.NET MF 快速问答

What is the vision for this platform with embedded development?

To extend Microsoft? Visual Studio? tools and the .NET platform to enable smaller, resource-constrained devices and provide our customers with a complete range of embedded solutions.

What processors does the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework run on?

Smart Watches for MSN? Direct use a 27MHz ARM7-based processor. Windows Vista? SideShow devices use ARM7 and ARM9-based processors running at a variety of speeds. Microsoft TV Foundation Edition runs on set-top boxes that use a Motorola processor. Microsoft is actively working with semiconductor vendors to bring .NET Micro Framework to new processors.

Is there "overlap" between Microsoft .NET Micro Framework and Microsoft .NET Compact Framwork?

Yes, there are some devices where one could choose either one. This is similar to the overlap between Microsoft Windows? CE and Microsoft Windows XP Embedded. We think continuity is critical when choosing a platform, and when .NET Micro Framework becomes available, the .NET architecture will span from big iron multiprocessor servers to very small and inexpensive devices.

How big is Microsoft .NET Micro Framework?

Depending on the features and processor, .NET Micro Framework varies from under 512KB (kilobytes) to about 1MB (megabyte), excluding font resources. The .NET Micro Framework can execute directly from ROM or Flash memory.

When will we see devices based on Microsoft .NET Micro Framework?

Smart Watches for MSN Direct are based on the .NET Micro Framework, and we look forward to the upcoming release of Windows Vista SideShow. We are working with several companies on reference platforms for SideShow: Freescale, Winbond, and Portal Player. In addition, we are pleased to be currently working with ARM, Digi, E-TrolZ, to bring these technologies to new applications.

Is Microsoft .NET Micro Framework real-time?

Although .NET Micro Framework is not real-time, it can be run as a client of a real-time operating system so that other system functionality can be real-time. We recommend Microsoft Windows CE for the development and deployment of real-time applications.

Is this the same platform that's in the current Smart Watches? What is the difference?

MSN Direct Smart Watches are based on an earlier internal-only version of the technologies that power the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework. The .NET Micro Framework does not include product-specific extensions and applications, such as the Microsoft DirectBand? network interface, glanceable UI shell, applications, etc. It is an application framework tailored to embedded devices (i.e., horizontal, not vertical).

Does this mean Microsoft scales up/down to all levels of embedded devices from large to tiny?

Microsoft has a complete offering for developers, ranging from a tiny bootable runtime (Microsoft .NET Micro Framework) to more midsize (Microsoft Windows CE with .NET Compact Framework) to full-blown enterprise embedded offerings (Microsoft Windows XP Embedded).

Are devices built on all varieties of Microsoft .NET Framework compatible with each other? Are there benefits for having different varieties of embedded devices built on different platforms working together?

There are differences in libraries, storage, and advanced language features that developers need to be aware of if they are going to have one set of code run on multiple types of devices running .NET Micro Framework. This is an early technology preview, and details will be announced when the platform is officially announced.