.NET nanoFramework SX127X LoRa library Basic Receive & Transmit

For testing nanoFramework device transmit and receive functionality I used an Arduino/Seeeduino with a Dragino LoRa Shield (running one of the Arduino-LoRa samples) as a client device. This was so I could “bootstrap” connectivity and test interoperability with other libraries/platforms.

Arduino/Netduino devices for .NET nanoFramework interoperability test-rig

I started with transmit as I was confident my Seeeduino + Dragino LoRa Shield could receive messages. The TransmitBasic application puts the device into LoRa + Sleep mode as after reset/powering up the device is in FSK/OOK, Low Frequency + Standby mode).

SX127X RegOpMode options

After loading the message to be sent into the First In First Out(FIFO) buffer, the RegOpMode-Mode is set to Transmit(TX-011), and then the RegIrqFlags register is polled until the TxDone flag is set.

SX127X ReqIrqFlags options
public static void Main()
{
  int SendCount = 0;
...
  Debug.WriteLine("devMobile.IoT.SX127x.TransmitBasic starting");

   try
   {
...
#if NETDUINO3_WIFI || ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
      SX127XDevice sx127XDevice = new SX127XDevice(SpiBusId, chipSelectLine, resetPinNumber);
#endif
     Thread.Sleep(500);

     // Put device into LoRa + Standby mode
     sx127XDevice.WriteByte(0x01, 0b10000000); // RegOpMode 

      // Set the frequency to 915MHz
      byte[] frequencyBytes = { 0xE4, 0xC0, 0x00 }; // RegFrMsb, RegFrMid, RegFrLsb
      sx127XDevice.WriteBytes(0x06, frequencyBytes);

      // More power PA Boost
      sx127XDevice.WriteByte(0x09, 0b10000000); // RegPaConfig

      sx127XDevice.RegisterDump();

      while (true)
      {
         sx127XDevice.WriteByte(0x0E, 0x0); // RegFifoTxBaseAddress 

         // Set the Register Fifo address pointer
         sx127XDevice.WriteByte(0x0D, 0x0); // RegFifoAddrPtr 

         string messageText = $"Hello LoRa from .NET nanoFramework {SendCount += 1}!";

         // load the message into the fifo
         byte[] messageBytes = UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(messageText);
         sx127XDevice.WriteBytes(0x0, messageBytes); // RegFifo

         // Set the length of the message in the fifo
         sx127XDevice.WriteByte(0x22, (byte)messageBytes.Length); // RegPayloadLength

         Debug.WriteLine($"Sending {messageBytes.Length} bytes message {messageText}");
         // Set the mode to LoRa + Transmit
         sx127XDevice.WriteByte(0x01, 0b10000011); // RegOpMode 

         // Wait until send done, no timeouts in PoC
         Debug.WriteLine("Send-wait");
         byte irqFlags = sx127XDevice.ReadByte(0x12); // RegIrqFlags
         while ((irqFlags & 0b00001000) == 0)  // wait until TxDone cleared
         {
            Thread.Sleep(10);
            irqFlags = sx127XDevice.ReadByte(0x12); // RegIrqFlags
            Debug.Write(".");
         }
         Debug.WriteLine("");
         sx127XDevice.WriteByte(0x12, 0b00001000); // clear TxDone bit
         Debug.WriteLine("Send-Done");

         Thread.Sleep(30000);
         }
      }
      catch (Exception ex)
      {
         Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
      }
   }
}
Transmit Basic application output

Once the TransmitBasic application was sending messages reliably I started working on the ReceiveBasic application. As the ReceiveBasic application starts up the SX127X RegOpMode has to be set to sleep/standby so the device can be configured. TOnce that is completed RegOpMode-Mode is set to RxContinuous(101), and the RegIrqFlags register is polled until the RxDone flag is set.

public static void Main()
{
...
   Debug.WriteLine("devMobile.IoT.SX127x.ReceiveBasic starting");

   try
   {
...
#if NETDUINO3_WIFI || ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
      SX127XDevice sx127XDevice = new SX127XDevice(SpiBusId, chipSelectLine, resetPinNumber);
#endif
      Thread.Sleep(500);

      // Put device into LoRa + Sleep mode
      sx127XDevice.WriteByte(0x01, 0b10000000); // RegOpMode 

      // Set the frequency to 915MHz
      byte[] frequencyBytes = { 0xE4, 0xC0, 0x00 }; // RegFrMsb, RegFrMid, RegFrLsb
      sx127XDevice.WriteBytes(0x06, frequencyBytes);

      sx127XDevice.WriteByte(0x0F, 0x0); // RegFifoRxBaseAddress 

      sx127XDevice.WriteByte(0x01, 0b10000101); // RegOpMode set LoRa & RxContinuous

       while (true)
       {
          // Wait until a packet is received, no timeouts in PoC
         Debug.WriteLine("Receive-Wait");
         byte irqFlags = sx127XDevice.ReadByte(0x12); // RegIrqFlags
         while ((irqFlags & 0b01000000) == 0)  // wait until RxDone cleared
         {
            Thread.Sleep(100);
            irqFlags = sx127XDevice.ReadByte(0x12); // RegIrqFlags
            Debug.Write(".");
         }
         Debug.WriteLine("");
         Debug.WriteLine($"RegIrqFlags 0X{irqFlags:X2}");
         Debug.WriteLine("Receive-Message");
         byte currentFifoAddress = sx127XDevice.ReadByte(0x10); // RegFifiRxCurrent
         sx127XDevice.WriteByte(0x0d, currentFifoAddress); // RegFifoAddrPtr

         byte numberOfBytes = sx127XDevice.ReadByte(0x13); // RegRxNbBytes

         // Read the message from the FIFO
         byte[] messageBytes = sx127XDevice.ReadBytes(0x00, numberOfBytes);

         sx127XDevice.WriteByte(0x0d, 0);
         sx127XDevice.WriteByte(0x12, 0b11111111); // RegIrqFlags clear all the bits

         // Remove unprintable characters from messages
         for (int index = 0; index < messageBytes.Length; index++)
         {
            if ((messageBytes[index] < 0x20) || (messageBytes[index] > 0x7E))
            {
               messageBytes[index] = 0x20;
            }
         }

         string messageText = UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetString(messageBytes, 0, messageBytes.Length);
         Debug.WriteLine($"Received {messageBytes.Length} byte message {messageText}");

         Debug.WriteLine("Receive-Done");
      }
    }
   catch (Exception ex)
   {
      Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
   }
}
Receive Basic application output

Every so often the ReceiveBasic application would display a message sent on the same frequency by a device somewhere nearby.

