Designing USB Devices

[SanLouBlues]

One of my projects in eternal planning mode is a really simple USB input device with a few buttons, a few dials, an lcd or vfd and some LEDs. Basically a car radio faceplate.

I decided it would be cool and difficult to build this as a USB device since I've never done that before. I've looked around on the web and asked friends and so far I've got three options.

Option 1 (super cheap):
Modify the USB IR Boy which uses very few parts and Free software.

Option 2:
Buy a USB dev kit from Atmel or some other vendor.

Option 3:
Hack apart an OEM USB device like a keyboard and modify greatly.

I'm leaning towards option 2, but all options (except 3) leave the question of developing drivers. I haven't looked at any Linux USB source yet, but I get the impression that it's not too tough.

Does anybody with experience have any suggestions or admonitions? If this works well, I have about a billion more usb devices that I can think of building.

 

[Mark R]

An alternative is to use a USB to serial converter chip like the FTDI FT232BM. It can be obtained for between $5-$10. It is simple to use and includes royalty free drivers for Windows, and linux drivers already integrated into the 2.6 kernel.

The chip is only available in a tiny surface mount form, but is just about hand solderable. Alternatively, you can buy ready made USB modules featuring the chip and support components mounted into a DIP type package. Link

 

[Bassyhead]

Originally posted by: Mark R
An alternative is to use a USB to serial converter chip like the FTDI FT232BM. It can be obtained for between $5-$10. It is simple to use and includes royalty free drivers for Windows, and linux drivers already integrated into the 2.6 kernel.

The chip is only available in a tiny surface mount form, but is just about hand solderable. Alternatively, you can buy ready made USB modules featuring the chip and support components mounted into a DIP type package. Link

fyi, broken link

EDIT: found it: http://www.ftdichip.com/Products/FT232BM.htm

 

[Jeffyboy]

I believe Microchips might have some USB development tools too.

http://www.microchip.com/stell...&dDocName=en010043

Jeff

 

[Mark R]

Microchip's flash MCUs with USB are eagerly awaited. However, given the innumerable delays with their dsPICs I have my doubts as to whether they will be released before USB becomes obsolete.

Their PIC16C7x5 MCUs are one-time programmable (or available in a very expensive UV eraseable version), and very old, difficult to use and rather weak compared to more modern MCUs.