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GHI NETMF Products

The document compares three .NET Micro Framework products from GHI Electronics: the USBizi Chip, EMX Module, and ChipworkX Module. It provides details on hardware specifications, firmware features, and example applications for each product. The USBizi Chip is best for simple projects with limited resources, while the EMX and ChipworkX Modules support more complex features and capabilities but have some differences in areas like memory, I/O voltage tolerance, and operating temperature range.

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timjones17
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164 views

GHI NETMF Products

The document compares three .NET Micro Framework products from GHI Electronics: the USBizi Chip, EMX Module, and ChipworkX Module. It provides details on hardware specifications, firmware features, and example applications for each product. The USBizi Chip is best for simple projects with limited resources, while the EMX and ChipworkX Modules support more complex features and capabilities but have some differences in areas like memory, I/O voltage tolerance, and operating temperature range.

Uploaded by

timjones17
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GHI .

NET Micro Framework Products


September 14, 2010 Comparison Document

USBizi Chip

EMX Module

ChipworkX Module

GHI Electronics,LLC

GHI .NET Micro Framework Products Introduction

1. Introduction

1.1. What is Microsoft .NET Micro Framework (NETMF)?


Microsoft .NET Micro Framework is a lightweight implementation of .NET Framework. It focuses on the specific requirements of resource-constrained embedded systems. Supporting development in C# and debugging on an emulation or the device, both using Microsoft's Visual Studio. The .NET Micro Framework is also open source, released under the Apache 2.0 license and completely free. Developers already experienced with .NET and Visual Studio can take advantage of their skills immediately reducing the learning curve. The actual C# application development process is completely shielded from the low-level design details of the hardware platform. Combining the benefits with off-the-shelf, low-cost, network-enabled embedded systems creates a rapid product development solution.

1.2. NETMF - Porting vs. Using


There are two sides to working with NETMF, porting it and using it. For example, writing a JAVA game on a cell phone is much easier than porting the JAVA virtual machine (JVM) to the phone. The phone manufacturer did all the hard work of porting JAVA to their phone allowing the game programmers to use it with ease. NETMF works the same way, porting is not easy but using it is effortless. NETMF can be split into two major components, the core (CLR) and HAL (Hardware Access Layer). The core libraries are made so they are hardware independent. Usually, no modifications are needed on the core libraries. A developer porting NETMF for a hardware platform will need to make the HAL to handle interfacing the hardware control to upper layers. According to GHI's experience with NETMF porting, it is not feasible to work on porting NETMF to your new hardware in case you are targeting medium or low quantities annually (less than 100,000 units). A faster-to-market option is by using one of the available OEM modules/chipsets. These OEM devices have everything you need built in the hardware and software.

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GHI .NET Micro Framework Products Introduction

1.3. GHI's .NET Micro Framework Based Solutions


With GHI Electronics, you're getting an experienced partner that offers a wide range of .NET Micro Framework hardware and software capabilities using the various drop-in modules/chipsets such as ChipworkX, Embedded Master, ChipworkX and USBizi. In addition, our free unlimited support is available to assist you at any point. New features and fixes come seamlessly to your product at no cost to you. On top of the great features that .NET Micro Framework provides, such as Ethernet, graphics and touch screen, GHI solutions has additional exclusive features such as USB host, PPP (GPRS/3G), database and native code runtime libraries (RLP). All these exclusive features are included at no extra cost to you.

2. Selection Guide
Basically, all .NET products have the same .NET Micro Framework core but they defer in hardware capabilities, peripherals and cost. USBizi Chip is the only .NET Micro Framework hardware on a single chip which is a very good solution for many projects that do not require a lot of RAM and FLASH resources such as data loggers, relay controllers, simple MP3 players and USB Host solutions, for example, reading a USB Joystick axis to control a Robot through serial port. EMX Module and ChipworkX Module are used for projects with more complex features and capabilities such as TCP/IP, SSL and Native Graphics Support. They share a lot of capabilities and features but there are few major factors that must be taken into consideration when choosing between them:

JTAG Access: EMX JTAG is disabled by default unlike ChipworkX that can be accessed by JTAG and can be used to download different firmware or to debug
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GHI Electronics,LLC

GHI .NET Micro Framework Products Selection Guide

user native code.