ReceiveBasic application messages from unknown source

I need to do some more investigation into whether writing 0b00001000 (Transmit) vs. 0b11111111(Receive) to RegIrqFlags is important.

.NET nanoFramework SX127X LoRa library Read & Write

Now that I could reliably dump all the Dragino shield registers I wanted to be able to configure the Semtech 127X device and reset it back to factory settings. A factory reset is done by strobing the SX127X reset pin.

SX127X Reset timing diagram

SX127X Reset process

To support this I added a constructor with an additional parameter for the reset General Purpose Input Output(GPIO) pin number to the SX127XDevice class. The original constructor was retained as the SX127X reset pin is not connected on the SparkFun LoRa Gateway-1-Channel (ESP32) and a limited number of other devices.

namespace devMobile.IoT.SX127x.RegisterReadAndWrite
{
   using System;
   using System.Diagnostics;
   using System.Threading;

   using System.Device.Gpio;
   using System.Device.Spi;

#if ESP32_WROOM_32_LORA_1_CHANNEL
   using nanoFramework.Hardware.Esp32;
#endif

   public sealed class SX127XDevice
   {
      private const byte RegisterAddressMinimum = 0X0;
      private const byte RegisterAddressMaximum = 0x42;
      private const byte RegisterAddressReadMask = 0X7f;
      private const byte RegisterAddressWriteMask = 0x80;

      private readonly SpiDevice SX127XTransceiver;

      public SX127XDevice(int busId, int chipSelectLine, int resetPin)
      {
         var settings = new SpiConnectionSettings(busId, chipSelectLine)
         {
            ClockFrequency = 1000000,
            Mode = SpiMode.Mode0,// From SemTech docs pg 80 CPOL=0, CPHA=0
            SharingMode = SpiSharingMode.Shared
         };

         SX127XTransceiver = new SpiDevice(settings);

         // Factory reset pin configuration
         GpioController gpioController = new GpioController();
         gpioController.OpenPin(resetPin, PinMode.Output);

         gpioController.Write(resetPin, PinValue.Low);
         Thread.Sleep(20);
         gpioController.Write(resetPin, PinValue.High);
         Thread.Sleep(20);
      }

      public SX127XDevice(int busId, int chipSelectLine)
      {
         var settings = new SpiConnectionSettings(busId, chipSelectLine)
         {
            ClockFrequency = 1000000,
            Mode = SpiMode.Mode0,// From SemTech docs pg 80 CPOL=0, CPHA=0
            SharingMode = SpiSharingMode.Shared,
         };

         SX127XTransceiver = new SpiDevice(settings);
      }

      public Byte ReadByte(byte registerAddress)
      {
         byte[] writeBuffer = new byte[] { registerAddress &= RegisterAddressReadMask, 0x0 };
         byte[] readBuffer = new byte[writeBuffer.Length];

         SX127XTransceiver.TransferFullDuplex(writeBuffer, readBuffer);

         return readBuffer[1];
      }

      public ushort ReadWord(byte address)
      {
         byte[] writeBuffer = new byte[] { address &= RegisterAddressReadMask, 0x0, 0x0 };
         byte[] readBuffer = new byte[writeBuffer.Length];

         SX127XTransceiver.TransferFullDuplex(writeBuffer, readBuffer);

         return (ushort)(readBuffer[2] + (readBuffer[1] << 8));
      }

      public ushort ReadWordMsbLsb(byte address)
      {
         byte[] writeBuffer = new byte[] { address &= RegisterAddressReadMask, 0x0, 0x0 };
         byte[] readBuffer = new byte[writeBuffer.Length];

         SX127XTransceiver.TransferFullDuplex(writeBuffer, readBuffer);

         return (ushort)((readBuffer[1] << 8) + readBuffer[2]);
      }

      public byte[] ReadBytes(byte address, byte length)
      {
         byte[] writeBuffer = new byte[length + 1];
         byte[] readBuffer = new byte[writeBuffer.Length];
         byte[] replyBuffer = new byte[length];

         writeBuffer[0] = address &= RegisterAddressReadMask;

         SX127XTransceiver.TransferFullDuplex(writeBuffer, readBuffer);

         Array.Copy(readBuffer, 1, replyBuffer, 0, length);

         return replyBuffer;
      }

      public void WriteByte(byte address, byte value)
      {
         byte[] writeBuffer = new byte[] { address |= RegisterAddressWriteMask, value };
         byte[] readBuffer = new byte[writeBuffer.Length];

         SX127XTransceiver.TransferFullDuplex(writeBuffer, readBuffer);
      }

      public void WriteWord(byte address, ushort value)
      {
         byte[] valueBytes = BitConverter.GetBytes(value);
         byte[] writeBuffer = new byte[] { address |= RegisterAddressWriteMask, valueBytes[0], valueBytes[1] };
         byte[] readBuffer = new byte[writeBuffer.Length];

         SX127XTransceiver.TransferFullDuplex(writeBuffer, readBuffer);
      }

      public void WriteWordMsbLsb(byte address, ushort value)
      {
         byte[] valueBytes = BitConverter.GetBytes(value);
         byte[] writeBuffer = new byte[] { address |= RegisterAddressWriteMask, valueBytes[1], valueBytes[0] };
         byte[] readBuffer = new byte[writeBuffer.Length];

         SX127XTransceiver.TransferFullDuplex(writeBuffer, readBuffer);
      }

      public void WriteBytes(byte address, byte[] bytes)
      {
         byte[] writeBuffer = new byte[1 + bytes.Length];
         byte[] readBuffer = new byte[writeBuffer.Length];

         Array.Copy(bytes, 0, writeBuffer, 1, bytes.Length);
         writeBuffer[0] = address |= RegisterAddressWriteMask;

