Microsoft Releases .NET Micro Framework 2.0 Service Pack 1, Announces New Partner Deployments

Microsoft Corp. announced the availability of Service Pack 1 (SP1) for the Microsoft® .NET Micro Framework 2.0, featuring new enhancements to build more secure, attractive, innovative and globalized applications. Demonstrating further momentum, Microsoft also announced that several partners completed ports of the .NET Micro Framework to additional development platforms and released new products built on the .NET Micro Framework.

The new features of Service Pack 1 provide precision-engineered functionality and tools that streamline the manufacturing process and ease the burdens often associated with the deployment of updates to devices in the field. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original device manufacturers (ODMs) can use the new tools to create their own customized deployment software for their unique manufacturing environments.

With SP1, developers and device-makers gain the ability to help prevent unsigned firmware or application code from being installed on a device. SP1 also provides a new tool for generating bitmap fonts for applications, giving application developers increased flexibility in interface design and providing increased localization support.

“Since the launch of .NET Micro Framework earlier this year, the interest we’ve received from the embedded community has been tremendous,” said Colin Miller, product unit manager of the .NET Micro Framework at Microsoft. “The support we’ve received from partners is a testament to the value the platform provides, and fuels our commitment to expand Microsoft’s embedded offerings into the territory of smaller, less expensive and more resource-constrained devices.”

Combining the reliability and efficiency of managed code with the development tools of Microsoft Visual Studio®, the .NET Micro Framework provides flexibility, cost-efficiency and productivity for developing applications on small resource-constrained devices.

At ESC Boston, Atmel Corp., NXP Semiconductors, Adeneo, SJJ Embedded Micro Solutions LLC and EmbeddedFusion have all announced enhanced or added support for the .NET Micro Framework, broadening the scope of available resources for device-makers and developers.

Atmel Ports .NET Micro Framework Onto the AT91SAM9261 Microcontroller

Atmel, a leading microcontroller manufacturer, announced a port of the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework onto its AT91SAM9261 ARM9-based microcontroller.

“The .NET Micro Framework is a compelling platform as it’s a key differentiator for applications that require fewer features than high-end operating systems, and it provides interoperability with the PC world,” said Jean-Christophe Zettel, applications manager for Atmel’s ARM-based products. “The AT91SAM7 microcontrollers and AT91SAM9 application processors perfectly match the requirements of systems that .NET Micro Framework targets, and are ideally suited for a wide range of applications addressed by .NET Micro Framework.”

NXP Ports .NET Micro Framework Onto LPC2000 Microcontroller

NXP, the independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, announced that the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework has been ported to support NXP’s popular LPC2000 microcontroller family based on the ARM7 processor.

“With support for the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework, we expect to reach a broad range of embedded and desktop developers building feature-rich applications for portable, energy-efficient products,” said Geoff Lees, general manager, Microcontroller Product Line, NXP Semiconductors. “For developers using Microsoft Visual Studio, it’s now easier than ever to use NXP LPC2000 microcontrollers to accelerate the development of applications for small-footprint, low-power devices.”

Adeneo Ports .NET Micro Framework to Atmel and NXP Microcontrollers

Adeneo, a Microsoft Windows® Embedded Gold Partner with facilities in Europe and in the United States, announced that it has ported .NET Micro Framework onto Atmel’s AT91SAM9261 and NXP’s LPC3180 ARM9-based microcontrollers.

These ports demonstrate the ability of Adeneo to offer engineering services to OEMs looking to build home automation, medical, industrial or other products with resource constraints, on the .NET Micro Framework.

SJJ Embedded Micro Solutions Unveils Low-Cost Development Kit for the .NET Micro Framework

SJJ Embedded Micro Solutions, a Windows Embedded Partner, announced the launch of its Embedded Development Kit (EDK) for .NET Micro Framework. The EDK contains a multipurpose development board with the .NET Micro Framework already installed and ready to run C# applications. The kit includes a step-by-step instruction manual to guide engineers, students and hobbyists through the process of developing .NET Micro Framework managed code applications.

EmbeddedFusion Extends Its .NET Micro Framework Product Line

EmbeddedFusion, a provider of integrated hardware and software core solutions for developers of embedded systems, announced the Meridian/B CPU, a lower-cost variant of the existing Meridian/A product. Meridian/B is aimed at .NET Micro Framework devices that do not require liquid crystal display (LCD) or an alternative to the 2.7-inch display supported on the original Meridian CPU. The Meridian/B CPU is suitable for a wide variety of products including Windows SideShow™-enabled devices, industrial monitoring and control devices, instrumentation, medical, security, and home automation products.

The Microsoft Connected Experience

Microsoft has developed a complete embedded product family that supports the extremely diverse needs of the embedded device industry helping to drive smart connected experiences. Microsoft offers three platforms to serve the varied needs of the embedded category: Windows XP Embedded, Windows Embedded CE and the .NET Micro Framework. Microsoft also offers a retail-optimized operating system platform designed for retail point-of-service systems called Windows Embedded for Point of Service, based on the technologies available in Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 2. Microsoft embedded platforms can be found everywhere from computer devices such as cash registers, automated teller machines (ATMs), industrial controllers, gateways, Internet protocol (IP) telephones, server appliances, Windows-based thin clients, advanced consumer electronics, specialized handheld devices and more.



Those interested in learning more about .NET Micro Framework can visit http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/embedded/bb267253.aspx. More information about Windows Embedded is available at http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/embedded/default.mspx.

About .NET Micro Framework

The .NET Micro Framework expands Microsoft’s embedded offerings into a new market of simpler devices that are based on low-cost 32-bit processors and are constrained in terms of memory, battery power or other resources. By providing powerful, modern programming paradigms to this arena, the .NET Micro Framework is aimed at accelerating the innovation of small, connected devices. More information can be found at http://msdn.microsoft.com/embedded/netmf.