Code Protection: ChipworkX user code is exposed since JTAG access in enabled. EMX and USBizi, they are the only secure systems available because JTAG access is disabled. Runtime Loadable Procedure: A very useful and unique feature in ChipworkX and EMX allowing users to load their own compiled native code (C or assembly) to run directly through managed Micro Framework application, similarly to DLLs on PCs. Developing RLP code on EMX requires JTAG access which is locked by default and it is available only for select customers. Flash Storage: ChipworkX hardware is designed to host FAT file system and Database on a 256 MByte included in Module which is very useful when SD card cannot be used in some environments. Database: ChipworkX supports SQLite database which can be used for easy data logging and inquiring. EMX Module does not support databases. Operating Temperature: EMX Hardware is designed to work in very harsh environments that fit industrial machines and outdoor tools with -40 to +85 operation temp. On the other hand, ChipworkX Module works in a regular environment that fits many home or office use products, with 0 to +70 operation temp. Vibration Environment: EMX Hardware is surface mount design which enables it to work in high vibration environments. On the other hand, ChipworkX hardware is a standard plug-in SO-DIMM200 module. Voltage Tolerance: Both modules operate on regulated 3.3 Volts. but EMX IOs are 5 Volts tolerant, whereas, ChipworkX is 3.3 Volts tolerant only.

The following section illustrates the main differences between these three products.

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GHI Electronics,LLC

GHI .NET Micro Framework Products Comparison Tables

3. Comparison Tables

3.1. Hardware Comparison


Only main features are listed in the following table. User Manuals include full details. Feature Package Dimensions Operating Temperature Power Consumption Low Power Mode Lead Free RoHS Compliant Core Processor Core Processor Architecture Max. clock speed RAM Flash Internal Flash with File System Power Voltage IO voltage USB Host USB Client Programmable IOs Embedded LCD Controller Ethernet PHY USBizi LQFP100/144 LQFP100/144 -40 to +85 100 mA 200 uA Yes LPC2388 or LPC2387 32-bit ARM7 72MHz. 96 Kilo Bytes 512 Kilo Bytes N/A 3.3 Volts 5 volt tolerant one port one port 61 N/A No
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EMX 104-pin SMT module 1.55"x1.80" -40 to +85 160 mA 40 mA Yes LPC2478 32-bit ARM7 72MHz. 16 Mega Bytes 4.5 Mega Bytes N/A 3.3 Volts 5 volt tolerant one port one port 76 Yes Yes

ChipworkX SO-DIMM200 67.6mm x47mm 0 to +70 ?? mA ?? mA Yes AT91SAM926 1S 32-bit ARM9 200MHz. 64 Mega Bytes 8 Mega Bytes 256 Mega Bytes 3.3 Volts 3.3 volts only two ports one port 80 Yes Yes
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GHI Electronics,LLC

GHI .NET Micro Framework Products Comparison Tables

Feature UART (serial) SPI I2C SD/MMC controller (MCI) JTAG Controller Area Network (CAN) ADC DAC RTC PWM 4 2 1

USBizi 4 2 1

EMX 3 2 1

ChipworkX

4-bit SD bus N/A 2 Channels

4-bit SD bus Yes (disabled by default) 2 Channels

SPI bus Yes N/A N/A N/A Yes 1

10-bit with 6 input 10-bit with 7 input multiplexing multiplexing one 10-bit Yes 6 one 10-bit Yes 5

3.2. Firmware Features Comparison


Only main features are listed in the following table. User Manuals include full details. : Supported x: Not Supported and will not be supported Feature Microsoft .NET Micro Framework V4.0 Microsoft Windows Side Show Runtime Loadable Procedure (compiled C or assembly) Database Support TFT LCD Display VGA Display USBizi x x x x x EMX x (480x480) ChipworkX Requires Frame generator chip

GPIO Touch Screen TCP/IP

x (Through WIZnet W5100)

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GHI .NET Micro Framework Products Comparison Tables

Feature ZG2100 WiFi Driver COMx (serial) SPIx I2C One-wire PWM FAT File System SD/MMC/SDHC Piezo ADC DAC CAN USB Host USB Hub Support USB Device (Client) Bootup Image/Logo Native Register Access SSL DPWS PPP - PAP authentication In-Field Update Managed Application Protection Battery RAM

USBizi x FAT/FAT32 x x x x x 2 Kilo Bytes

EMX FAT/FAT32 2 Kilo Bytes

ChipworkX FAT/FAT32 x Requires TSC2046 x x x 16 Bytes Backup Registers

User Controlled WatchDog

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GHI Electronics,LLC

GHI .NET Micro Framework Products Example Applications

4. Example Applications
USBizi Chip: Data logger. MP3 player. Measurement tool or tester. Robotics. GPS navigation. Medical instrumentation. Industrial automation devices. EMX Module: Designs with intensive processing or time-critical routines (using RLP) Vending machine Measurement tool or tester Network server device Robotics GPS navigation Medical instrument (with a color touch screen display). Central alarm system Smart appliances Industrial automation devices Windows SideShow devices ChipworkX Module: Designs with intensive processing or time-critical routines (using RLP) Vending machine Measurement tool or tester Network server device Robotics GPS navigation Medical instrument (with a color touch screen display). Central alarm system Smart appliances Industrial automation devices Windows SideShow devices

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