         SX127XTransceiver.TransferFullDuplex(writeBuffer, readBuffer);
      }

      public void RegisterDump()
      {
         Debug.WriteLine("Register dump");
         for (byte registerIndex = RegisterAddressMinimum; registerIndex <= RegisterAddressMaximum; registerIndex++)
         {
            byte registerValue = this.ReadByte(registerIndex);

            Debug.WriteLine($"Register 0x{registerIndex:x2} - Value 0X{registerValue:x2}");
         }

         Debug.WriteLine("");
      }
   }

   public class Program
   {
#if ESP32_WROOM_32_LORA_1_CHANNEL
      private const int SpiBusId = 1;
#endif
#if NETDUINO3_WIFI
      private const int SpiBusId = 2;
#endif
#if ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
      private const int SpiBusId = 2;
#endif


      public static void Main()
      {
         byte[] frequencyBytes;
#if ESP32_WROOM_32_LORA_1_CHANNEL // No reset line for this device as it isn't connected on SX127X
         int chipSelectLine = Gpio.IO16;
#endif
#if NETDUINO3_WIFI
         // Arduino D10->PB10
         int chipSelectLine = PinNumber('B', 10);
         // Arduino D9->PE5
         int resetPinNumber = PinNumber('E', 5);
#endif
#if ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
         // Arduino D10->PA11
         int chipSelectLine = PinNumber('A', 11);
         // Arduino D9->PH6
         int resetPinNumber = PinNumber('H', 6);
#endif

         Debug.WriteLine("devMobile.IoT.SX127x.RegisterReadAndWrite starting");

         try
         {
#if ESP32_WROOM_32_LORA_1_CHANNEL
            Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO12, DeviceFunction.SPI1_MISO);
            Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO13, DeviceFunction.SPI1_MOSI);
            Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO14, DeviceFunction.SPI1_CLOCK);

            SX127XDevice sx127XDevice = new SX127XDevice(SpiBusId, chipSelectLine);
#endif
#if NETDUINO3_WIFI || ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
            SX127XDevice sx127XDevice = new SX127XDevice(SpiBusId, chipSelectLine, resetPinNumber);
#endif
            Thread.Sleep(500);

            sx127XDevice.RegisterDump();

            while (true)
            {
               Debug.WriteLine("Read RegOpMode (read byte)");
               Byte regOpMode1 = sx127XDevice.ReadByte(0x1);
               Debug.WriteLine($"RegOpMode 0x{regOpMode1:x2}");

               Debug.WriteLine("Set LoRa mode and sleep mode (write byte)");
               sx127XDevice.WriteByte(0x01, 0b10000000);

               Debug.WriteLine("Read RegOpMode (read byte)");
               Byte regOpMode2 = sx127XDevice.ReadByte(0x1);
               Debug.WriteLine($"RegOpMode 0x{regOpMode2:x2}");

               Debug.WriteLine("Read the preamble (read word)");
               ushort preamble = sx127XDevice.ReadWord(0x20);
               Debug.WriteLine($"Preamble 0x{preamble:x2}");

	            Console.WriteLine("Read the preamble (read word)"); // Should be 0x08
			      preamble = sx127XDevice.ReadWordMsbLsb(0x20);
               Debug.WriteLine($"Preamble 0x{preamble:x2}");

               Debug.WriteLine("Read the centre frequency (read byte array)");
               frequencyBytes = sx127XDevice.ReadBytes(0x06, 3);
               Debug.WriteLine($"Frequency Msb 0x{frequencyBytes[0]:x2} Mid 0x{frequencyBytes[1]:x2} Lsb 0x{frequencyBytes[2]:x2}");

               Debug.WriteLine("Set the centre frequency to 915MHz (write byte array)");
               byte[] frequencyWriteBytes = { 0xE4, 0xC0, 0x00 };
               sx127XDevice.WriteBytes(0x06, frequencyWriteBytes);

               Debug.WriteLine("Read the centre frequency (read byte array)");
               frequencyBytes = sx127XDevice.ReadBytes(0x06, 3);
               Debug.WriteLine($"Frequency Msb 0x{frequencyBytes[0]:x2} Mid 0x{frequencyBytes[1]:x2} Lsb 0x{frequencyBytes[2]:x2}");

               sx127XDevice.RegisterDump();

               Thread.Sleep(30000);
            }
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
            Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
         }
      }

#if NETDUINO3_WIFI || ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
      static int PinNumber(char port, byte pin)
      {
         if (port < 'A' || port > 'J')
            throw new ArgumentException();

         return ((port - 'A') * 16) + pin;
      }
#endif
   }
}

The PinNumber helper is more user friendly that the raw numbers and is “inspired” by sample .NET nanoFramework General Purpose Input Output(GPIO) sample code.

Each method was tested by read/writing suitable register(s) in the device configuration (Needed to set it into LoRa mode first).

The next step is to extract the Serial Peripheral Interface(SPI) register access functionality into a module and configure the bare minimum of settings required to get the SX127X to receive and transmit messages.

.NET nanoFramework SX127X LoRa library Registers

Over the years I have ported my HopeRF RFM9X(Now a generic Semtech SX127X ) Windows 10 IoT Core (May 2018) library to .NET microFramework(May 2018), Wilderness Labs Meadow(Jan 2020), GHI Electronics TinyCLR-OS(July 2020), .NET nanoFramework V1(May 2020) and .NET Core(Aug 2021).

All this madness started because I wasn’t confident the frequency calculation of the Emmellsoft Dragino.Lora code was correct. Over the last couple of years I have also found bugs in my Transmit Power, InvertIQ RX/TX with many others yet to be discovered.

For my updated .NET nanoFramework port I have mainly used a half a dozen Dragino LoRa shields for Arduino and Netduino 3 Wifi devices I had lying around. I have also tested the code with SparkFun LoRa Gateway-1-Channel (ESP32) and ST 32F769IDiscovery devices.

STM32F769IDiscovery, Netduino 3 Wifi, and SparkFun LoRa Gateway-1-Channel (ESP32) devices

The Dragino shield uses D10 for chip select, D2 for RFM9X DI0 interrupt and D9 for Reset.

