The .NET Micro Framework Version 4.1 Beta is now available.
This is our first post-Open Source release and includes our first fixes and features contributed by the community. In addition, there are a number of enhancements done by the NETMF team here at Microsoft and there are new processors available from a new partner.
Here is the list of feature changes:
1) VS2010 compatibility, with support for C# express as before.
2) Multi-targeting support for VS2010: from .NET MF 4.1 SDK it is possible to target version3.0 and version 4.0 .NET MF applications as well. This means that you don't have to migrate your solutions immediately to use the new features of version 4.1 SDK
3) Improved application diagnostics for code size, available at deployment, and memory requirements, available programatically through Microsoft.SPOT.Reflection.GetAssemblyMemoryInfo()
4) DPWS changes and new samples. Windows 7 and WCF 4.0 full compatibility and discoverability. Support for DPWS custom bindings.
5) Hashtable implementation for the standard typein System.Collections. This feature was contributed by Eric Harlow through the .NET Micro Framework community acknowledging the original idea from Rob Miles and extensive support from Jan Kučera.
6) SPI interface changes for added flexibility and perfromace
7) Support for Big Endian processors - this enables a number of processors that we could not support in the past. The result is seen in item #11 below.
8) Port for Atmel microcontroller SAM7S256 with 256Kb ROM and 64Kb RAM - this enables some really small applications
9) Basic support for lwIP TCP/IP open source stack: TCP/IP tested, work on this will continue through the beta. The current EBSnet stack will continue to be available and I will write a separate description of how that will look.
10) Basic support for OpenSSL open source stack for SSL: certificate parsing and cryptographic support compiling and tested, work on this will continue through the beta
11) 4 ports for Renesas SH2/A processors and development boards: SH7216_RSK, SH7264_M3A_HS64, SH7264_RSK, SH7619_EVB
Since Renesas processors are new to our lineup - here is a brief description:
<SH7264>
Including SH2A-FPU core @144MHz and on-chip large capacity RAM. It has on-chip abundant connectivity
functions such as Hi-speed USB/SD Host/CAN, and on the top of that it has on-chip peripheral functions
such as display controller suitable for industrial equipments and various communication equipments.
<SH7216>
Including SH2A-FPU core @200MHz and on-chip Flash memory.It has on-chip abundant connectivity functions
such as USB/CAN/Ether, and on top of that it has on-chip peripheral functions such as multi-function timer
units for Motor control and 12 bit A/D converters suitable for industrial equipments and various communication
equipments such as office automation and personal computers.
<SH7619>
Including SH-2 core @125MHz. It has on-chip Ethernet controller and Ethernet PHY.
It has on-chip host interface fuction suitable for connecting another microcontroller.
Go to https://connect.microsoft.com/directory/non-feedback and sign up for the .NET Micro Framework 4.1 beta by navigating to it in the listing and clicking on 'Apply Now'. Please give us your feedback on the Connect site at the version 4.1 Beta newsgroup.
Comments
Anonymous
May 29, 2010
I can't seem to sign up for the beta ... is it closed or ?Anonymous
May 31, 2010
The beta is still open. Can you tell me what kind of problem you are experiencing?Anonymous
June 01, 2010
I don't see the beta listed on the connect page you posted a link to.Anonymous
June 01, 2010
Sorry, I found it, but it's not listed as having anything to do with 4.1 on the homepage. I went to connect.microsoft.com/netmf and clicked on Downloads to find the download.Anonymous
June 01, 2010
The directory defaults to projects accepting feedback and the default for projects is to not accept feedback. I am working on getting that changed. I'm glad you found it. I'll update the blog.Anonymous
June 03, 2010
Where did you find a download link?Anonymous
June 04, 2010
I have gotten some inconsistent results which seem to depend on whether you are already signed in, already a member of the NETMF community, and some things that are not apparent to me. Let me give you some options and hopefully one will work for you: connect.microsoft.com/.../non-feedback will get you to the directory and you can serach for '.NET Micro Framework' or simple sort the entries by the program name whcih brings .NET entries to the top. connect.microsoft.com/netmf should get to the .NET Micro Framework program page and you can select 'Download' on the left. Let me know if none fo these work.Anonymous
June 06, 2010
When I visit 'connect.microsoft.com/netmf&, on the left hand side I only see: NET Micro Framework Home Newsgroups Surveys I cannot see a download link?Anonymous
June 06, 2010
Apologies - I have found it now. Sign in. Click on "View Connect products currently not accepting feedback " on the left Apply to .NET Micro Framework Beta And Download is listed there :)Anonymous
June 10, 2010
Hi, So ... now I found this, searched the site before, dont know what went wrong. Now when I apply, and just get this empty page ... nothing ... is there a delay in the apply process on the servers maybe ... I get this blank page: ifyoudo.net/.../micro-0.png mvhAnonymous
June 10, 2010
That is a new one. In the past, it has never taken more than 20 minutes for the files to propogate. I am assuming that there is some system update in progress that is disrupting normal operation. Especially if blank pages are being served up. I looked this morning and our page for the program is still there. I am still waiting for the status page on the file deployment to update. Please be patient.Anonymous
June 11, 2010
Okay ... I will wait then :-) I have a presentation on Tuesday, that could be cool if I could make in VS 2010, which I have read .NET MF 4.1 should support. But I will key an eye on the page and this blog ... .NET to the embedded world rox, instead of C++ :-) mvhAnonymous
June 11, 2010
The siles are all showing as available at this point so let me know if there are any persisting access issues. We want you to do your presentation in VS 2010 as well.Anonymous
June 12, 2010
Hi, Its working now ... I just need to test that my project can compile with 4.1 now. Thanks for the help. mvhAnonymous
June 23, 2010
Any plans to make the port to Atmel SAM3S processor? Or do you have any additional resources on this processor? ThanksAnonymous
June 25, 2010
At this point, the SAM3s does not have enough RAM to support the Micro Framework internally. We need at least 64K. We also depend on the silicon providers to do the ports so I'd contact your Atmel sales person.
