive-date=2013-03-02|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some of these boards are physically compatible with the [[Arduino]].

GHI Electronics does not recommend to use its Micro Framework-based devices for new designs and instead recommends its TinyCLR-based devices.<ref>{{cite web|title=.NET Micro Framework Devices|url=https://www.ghielectronics.com/netmf/|website=GHI Electronics|access-date=2023-10-26}}</ref>