Dragino Arduino LoRa Shield Schematic

Netduino 3 Wifi pin mapping

  • D10->CS->PB10
  • D9->RST->E5

ST 32F769IDiscovery pin mapping

D10->CS->PA11
D9->RST->PH6

Sparkfun ESP32 1 Channel Gateway Schematic

SparkFun LoRa Gateway-1-Channel (ESP32) pin mapping(SX127X reset is not connected)

  • CS->PB10

The first step was to confirm I could read a single(ShieldSPI) then scan all the Semtech SX1276 registers with the new nanoFramework System.Device.SPI Nuget (which was”inspired by” .Net Core System.Device.SPI)

namespace devMobile.IoT.SX127x.ShieldSPI
{
   using System;
   using System.Diagnostics;
   using System.Threading;

   using System.Device.Gpio;
   using System.Device.Spi;

#if ESP32_WROOM_32_LORA_1_CHANNEL
   using nanoFramework.Hardware.Esp32;
#endif

   public class Program
   {
      private const byte RegVersion = 0x42;
#if ESP32_WROOM_32_LORA_1_CHANNEL
      private const int SpiBusId = 1;
#endif
#if NETDUINO3_WIFI
      private const int SpiBusId = 2;
#endif
#if ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
      private const int SpiBusId = 2;
#endif

      public static void Main()
      {
         GpioController gpioController = new GpioController();

#if ESP32_WROOM_32_LORA_1_CHANNEL // No reset line for this device as it isn't connected on SX127X
         int ledPinNumber = Gpio.IO17;
         int chipSelectLine = Gpio.IO16;
#endif
#if NETDUINO3_WIFI
         int ledPinNumber = PinNumber('A', 10);
         // Arduino D10->PB10
         int chipSelectLine = PinNumber('B', 10);
         // Arduino D9->PE5
         int resetPinNumber = PinNumber('E', 5);
#endif
#if ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
         int ledPinNumber  = PinNumber('J', 5);
         // Arduino D10->PA11
         int chipSelectLine = PinNumber('A', 11);
         // Arduino D9->PH6
         int resetPinNumber = PinNumber('H', 6);
#endif
         Debug.WriteLine("devMobile.IoT.SX127x.ShieldSPI starting");

         try
         {
#if ESP32_WROOM_32_LORA_1_CHANNEL || NETDUINO3_WIFI || ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
            // Setup the onboard LED
            gpioController.OpenPin(ledPinNumber, PinMode.Output);
#endif

#if NETDUINO3_WIFI || ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
            // Setup the reset pin
            gpioController.OpenPin(resetPinNumber, PinMode.Output);
            gpioController.Write(resetPinNumber, PinValue.High);
#endif

#if ESP32_WROOM_32_LORA_1_CHANNEL
            Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO12, DeviceFunction.SPI1_MISO);
            Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO13, DeviceFunction.SPI1_MOSI);
            Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO14, DeviceFunction.SPI1_CLOCK);
#endif

            var settings = new SpiConnectionSettings(SpiBusId, chipSelectLine)
            {
               ClockFrequency = 1000000,
               Mode = SpiMode.Mode0,// From SemTech docs pg 80 CPOL=0, CPHA=0
               SharingMode = SpiSharingMode.Shared,
            };

            using (SpiDevice device = SpiDevice.Create(settings))
            {
               Thread.Sleep(500);

               while (true)
               {
                  byte[] writeBuffer = new byte[] { RegVersion, 0x0 };
                  byte[] readBuffer = new byte[writeBuffer.Length];

                  device.TransferFullDuplex(writeBuffer, readBuffer);

                  Debug.WriteLine(String.Format("Register 0x{0:x2} - Value 0X{1:x2}", RegVersion, readBuffer[1]));

#if ESP32_WROOM_32_LORA_1_CHANNEL || NETDUINO3_WIFI || ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
                  if ( gpioController.Read(ledPinNumber) == PinValue.High)
						{
                     gpioController.Write(ledPinNumber, PinValue.Low);
                  }
                  else
						{
                     gpioController.Write(ledPinNumber, PinValue.High);
                  }
#endif
                  Thread.Sleep(10000);
               }
            }
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
            Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
         }
      }

#if NETDUINO3_WIFI || ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
      static int PinNumber(char port, byte pin)
      {
         if (port < 'A' || port > 'J')
            throw new ArgumentException();

         return ((port - 'A') * 16) + pin;
      }
#endif
   }
}
Shield SPI Debug output
namespace devMobile.IoT.SX127x.RegisterScan
{
   using System;
   using System.Diagnostics;
   using System.Threading;

   using System.Device.Gpio;
   using System.Device.Spi;

#if ESP32_WROOM_32_LORA_1_CHANNEL
   using nanoFramework.Hardware.Esp32;
#endif

   public sealed class SX127XDevice
   {
      private readonly SpiDevice SX127XTransceiver;

      public SX127XDevice(int busId, int chipSelectLine)
      {

         var settings = new SpiConnectionSettings(busId, chipSelectLine)
         {
            ClockFrequency = 1000000,
            Mode = SpiMode.Mode0,// From SemTech docs pg 80 CPOL=0, CPHA=0
            SharingMode = SpiSharingMode.Shared
         };

         SX127XTransceiver = new SpiDevice(settings);
      }

      public SX127XDevice(int busId, int chipSelectLine, int resetPin)
      {
         var settings = new SpiConnectionSettings(busId, chipSelectLine)
         {
            ClockFrequency = 1000000,
            Mode = SpiMode.Mode0,// From SemTech docs pg 80 CPOL=0, CPHA=0
            SharingMode = SpiSharingMode.Shared
         };

         SX127XTransceiver = new SpiDevice(settings);

         // Factory reset pin configuration
         GpioController gpioController = new GpioController();
         gpioController.OpenPin(resetPin, PinMode.Output);

         gpioController.Write(resetPin, PinValue.Low);
         Thread.Sleep(20);
         gpioController.Write(resetPin, PinValue.High);
         Thread.Sleep(20);
      }

      public Byte RegisterReadByte(byte registerAddress)
      {
         byte[] writeBuffer = new byte[] { registerAddress, 0x0 };
         byte[] readBuffer = new byte[writeBuffer.Length];

