USB memory stick

Printable View

- 9th July 2005, 17:16
Demon

USB memory stick

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
:)
- 9th July 2005, 17:34
Demon

USB 2.0 memory stick, 128meg, $4.99 USD.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...tem=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
:)
- 9th July 2005, 19:33
Normnet

Can a pic host USB stick?
- 9th July 2005, 21:59
Demon

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
:)
- 9th July 2005, 22:16
David Barker

> 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.
- 9th July 2005, 22:19
rhino

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.
- 10th July 2005, 17:00
Demon

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
:)
- 10th July 2005, 17:24
Demon

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
:)
- 10th July 2005, 18:06
NavMicroSystems

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demon

USB 2.0 memory stick, 128meg, $4.99 USD.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...tem=5216020151

What a bargain!
shipping is ONLY $15 USD

So in Total ONLY $19.99 USD

I guess you missed to read the smallprint.
- 11th July 2005, 20:59
picnaut

Mecanique Version of HIDMaker

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!
- 11th July 2005, 21:05
mister_e

Quote:

Originally Posted by picnaut

Hi,

Mecanique makes a totally free version of (something like) HidMaker.

Yeah but...

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Barker

> 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.
- 11th July 2005, 21:08
picnaut

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.

:)
- 11th July 2005, 21:14
mister_e

i'd already posted it few weeks ago but!!!

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by picnaut

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.
- 12th July 2005, 12:31
G8RPI

USB AND SD in one

Sandisk have just started selling a SD card with a USB interface built in,
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0501/05...disksdflip.asp

Robert G8RPI.
- 12th July 2005, 20:57
picnaut

Quote:

Originally Posted by G8RPI

Sandisk have just started selling a SD card with a USB interface built in,
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0501/05...disksdflip.asp

Robert G8RPI.

Now, that's cool!

This is definitely the way to go!

:)

Cheers!