USBDemo, something to learn USB a little bit

[skimask]

No kidding! I've been a bit weary of trying out a bit of playing around with a PIC and a USB. Previously, I've only used the FTDI chips or the CP2102/2103 combo's. This little application could save me a fair amount of PCB space.

Question in regards to the onchip transceiver. Where would one NEED or prefer to use an external transceiver for the USB, or, conversely, where would one want to use the internal transceiver exclusively?

And BTW, thanks a lot, mister_e. Now I've got another project to play...like I don't have enough to play with to keep me up late at night as it is
JDG

[skimask]

No kidding! I've been a bit weary of trying out a bit of playing around with a PIC and a USB. Previously, I've only used the FTDI chips or the CP2102/2103 combo's. This little application could save me a fair amount of PCB space.

Question in regards to the onchip transceiver. Where would one NEED or prefer to use an external transceiver for the USB, or, conversely, where would one want to use the internal transceiver exclusively?

And BTW, thanks a lot, mister_e. Now I've got another project to play...like I don't have enough to play with to keep me up late at night as it is
JDG

I forgot to order USB connectors. The average project will use a USB Type B Female on the box of the side of the project, right? Example....the 'normal' cable that a person would buy down at the local store has Type A male on one end, and Type B male on the other end, or is that wrong too? I know on the last 2 USB projects I've done (and this was just to get rid of the wrong stuff I bought in the first place), I had to go out and get special cables made up because I bought the wrong gender at both ends with the wrong type (A or B) at each end I done good with that one...

[mister_e]

It's up to you guy, you know there's also this tiny model on digital camera ( or PICKIT 2) as well.... i don't remind the name...

But most of the time, use a 'B type' on the PIC end... if you really want a connector.

In meantime you can still hack an old USB mouse or buy a few $ USB cable. i got few 6' here in a local electronic store for 2$.

Please, use an external psu for you tests.... you never know what could happen.

EDIT.... i thought they could choose a more sophisticated term for those mini-tiny-usb connector... NOP mini-A or mini-B
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB

[skimask]

Mini- connectors - Those seem to be a bit more prevalent these days as opposed to the older/larger types. Will probably switch over to those in due time. A-type at the PC end, B-type female (mini or not) at the device end.

External power - yes, most definetly. In the past, I've drawn a small bit of power off the USB bus to charge a small AAA NiMH pack, but the bulk of the power for the circuit comes from the AAA NiMH pack.

[keithdoxey]

Please, use an external psu for you tests.... you never know what could happen.

Oh yes I do

I have a board that I have been working on and had no problems with it whatsoever until I moved it slightly on the computer desk and my daughter had left a metal hair grip on the desk.

Now have a PC with 4 dead USB ports on the mobo

[mister_e]

and unless you want to waste your time debugin it... maybe it's just some blown pcb tracks...

A in-line fuse could be used as well, but i stick with the external PSU.

To do this one i used Mikroelektronika a EasyPic 4 board.

Nice board, but the on-board programmer fail sometime with 18Fs device.

[Squibcakes]

Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!!!

Steve that EasyPic 4 board looks fantastic! I see that it has an add on PLCC programming kit but in your experience can it program the PIC18F4550??

Has anyone made a test PCB for this yet and willing to post on site?

Cheers
Squib.

[mister_e]

The on-board programmer work with most PIC. The 18F4550 also work... but sometime it fail to program at the first time, you just need to reprogram it once again... no big deal but sometimes annoying.

I don't have the PLCC board, but it should work... it's just an adapter, so i don't see why it shouldn't work... unless the programming pins are not at their usual places...

[ozion]

Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!!!

Steve that EasyPic 4 board looks fantastic! I see that it has an add on PLCC programming kit but in your experience can it program the PIC18F4550??

Has anyone made a test PCB for this yet and willing to post on site?

Cheers
Squib.

Hi Squibcakes,
I have an older model 'EasyPic3' and i have no problem to program PIC18F4550. It is a great board and I ma glad owning one.
Cheers
Ozion