         SX127XTransceiver.TransferFullDuplex(writeBuffer, readBuffer);

         return readBuffer[1];
      }
   }

   public class Program
   {
#if ESP32_WROOM_32_LORA_1_CHANNEL
      private const int SpiBusId = 1;
#endif
#if NETDUINO3_WIFI
      private const int SpiBusId = 2;
#endif
#if ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
      private const int SpiBusId = 2;
#endif

      public static void Main()
      {
#if ESP32_WROOM_32_LORA_1_CHANNEL
         int chipSelectLine = Gpio.IO16;
#endif
#if NETDUINO3_WIFI
         // Arduino D10->PB10
         int chipSelectLine = PinNumber('B', 10);
         // Arduino D9->PE5
         int resetPinNumber = PinNumber('E', 5);
#endif
#if ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
         // Arduino D10->PA11
         int chipSelectLine = PinNumber('A', 11);
         // Arduino D9->PH6
         int resetPinNumber = PinNumber('H', 6);
#endif

         Debug.WriteLine("devMobile.IoT.SX127x.RegisterScan starting");

         try
         {
#if NETDUINO3_WIFI || ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
            SX127XDevice sx127XDevice = new SX127XDevice(SpiBusId, chipSelectLine, resetPinNumber);
#endif

#if ESP32_WROOM_32_LORA_1_CHANNEL
            Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO12, DeviceFunction.SPI1_MISO);
            Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO13, DeviceFunction.SPI1_MOSI);
            Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO14, DeviceFunction.SPI1_CLOCK);

            SX127XDevice sx127XDevice = new SX127XDevice(SpiBusId, chipSelectLine);
#endif

            Thread.Sleep(500);

            while (true)
            {
               for (byte registerIndex = 0; registerIndex <= 0x42; registerIndex++)
               {
                  byte registerValue = sx127XDevice.RegisterReadByte(registerIndex);

                  Debug.WriteLine($"Register 0x{registerIndex:x2} - Value 0X{registerValue:x2}");
               }
               Debug.WriteLine("");

               Thread.Sleep(10000);
            }
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
            Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
         }
      }

#if NETDUINO3_WIFI || ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
      static int PinNumber(char port, byte pin)
      {
         if (port < 'A' || port > 'J')
            throw new ArgumentException();

         return ((port - 'A') * 16) + pin;
      }
#endif
   }
}
RegisterScan Debug Output

There is some SparkFun LoRa Gateway-1-Channel (ESP32) specific configuration to map the Serial Peripheral Interface(SPI) pins and an additional NuGet for ESP32 has to be added. For the initial versions I have not used more advanced .NET nanoFramework functionality like SpanByte.

.NET nanoFramework ValueChanged

If you have landed at this post you were most probably searching for issues updating .NET nanoFramework code that used ValueChanged to handle interrupts. Back in mid 2020 the initial version of my Semtech SX127X(HopeRF RFM9X) library used the Windows.Devices.Gpio Nuget package.

public Rfm9XDevice(string spiPort, int chipSelectPin, int resetPin, int interruptPin)
{
    //...
   
   // Interrupt pin for RX message & TX done notification 
   InterruptGpioPin = gpioController.OpenPin(interruptPin);
   InterruptGpioPin.SetDriveMode(GpioPinDriveMode.Input);

   InterruptGpioPin.ValueChanged += InterruptGpioPin_ValueChanged;
}

private void InterruptGpioPin_ValueChanged(object sender, GpioPinValueChangedEventArgs e)
{
   if (e.Edge != GpioPinEdge.RisingEdge)
   {
      return;
   }

   byte irqFlags = this.RegisterReadByte(0x12); // RegIrqFlags
   //...
}

Then in March 2022 I updated the CoreLibrary, Runtime.Events, System.Devices.GPIO, System.Devices.SPI NuGets.

I then fixed all the breaking changes (For the initial versions I have not updated the code to use SpanByte etc.).

public Rfm9XDevice(int spiBusId, int chipSelectPin, int resetPin, int interruptPin)
{
   //...

   // Interrupt pin for RX message & TX done notification 
   InterruptGpioPin = gpioController.OpenPin(interruptPin);
   InterruptGpioPin.SetPinMode(PinMode.Input);

   InterruptGpioPin.ValueChanged += InterruptGpioPin_ValueChanged;
}

private void InterruptGpioPin_ValueChanged(object sender, PinValueChangedEventArgs e)
{
   if (e.ChangeType != PinEventTypes.Rising)
   {
      return;
   }

   byte irqFlags = this.RegisterReadByte(0x12); // RegIrqFlags
   //...
}

While “soak testing” the ReceiveInterrupt application I noticed that sometimes when I started the application interrupts were not processed or processing stopped after a while.

Visual Studio Debugger output showing intermittent calling of InterruptGpioPin_ValueChanged

I then found the RangeTester application wouldn’t start or run reliably. My original code was based on the Widnows.Devices.GPIO sample so I updated it based on the System.Device.GPIO sample.

public Rfm9XDevice(int spiBusId, int chipSelectPin, int resetPin, int interruptPin)
{
   //...

   // Interrupt pin for RX message & TX done notification 
   gpioController.OpenPin(interruptPin,PinMode.InputPullDown);

   gpioController.RegisterCallbackForPinValueChangedEvent(interruptPin, PinEventTypes.Rising, InterruptGpioPin_ValueChanged);
}

private void InterruptGpioPin_ValueChanged(object sender, PinValueChangedEventArgs e)
{
   byte irqFlags = this.RegisterReadByte(0x12); // RegIrqFlags
   //...
}
Visual Studio Debugger output showing reliable calling of InterruptGpioPin_ValueChanged

If your Windows.Devices.GPIO based project is not reliably handling interrupts after upgrading to System.Device.GPIO and fixing any “breaking changes” the implementation most probably need to be updated to use RegisterCallbackForPinValueChangedEvent as well.

Seeed LoRa-E5 LowPower problem fix

I had been soak testing Seeed LoRa-E5 equipped TinyCLR and netNF devices for the last couple of weeks and after approximately two days they would stop sending data.

After a pointer to the LowPower section of the Seeed LoRa-E5 manual I realised my code could send the next command within 5ms.

