Here’s an interview that appeared on “Ask an Engineer” with Chris Walker from netduino – CHOCK FULL OF INFO!
NEW PRODUCT! netduino (.NET-programmable microcontroller) – Netduino is an open source electronics platform using the .NET Micro Framework. Featuring a 32-bit microcontroller and a rich development environment. Suitable for engineers and hobbyists alike.
Input! Output! Interface with switches, sensors, LEDs, serial devices, and more. Netduino offers 20 GPIOs combined with SPI, I2C, 2 UARTs (1 RTS/CTS), 4 PWM channels and 6 ADC channels. Code! Debug! Repeat! .NET Micro Framework combines the ease of high-level coding and the raw features of microcontrollers. Enjoy event-based programming, multi-threading, line-by-line debugging, breakpoints and more.
To get a glimpse of how its done, check out the basic ‘getting started’ guide You can even now use the Netduino on Linux & Mac computer using open source Mono instead of .NET
And its very expandable just like the Arduino! 3rd-party accessories offer pre-built functionality like GPS location, servo control and battery power. Netduino is also pin-compatible with shields. 3rd-party drivers are required for some Arduino shields. Design files included. Netduino is an open source electronics platform. All design files and source code are included. Learn from the designs. Remix, and enjoy the
freedom of open source. Comes with a free microUSB cable and 4 rubber bumpers.
Just out of curiosity, can you delete the whole C# engine from the Netduino, leaving you with a 512K bare ARM-based board?
Hi WestfW,
Yes, you can absolutely erase the Netduino and reprogram it with anything you’d like. We encourage Netduino hacking and there are quite a few people building native code (using all 512KB of flash and 128KB of RAM) as well as running alternative platforms like FreeRTOS.
The ERASE pad on the Netduino and Netduino Plus is a small gold square in the top-right corner underneath pin D0. On the Netduino Mini, it’s on the bottom-left right next to pin 12.
Once you erase the Netduino, you can program it via USB or RS232 using Atmel SAM-BA on Windows or Linux (or one of the open SAM-BA alternatives…I’ve heard that MCHelper works). One caution: .NET MF does debugging over USB, so there’s no JTAG on board.
Chris
Neat. So is this some sort of “introductory” price? How are you selling a $20 CPU on a 4-layer board at “about” the same price as Arduino’s $5 CPU on a 2-layer board?