USB Controller system

jameszum · Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 14

Good Morning
I am looking for, are some good starting example(s) for my project
I am using a PIC24FJ64GB002, with built in USB controller and what I need to do is connect to and control several USB sensors. Two of the sensors run at USB 2.0 speed and 2 are v1.0.
The pic needs to connect to the sensors (through a hub), control their operation, log the data, and then send the data over a wireless interface when finished. This is a standalone system as there are no PC or MAC’s connected to this system

temtronic · Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 10:45 am

Obvious place to start is to compile the examples that CCS supplies and get them 'up and running'.
You've got an ambitious project though done in small stages, is quite doable.
How you proceed is up to you though I might begin by getting the PIC to talk to a PC via hardwire, then to a sensor, then another sensor, then datalog (to what ?), leaving the wireless to last. Each subsection has it's own 'challenges' and needs the details worked out before going to the next one.

hth
jay

Ttelmah · Joined: 11 Mar 2010 Posts: 19535

Seriously, writing a USB host is quite hard with the PIC.
Getting reliable operation for a variety of devices takes a lot of work.
None of the CCS examples cover host operation.
Vastly easier to use something that comes with a pre-writen USB host stack, like the Vinculum. This interfaces easily to the PIC, and reduces the work massively. They are not expensive, and if this device is only a relatively 'small run' device, the extra costs of this will be far less than the development costs of trying to do a host with the PIC....

Best Wishes

temtronic · Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 2:06 pm

I have to agree with Mr. T here. I've used the V2 for about a year and once my head got 'straight' over terminology, it was a pretty slick solution.
Far less code required = more memory for 'other stuff'. Having an 'off the shelf' solution for $30 saved $$$$$ in R&D labour costs.

hth
jay

jameszum · Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 14

I have already ordered a Vinculum-II demo board from Digi-Key. I figured that would be the way to go since none of the pic examples (that I can find) use the pic as a master.

Thanks