Seeeduino LoRa-E5 AT Command document

I added a 5msec Sleep after the wakeup command had been sent

public Result Wakeup()
{
   // Wakeup the E5 Module
#if DIAGNOSTICS
   Debug.WriteLine($" {DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} AT+LOWPOWER: WAKEUP");
#endif
   Result result = SendCommand("+LOWPOWER: WAKEUP", $"A", CommandTimeoutDefault);
   if (result != Result.Success)
   {
#if DIAGNOSTICS
      Debug.WriteLine($" {DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} AT+LOWPOWER: WAKEUP failed {result}");
#endif
      return result;
   }

   // Thanks AndrewL for pointing out delay required in section 4.30 LOWPOWER
   Thread.Sleep(5);

   return Result.Success;
}

The updated code is has been reliably running on TinyCLR and netNF devices connected to The Things Industries for the last 4 days.

nanoFramework Seeed LoRa-E5 LoRaWAN library Part1

Basic connectivity

Over the weekend I have been working on a nanoFramework C# library for my LoRa-E5 Development Kit from Seeedstudio. My initial test rig is based on an STM32F691DISCOVERY board which has an Arduino Uno R3 format socket for a Grove Base Shield V2.0, which I then connected to my LoRa-E5 Development Kit with a Grove – Universal 4 Pin 20cm Unbuckled Cable(TX/RX reversed)

STM32F769I test rig with Seeedstudio Grove Base shield V2 and LoRa-E5 Development Kit

The code has compile time options for synchronous and asynchronous operation.

public class Program
{
   private const string SerialPortId = "COM6";

   public static void Main()
   {
      SerialDevice serialDevice;

      Debug.WriteLine("devMobile.IoT.SeeedLoRaE5.ShieldSerial starting");

      Debug.WriteLine(Windows.Devices.SerialCommunication.SerialDevice.GetDeviceSelector());

      try
      {
         serialDevice = SerialDevice.FromId(SerialPortId);

         // set parameters
         serialDevice.BaudRate = 9600;
         serialDevice.Parity = SerialParity.None;
         serialDevice.StopBits = SerialStopBitCount.One;
         serialDevice.Handshake = SerialHandshake.None;
         serialDevice.DataBits = 8;

         serialDevice.ReadTimeout = new TimeSpan(0, 0, 30);
         serialDevice.WriteTimeout = new TimeSpan(0, 0, 4);

         DataWriter outputDataWriter = new DataWriter(serialDevice.OutputStream);

#if SERIAL_SYNC_READ
         DataReader inputDataReader = new DataReader(serialDevice.InputStream);
#else
         serialDevice.DataReceived += SerialDevice_DataReceived;
#endif

         // set a watch char to be notified when it's available in the input stream
         // This doesn't appear to work with synchronous calls
         serialDevice.WatchChar = '\n';

         while (true)
         {
            uint bytesWritten = outputDataWriter.WriteString("AT+VER\r\n");
            Debug.WriteLine($"TX: {outputDataWriter.UnstoredBufferLength} bytes to output stream.");

            // calling the 'Store' method on the data writer actually sends the data
            uint txByteCount = outputDataWriter.Store();
            Debug.WriteLine($"TX: {txByteCount} bytes via {serialDevice.PortName}");

#if SERIAL_SYNC_READ
            uint bytesRead = inputDataReader.Load(50);

            Debug.WriteLine($"RXs :{bytesRead} bytes read from {serialDevice.PortName}");

            if (bytesRead > 0)
            {
               String response = inputDataReader.ReadString(bytesRead);
               Debug.WriteLine($"RX sync:{response}");
            }
#endif

            Thread.Sleep(20000);
         }
      }
      catch (Exception ex)
      {
         Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
      }
   }

   private static void SerialDevice_DataReceived(object sender, SerialDataReceivedEventArgs e)
   {
      switch (e.EventType)
      {
         case SerialData.Chars:
            //Debug.WriteLine("RX SerialData.Chars");
            break;

         case SerialData.WatchChar:
             Debug.WriteLine("RX: SerialData.WatchChar");
             SerialDevice serialDevice = (SerialDevice)sender;

            using (DataReader inputDataReader = new DataReader(serialDevice.InputStream))
            {
               inputDataReader.InputStreamOptions = InputStreamOptions.Partial;

               // read all available bytes from the Serial Device input stream
               uint bytesRead = inputDataReader.Load(serialDevice.BytesToRead);

               Debug.WriteLine($"RXa: {bytesRead} bytes read from {serialDevice.PortName}");

               if (bytesRead > 0)
               {
                  String response = inputDataReader.ReadString(bytesRead);
                  Debug.WriteLine($"RX:{response}");
               }
            }
            break;
         default:
            Debug.Assert(false, $"e.EventType {e.EventType} unknown");
            break;
      }
   }
}

I have reused a significant amount of code built for my nanoFramework RAK811 LoRaWAN library Part1 post.

The thread '<No Name>' (0x2) has exited with code 0 (0x0).
devMobile.IoT.SeeedLoRaE5.ShieldSerial starting
Ports available: COM5,COM6
TX: 8 bytes to output stream.
TX: 8 bytes via COM6
TX: 8 bytes to output stream.
TX: 8 bytes via COM6
RX: SerialData.WatchChar
RXa: 28 bytes read from COM6
RX:+VER: 4.0.11
+VER: 4.0.11

TX: 8 bytes to output stream.
TX: 8 bytes via COM6
RX: SerialData.WatchChar
RXa: 14 bytes read from COM6
RX:+VER: 4.0.11

TX: 8 bytes to output stream.
TX: 8 bytes via COM6
RX: SerialData.WatchChar
RXa: 14 bytes read from COM6
RX:+VER: 4.0.11

TX: 8 bytes to output stream.
TX: 8 bytes via COM6
RX: SerialData.WatchChar
RXa: 14 bytes read from COM6
RX:+VER: 4.0.11

The test rig confirmed that I had the right configuration for the hardware (TX-RX twist) and LoRa-E5 connection (serial port, baud rate, parity etc.)

Low Power Payload (LPP) Encoder

I originally started building my own Low Power Protocol(LPP) encoder because I could only find one other Github repository with a C# implementation. There hadn’t been any updates for a while and I wasn’t confident that I could make the code work on my nanoFramework and TinyCLR devices.

I started with the sample Mbed C code and did a largely mechanical conversion to C#. I then revisited some of the mathematics where floating point values were converted to an integer.

