What is .NET Micro Framework?
Microsoft's .NET Micro Framework (NETMF) is a re-implementation of desktop .NET CLR for embedded devices with limited resources. But at the same time, the developer can enjoy the easy and rich development platform the NETMF offers, on devices with greater resources.
For current .NET developers, this means that they can now create applications that run on a range of systems from tiny devices, like remote controls, to PCs and Servers on 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. It offers a complete and innovative development and execution environment that brings the productivity of modern computing tools to this class of devices." .NET Micro Framework website.
For current .NET developers, this means that they can now create applications that run on a range of systems from tiny devices, like remote controls, to PCs and Servers on 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. It offers a complete and innovative development and execution environment that brings the productivity of modern computing tools to this class of devices." .NET Micro Framework website.
What does GHI Electronics offer with NETMF?
From a developer's point of view, working with NETMF has two sides: porting it to the hardware, and using it to control your hardware. Porting requires a considarable cost, extensive time, and a lot of experience. But after that is done, using NETMF is almost effortless.
GHI Electronics took these tasks that involve the hardware design, porting NETMF,and enriched it with value-added features such as WiFi, PPP and USB Host. While considering quality and reliability as the main guide lines.
The result was the proudly offered drop-in solutions (hardware modules/chipsets) with cost as low as $11.87
GHI Electronics took these tasks that involve the hardware design, porting NETMF,and enriched it with value-added features such as WiFi, PPP and USB Host. While considering quality and reliability as the main guide lines.
The result was the proudly offered drop-in solutions (hardware modules/chipsets) with cost as low as $11.87
How do GHI's NETMF offers differ from others?
GHI Electronics is an experienced partner that offers a wide range of .NET Micro Framework hardware and software capabilities using the various drop-in modules/chipsets. ChipworkX Module
, EMX Module, and USBizi Chipsets can be easily adopted in a product, with minimal risk and reasonable cost.
Listed are some of the technical features that one would get at no additional cost or effort by using GHI Electronics's and NETMF's integrated solutions:
- Full TCP/IP (TCP/UDP/DNS/DHCP) with SSL security.
- Various networking interfaces support: Ethernet, WiFi, PPP (GPRS, 3G, CDMA and dial-up serial modem).
- Graphics support and Windows Presentation Foundation.
- Full color TFT displays support.
- Touch screen support.
- UART, SPI, I2C and One-Wire serial interfaces are easily accessible.
- CAN bus with Filters and Time stamping.
- Configurable USB client interface.
- USB host capabilities with out-of-the-box drivers that allow accessing USB devices such as USB Mass Storage, HID, and CDC devices.
- USB Camera support.
- FAT file system with Long File Name support that can be accessed on USB thumb drive,SD/SDHC and MMC.
- Real SD 4-bit interface support (GHI Electronics is a member of SD association).
- Easily controllable input/output and interrupt digital ports.
- Interfaces such as Analog Inputs/Outputs, PWM, Output Compare.
- Included Real Time Clock.
- Low power and hibernate modes.
- In-field update support for the firmware and for user application.
- Parallel port support.
- Embedded database.
- Other features include (offered with NETMF) XML reader, HTTP, Web Services, and DPWS.
TinyCLR.com, Our .NET Micro Framework Community website!
Why Join?
- Comprehensive support from GHI's engineering staff and community members.
- Access and contribute to projects on the Wiki.
- Access and contribute open source drivers with Fezzer.
- Free tutorials with e-books available in multiple languages.
- Live chat with community members and GHI's engineering staff.
- Exclusive access to beta firmware releases.
- Participate in exciting contests.
- Coupons and free gifts.
Why should GHI be your partner for NETMF?
GHI has always been Microsoft's NETMF leading partner offering the most advanced NETMF devices in the market. As a partner of GHI, you have access to exclusive features, superior support, regular maintenance, core robustness, all with a very short time-to-market. All of these benefits come at no additional cost.
