How to drive the Vinculum VDIP1 in UART mode

[circuitpro]

I saw a post (somewhere! - can't seem to find it again) where mackrackit posted some code on the VNC1L and used 'flowcontrol' to somehow handshake with this chip. I am putting the VNC1L on my board and, basically laying out a VDIP1. I am using this chip in order to plug a USB keyboard into this board, and am at a total loss of what to expect. With no handshaking per se supported already, I guess we're going to 'roll our own'.

I don't want to miss any keyboard characters, so, can you tell me how you are using 'flowcontrol' ?

Thanks much!

[mackrackit]

I saw a post (somewhere! - can't seem to find it again) where mackrackit posted some code on the VNC1L and used 'flowcontrol' to somehow handshake with this chip. I am putting the VNC1L on my board and, basically laying out a VDIP1. I am using this chip in order to plug a USB keyboard into this board, and am at a total loss of what to expect. With no handshaking per se supported already, I guess we're going to 'roll our own'.

I don't want to miss any keyboard characters, so, can you tell me how you are using 'flowcontrol' ?

Thanks much!

I can not remember the post you are referring to, but the only time I used anything like flow control was when using a VDIP to write to a flash drive like the example shown by Brian above. And that is not really flow control, just checking to see if the write operation is finished before going on to the next step.

In your case I think an interrupt will be needed. I have not used a VDIP with a keyboard so I am not sure if it will work that way.

The VDIP when given the read command will "dump" whatever it has in the file you are calling, at least that is the way I was using it. So setup a hardware serial input on the PIC with an interrupt. DTs instants will work well here. That way you will not miss anything.

[circuitpro]

Thanks! Will do, and hope this VNc1L chip does it's thing!

[kirtcathey]

Hi All. Totally agree with SkiMask RTFM policy, so made sure I scoured this forum, Googled, thoroughly read data sheets, and re-reviewed a lot of code available.

BrianT's code and explanation above is good, but still have a few questions....
I want to receive keyboard strokes to an 18F2550 via UART from a keyboard plugged into the VDIP1. When I press a key on the keyboard, does that automatically get forwarded to the UART interface on the VDIP1 and wait for transfer? Or, somehow do I need to tell the vnc1l that it needs to forward that keystroke to UART? Then how do I tell the VDIP1 to transfer each byte to the PIC serial port?

The code above focuses on sending data out to a disk on the VDIP1, but doesn't show how to get data back.... I think. Somebody point it out if I've missed something.

Thank you.
Kirt

[Bogs1217]

Hi,

I am new here and as well as using VDIP1, I need it for my thesis prototype. I need help on how to reflash the frimware of VDIP1, I did these steps but i don't think something happens

1. I downloaded the latest firmware from vinculum, edit the filename of the file "ftrfb_main_3_68VDAP.ftd" to "ftrfb.ftd"
2. I copied the ftrfb.ftd to the root directory of my flash disk (PQI 512mb).
3. I made the circuit for the VDIP1 module:
3a. pin 1 to VCC (5V)
3b. connected pins 7 and 18 to GND
3c. pin 23 (PROG#) to GND
3d. I connected pin 22 (RESET#) into a reseting circuit that I made, There is a button that when pressed the output is low and when not pressed the output is high.
3e. I remove the jumper pins (both of them)
4. I inserted the flash disk to the VDIP1 module
5. Power the circuit, then press reset circuit to reset the module
6. Nothing happens.

I don't know if it is already reflashed or no, nothing is happening even the LEDs. I already e-mailed vinculum, but i haven't get any response for more than a week now. I really need the help, if you can, can you please give me a step-by-step procedure to reflash the module.

Thanks,
Bogs

[mackrackit]

Welcome to the forum.

This post may help
http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/show...6&postcount=88

[Bogs1217]

Hi Dave,

Thanks a lot Bro! It worked! fine and smoothly! I owe you a lot! . This Forum is the best!

Regards,

Bogs