The original C++ code (understandably) had some language specific approaches which didn’t map well into C#. I then translated the code to C#

public void TemperatureAdd(byte channel, float celsius)
{
   if ((index + TemperatureSize) > buffer.Length)
   {
      throw new ApplicationException("TemperatureAdd insufficent buffer capacity");
   }

   short val = (short)(celsius * 10);

   buffer[index++] = channel;
   buffer[index++] = (byte)DataType.Temperature;
   buffer[index++] = (byte)(val >> 8);
   buffer[index++] = (byte)val;
}

One of my sensors was sending values with more decimal places than LPP supported and I noticed the value was not getting rounded e.g. 2.99 ->2.9 not 3.0 etc. So I revised my implementation to use Math.Round (which is supported by the nanoFramework and TinyCLR).

public void DigitalInputAdd(byte channel, bool value)
{
   #region Guard conditions
   if ((channel < Constants.ChannelMinimum) || (channel > Constants.ChannelMaximum))
   {
      throw new ArgumentException($"channel must be between {Constants.ChannelMinimum} and {Constants.ChannelMaximum}", "channel");
   }

   if ((index + Constants.DigitalInputSize) > buffer.Length)
   {
      throw new ApplicationException($"Datatype DigitalInput insufficent buffer capacity, {buffer.Length - index} bytes available");
   }
   #endregion

   buffer[index++] = channel;
   buffer[index++] = (byte)Enumerations.DataType.DigitalInput;

   // I know this is fugly but it works on all platforms
   if (value)
   {
      buffer[index++] = 1;
   }
   else
   {
     buffer[index++] = 0;
   }
 }

I then extracted out the channel and buffer size validation but I’m not certain this makes the code anymore readable/understandable

public void DigitalInputAdd(byte channel, bool value)
{
   IsChannelNumberValid(channel);
   IsBufferSizeSufficient(Enumerations.DataType.DigitalInput);

   buffer[index++] = channel;
   buffer[index++] = (byte)Enumerations.DataType.DigitalInput;

   // I know this is fugly but it works on all platforms
   if (value)
   {
      buffer[index++] = 1;
   }
   else
   {
      buffer[index++] = 0;
   }
}

The code runs on netCore, nanoFramework, and TinyCLRV2 just needs a few more unit tests and it will be ready for production. I started with an LPP encoder which I needed for one of my applications. I’m also working an approach for a decoder which will run on all my target platforms with minimal modification or compile time directives.

netNF Electric Longboard Part 4

The Rideable Prototype

After some experimentation I gave up on the radio control(RC) servo library for controlling my Longboard’s Electronic Speed Control(ESC).

My new longboard controller uses the following parts

  • Netduino 3 Wifi
  • Generic wireless wii nuchuk
  • generic Arduino protoshield

I reused the initial protoshield and only had to shift the PWM output to the ESC from pin 8 to pin 7.

FEZ Panda III Protoshield for longboard with RC Servo for testing
Protoshield for longboard RC Servo test
public class Program
{
   private const double PulseFrequency = 50.0;
   private const double PulseDurationMinimum = 0.05; // 1000uSec
   private const double PulseDurationMaximum = 0.1; // 2000uSec
   private const double WiiNunchukYMinimum = 0.0;
   private const double WiiNunchukYMaximum = 255.0;
   private const int ThrottleUpdatePeriod = 100;

   public static void Main()
   {
      Debug.WriteLine("devMobile.Longboard starting");
      Debug.WriteLine($"I2C:{I2cDevice.GetDeviceSelector()}");
      Debug.WriteLine($"PWM:{PwmController.GetDeviceSelector()}");

      try
      {
         Debug.WriteLine("LED Starting");
         GpioPin led = GpioController.GetDefault().OpenPin(PinNumber('A', 10));
         led.SetDriveMode(GpioPinDriveMode.Output);
         led.Write(GpioPinValue.Low);

         Debug.WriteLine("LED Starting");
         WiiNunchuk nunchuk = new WiiNunchuk("I2C1");

         Debug.WriteLine("ESC Starting");
         PwmController pwm = PwmController.FromId("TIM5");
         PwmPin pwmPin = pwm.OpenPin(PinNumber('A', 1));
         pwmPin.Controller.SetDesiredFrequency(PulseFrequency);
         pwmPin.Start();

         Debug.WriteLine("Thread.Sleep Starting");
         Thread.Sleep(2000);

         Debug.WriteLine("Mainloop Starting");
         while (true)
         {
            nunchuk.Read();

            double duration = Map(nunchuk.AnalogStickY, WiiNunchukYMinimum, WiiNunchukYMaximum, PulseDurationMinimum, PulseDurationMaximum);
            Debug.WriteLine($"Value:{nunchuk.AnalogStickY} Duration:{duration:F3}");

            pwmPin.SetActiveDutyCyclePercentage(duration);
            led.Toggle();
            Thread.Sleep(ThrottleUpdatePeriod);
         }
      }
      catch (Exception ex)
      {
         Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
      }
   }

   private static int PinNumber(char port, byte pin)
   {
      if (port < 'A' || port > 'J')
         throw new ArgumentException();

      return ((port - 'A') * 16) + pin;
   }

   private static double Map(double x, double inputMinimum, double inputMaximum, double outputMinimum, double outputMaximum)
   {
      return (x - inputMinimum) * (outputMaximum - outputMinimum) / (inputMaximum - inputMinimum) + outputMinimum;
   }
}

The nanoFramework code polls the wii nunchuk for the joystick position every 100mSec and then updates the PWM duty cycle.

By convention the ESSC PWM frequency is 50Hz (a pulse ever 20mSec) and the duration of the pulse is 1000uSec(minimum throttle) to 2000uSec(maximum throttle), note the change of units.

After converting to the same units there is a pulse every 20mSec and its duration is 1mSec too 2mSec. Then converting the durations to the active duty cycle percentage (for the PWM SetActiveDutyCyclePercentage) the duration of the pulse is 5% to 10%.

I need to re-calibrate the ESC for these durations and ensure that reverse is disabled. Then tinker with the brake (braking percent & percent drag brake) and acceleration(initial acceleration low, medium, high, very high) configurations of my ESC to make the longboard easier to ride.