Exclusive Features - GHI's products include many exclusive features, such as USB Host, USB Device, WiFi, in-field-update, database, one-wire, CAN, PPP, and many more. GHI continuously adds exclusive features via free updates.
Superior Support - GHI's world-class support is freely available over phone, email or the forum. Our public forums is monitored by our engineering staff, who are always happy to help you.
Regular Maintenance - As Microsoft releases new versions of NETMF, GHI works very closely with them on clearing any possible issues. As a GHI customer, updating the firmware can be completed in a few seconds.
Core Robustness - GHI products are used around the world and in most markets. This vast usage guarantees quality and stability of GHI Electronics products. You can use any GHI product with an ease of mind.
Short Time-to-Market - Using a GHI product will drastically speed up development. The OEM modules include all the complex hardware and software, allowing products to be completed in weeks instead of months.
To GHI, a product-owner is a partner not a customer. We thrive on your success and work with you hand-in-hand to ensure the fulfillment of your needs.
Exclusive Features - GHI's products include many exclusive features, such as USB Host, USB Device, WiFi, in-field-update, database, one-wire, CAN, PPP, and many more. GHI continuously adds exclusive features via free updates.
Superior Support - GHI's world-class support is freely available over phone, email or the forum. Our public forums is monitored by our engineering staff, who are always happy to help you.
Regular Maintenance - As Microsoft releases new versions of NETMF, GHI works very closely with them on clearing any possible issues. As a GHI customer, updating the firmware can be completed in a few seconds.
Core Robustness - GHI products are used around the world and in most markets. This vast usage guarantees quality and stability of GHI Electronics products. You can use any GHI product with an ease of mind.
Short Time-to-Market - Using a GHI product will drastically speed up development. The OEM modules include all the complex hardware and software, allowing products to be completed in weeks instead of months.
To GHI, a product-owner is a partner not a customer. We thrive on your success and work with you hand-in-hand to ensure the fulfillment of your needs.
USB Host & FAT File System Solutions
Thanks to these solutions, a developer can send simple serial commands to access files on a USB flash drive or SD card. The serial interface can be UART, SPI or even I2C. The support for Long File Names (LFN) is built into ALFAT and is licensed by Microsoft for commercial use.
GHI Electronics is a member of SD association.
Some of the key features:
GHI Electronics is a member of SD association.
Some of the key features:
- A reliable industry-proven file system stack.
- Thousands of chipsets already are in use in commercial products around the world.
- Dedicated and dynamic support from GHI's engineering team.
- ALFAT is Microsoft licensed to use FAT file system with LFN support for commercial use.
- Lifts the file system load off your system.
- Works with UART, SPI or I2C.
- Easy access ot USB devices such as HID, CDC, printer, and mass storage devices.
- GHI Electronics is a member of SD association.
Affordable Consulting
GHI's years of embedded system development is available with ease of mind, at a very affordable cost. From software to hardware, from concept to market, GHI can do it all.
Circuit Board Design
The complex circuit board design is demonstrated throughout the many products that GHI offers. Multilayer design with multiple BGAs is not new to GHI's workbenches.
Using one of GHI's solutions design reference can save time, but we understand your needs and can work on a new design.
If the design is for a product using one of GHI's modules, you are eligible for a large discount on consulting, in some cases you may even receive free consulting.
Using one of GHI's solutions design reference can save time, but we understand your needs and can work on a new design.
If the design is for a product using one of GHI's modules, you are eligible for a large discount on consulting, in some cases you may even receive free consulting.
Optimized Software is a Standard
Since the very beginning, GHI has worked with resource-constrained embedded systems, where efficient coding is a must. Current GHI offers have features that are normally more than what the system can handle, but thanks to the high level of experience and optimization, these systems run flawlessly.
GHI's engineering team is a phone call away. Let us show you what we can do to your project.
GHI's engineering team is a phone call away. Let us show you what we can do to your project.