View Full Version : USB memory stick
Demon
- 9th July 2005, 17:16
Hi,
This is a suggestion for those that like to post samples projects and are in the middle of the USB bug (...waves to Bruce... :D ).
How to connect a USB virtual drive to a PIC 18F4550?
I'm starting to hit the space capacity of the Atmel series of EEPROM chips. I need over 1 meg of storage for my application and the AT24C1024 is becoming tedious to manage. Having to split the data between 8 ICs is something of a pain.
The great thing with using a USB stick is the easy of expansion. I was considering the SD compact flash cards, but since I'm in the middle of adding USB to my project, I figure, what's another USB I/O?
Robert
:)
Demon
- 9th July 2005, 17:34
USB 2.0 memory stick, 128meg, $4.99 USD.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5216020151
When you compare the price of the Atmel chips with the USB sticks, USB comes out miles ahead.
I was considering the SD before because of the high capacity, available circuitry and ability to be read from Windows Explorer. The down side is that it requires a special reader to be connected to the PC. The USB stick can be swapped between PC and project at will.
(..I feel like a lobbyist scurrying around parliament...)
Robert
:)
Normnet
- 9th July 2005, 19:33
Can a pic host USB stick?
Demon
- 9th July 2005, 21:59
I sure hope so. I'd be disappointed if the PIC only supports PIC-PC USB communication.
If the PIC has true USB capability I don't see why it can't talk to a USB memory stick, unless it only has a subset of the required code.
But you're right, it's possible it can't. There's no mention whether it can or cannot act as a host. I'm really hoping for one of the powers-that-are to step in, slap me silly and settle the matter.
Robert
:)
David Barker
- 9th July 2005, 22:16
> I sure hope so. I'd be disappointed if the PIC only
> supports PIC-PC USB communication.
The PIC can be configured as a USB 'peripheral' device, but not as a USB host device.
rhino
- 9th July 2005, 22:19
Check out USBWiz in this thread http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1888
Don't think it's available yet, but looks like it will make life a lot easier for us.
Demon
- 10th July 2005, 17:00
Thanks David, not I wanted to hear, but at least now we know for sure. :)
I guess it's back to the SD card then.
Robert
:)
Demon
- 10th July 2005, 17:24
I'm kinda interested in HIDMaker FS:
http://www.tracesystemsinc.com/usb_tools.ivnu
----------------------------------------
Not merely a function library that you have to figure out: HIDmaker FS generates complete, fully functional programs, for both PC and PIC, that you can just compile and run in minutes!
Full speed 18F4550 family:
- MPASM
- PicBasic Pro
Low speed 16C765 family:
- PicBasic Pro
- MPASM
Can create standard USB HID devices (e.g. keyboards, mice, joysticks) that can be read directly by Windows. Can automatically create special devices, too:
- Devices with multiple USB Interfaces.
- Soft Detach Devices with multiple personalities
----------------------------------------
A tad expensive though, $599 USD. But if the software does as much as it claims, it seems rather interesting.
Robert
:)
NavMicroSystems
- 10th July 2005, 18:06
USB 2.0 memory stick, 128meg, $4.99 USD.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5216020151
What a bargain!
shipping is ONLY $15 USD
So in Total ONLY $19.99 USD
I guess you missed to read the smallprint.
picnaut
- 11th July 2005, 20:59
Hi,
Mecanique makes a totally free version of HidMaker.
They call it "EasyHID" and it works with PicBasic Pro and Proton (PDS).
http://www.mecanique.co.uk/products/usb/easyhid.html
It generates both the PIC and the PC code for either VC++, VB6, or Delphi (whatever you choose).
So, save your money!
:)
Cheers!
mister_e
- 11th July 2005, 21:05
Hi,
Mecanique makes a totally free version of (something like) HidMaker.
Yeah but...
> I sure hope so. I'd be disappointed if the PIC only
> supports PIC-PC USB communication.
The PIC can be configured as a USB 'peripheral' device, but not as a USB host device.
So that doesn't fix the problem at all. Flash card will be the way to go i guess.
picnaut
- 11th July 2005, 21:08
Hi,
Yeah, I know.
I just thought I'd mention it though, since somebody mentioned something similar that cost $599. I know that you need Microcode Studio to use it, but that is still a far cry from $599. MCS is worth the money even without EasyHID.
:)
mister_e
- 11th July 2005, 21:14
http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1920
Thanks for the remainder Picnaut ;)
Since USB HIDMakers softwares and USB PIC are still a new area for many here, we will see many question in a few.
MCS is worth the money even without EasyHID.
Oh yeah i agree 100% For bootloader, serial communicator and the list is still long. I can't live without bootloader now, even if ICSP also do the job as well.
G8RPI
- 12th July 2005, 12:31
Sandisk have just started selling a SD card with a USB interface built in,
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0501/05010606sandisksdflip.asp
Robert G8RPI.
picnaut
- 12th July 2005, 20:57
Sandisk have just started selling a SD card with a USB interface built in,
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0501/05010606sandisksdflip.asp
Robert G8RPI.
Now, that's cool!
This is definitely the way to go!
:)
Cheers!
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