Next I will look at configurable throttle maps (to make it easier for new and different weight users), then using one of the wii-nunchuk buttons for cruise control (keeping the throttle steady when riding is difficult) and how the software reacts when the connection with nunchuk fails

netNF Electric Longboard Part 3

Servo Control

The next step was to figure out how to operate a radio control(RC) servo as a proxy for an Electronic Speed Control(ESC).

My test rig uses (prices as at Aug 2020) the following parts

  • Netduino 3 Wifi
  • Grove-Base Shield V2.0 for Arduino USD4.45
  • Grove-Universal 4 Pin Bucked 20cm cable(5 PCs Pack) USD2.90
  • Grove-Servo USD5.90
  • Grove-Rotary Angle Sensor USD2.90

My servo test harness

public class Program
{
   public static void Main()
   {
      Debug.WriteLine("devMobile.Longboard.ServoTest starting");

      try
      {
         AdcController adc = AdcController.GetDefault();
         AdcChannel adcChannel = adc.OpenChannel(0);

         ServoMotor servo = new ServoMotor("TIM5", ServoMotor.ServoType.Positional, PinNumber('A', 0));
         servo.ConfigurePulseParameters(0.6, 2.3);

         while (true)
         {
            double value = adcChannel.ReadRatio();
            double position = Map(value, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 180);

            Debug.WriteLine($"Value: {value:F2} Position: {position:F1}");

            servo.Set(position);

            Thread.Sleep(100);
         }
      }
      catch (Exception ex)
      {
         Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
      }
   }

   private static int PinNumber(char port, byte pin)
   {
      if (port < 'A' || port > 'J')
         throw new ArgumentException();

      return ((port - 'A') * 16) + pin;
   }

   private static double Map(double x, double inputMinimum, double inputMaximum, double outputMinimum, double outputMaximum)
   {
      return (x - inputMinimum) * (outputMaximum - outputMinimum) / (inputMaximum - inputMinimum) + outputMinimum;
   }
}

The nanoFramework code polls for the rotary angle sensor for its position every 100mSec and then updates the servo.

The servo code was based on sample code provided by GHI Electronics for their TinyCLR which I had to adapt to work with the nanoFramework.

The next test rig will be getting the Netduino 3 software working my Longboard ESC and Lithium Polymer(LiPo) batteries.

netNF Electric Longboard Part 2

Analog Inputs & Pulse Width Modulation

The next step was to figure out how to configure a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) output and an Analog Input so I could adjust the duty cycle and control the brightness of a Light Emitting Diode(LED).

Netduino 3 ADC & PWN test rig

My test rig uses (prices as at Aug 2020) the following parts

  • Netduino 3 Wifi
  • Grove-Base Shield V2.0 for Arduino USD4.45
  • Grove-Universal 4 Pin Bucked 5cm cable(5 PCs Pack) USD1.90
  • Grove-Universal 4 Pin Bucked 20cm cable(5 PCs Pack) USD2.90
  • Grove-LED Pack USD2.90
  • Grove-Rotary Angle Sensor USD2.90

My analog input test harness

 public class Program
   {
      public static void Main()
      {
         Debug.WriteLine("devMobile.Longboard.AdcTest starting");
         Debug.WriteLine(AdcController.GetDeviceSelector());

         try
         {
            AdcController adc = AdcController.GetDefault();
            AdcChannel adcChannel = adc.OpenChannel(0);

            while (true)
            {
               double value = adcChannel.ReadRatio();

               Debug.WriteLine($"Value: {value:F2}");

               Thread.Sleep(100);
            }
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
            Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
         }
      }
   }

The nanoFramework code polls for the rotary angle sensor for its position value every 100mSec.

The setup to use for the Analog to Digital Convertor(ADC) port was determined by looking at the board.h and target_windows_devices_adc_config.cpp file.

//
// Copyright (c) 2018 The nanoFramework project contributors
// See LICENSE file in the project root for full license information.
//

#include <win_dev_adc_native_target.h>

const NF_PAL_ADC_PORT_PIN_CHANNEL AdcPortPinConfig[] = {
    
    // ADC1
    {1, GPIOC, 0, ADC_CHANNEL_IN10},
    {1, GPIOC, 1, ADC_CHANNEL_IN11},

    // ADC2
    {2, GPIOC, 2, ADC_CHANNEL_IN14},
    {2, GPIOC, 3, ADC_CHANNEL_IN15},

    // ADC3
    {3, GPIOC, 4, ADC_CHANNEL_IN12},
    {3, GPIOC, 5, ADC_CHANNEL_IN13},

    // these are the internal sources, available only at ADC1
    {1, NULL, 0, ADC_CHANNEL_SENSOR},
    {1, NULL, 0, ADC_CHANNEL_VREFINT},
    {1, NULL, 0, ADC_CHANNEL_VBAT},
};

const int AdcChannelCount = ARRAYSIZE(AdcPortPinConfig);

The call to AdcController.GetDeviceSelector() only returned one controller

The thread '<No Name>' (0x2) has exited with code 0 (0x0).
devMobile.Longboard.AdcTest starting
ADC1

After some experimentation it appears that only A0 & A1 work on a Netduino. (Aug 2020).

My PWM test harness

public class Program
{
   public static void Main()
   {
      Debug.WriteLine("devMobile.Longboard.PwmTest starting");
      Debug.WriteLine(PwmController.GetDeviceSelector());

      try
      {
         PwmController pwm = PwmController.FromId("TIM5");
         AdcController adc = AdcController.GetDefault();
         AdcChannel adcChannel = adc.OpenChannel(0);

         PwmPin pwmPin = pwm.OpenPin(PinNumber('A', 0));
         pwmPin.Controller.SetDesiredFrequency(1000);
         pwmPin.Start();

         while (true)
         {
            double value = adcChannel.ReadRatio();

            Debug.WriteLine(value.ToString("F2"));

            pwmPin.SetActiveDutyCyclePercentage(value);

            Thread.Sleep(100);
         }
      }
      catch (Exception ex)
      {
         Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
      }
   }

   private static int PinNumber(char port, byte pin)
   {
      if (port < 'A' || port > 'J')
         throw new ArgumentException();
      return ((port - 'A') * 16) + pin;
   }
}

I had to refer to the Netduino schematic to figure out pin mapping

With my test rig (with easy access to D0 thru D8) I found that only D2,D3,D7 and D8 work as PWM outputs.

The next test rig will be getting Servo working.