USB Device to Control IC Switches

[card9inal]

Hey everyone...

I have ZERO, literally no microcontroller programming experience, so please forgive the likely simple questions below.

Is it possible to use a USB keyboard like the X-Keys 24 button device to control analog IC switches? Something like this:

**broken link removed**

How would I go about doing that?

I would assume that I could set the microcontroller pins to be LOW, and when a usb button is pressed, to go HIGH which would then open the switch (or vice versa). But what would I need to make that work?

Thanks!!!

 

[Ian Rogers]

s it possible to use a USB keyboard like the X-Keys 24 button device to control analog IC switches? Something like this:

Yes! but you would need a controller that can be configured as a master.... OR!!! That particular device can be bought as an RS232 device..

Most micro's that can do Master USB are the larger end Pic's or the ARM processors...

I use an Arm based device "GHI panda" this can be setup to be a USB master... How are you at C#...

 

[card9inal]

I know NOTHING about programming. I started (months ago) to learn Java at codeacademy.com, but life got in the way and I wasn't able to finish, and because I never used it, I don't know if I remember much about it...

 

[Ian Rogers]

So you wanted something ( already built ) to interpret the key press and output on a connector..... Or are you going to learn to program?

 

[card9inal]

Not necessarily already built, but I need some advice for a starting point, I suppose.

It would be nice to know what type of controller I need, what the easiest way to program the controller is, what language, any hints or tips. I don't mind trying to learn to program, and I know I'm diving into the deep end a little bit, but this is a project that I want to get done. The quickest way from point A to point B would be helpful!

Does that make sense?

 

[Ian Rogers]

Well!!! As I said...C# is a nice tool ( its a kind of java ) Microsoft released J++ (MS's java) Sun microsystems took them to court.... MS changed and renamed J++ to C#..

C is a very nice language to learn.... You could pic up a small pic24jxxx development board..Download MPLAB and the C30 C compiler ( run in lite mode) Download the Microchip libraries, and compile the USB host examples......

examples.. **broken link removed**
compiler.. **broken link removed**
MPLAB.. **broken link removed**

 

[card9inal]

I'll look into those...

I also have been trying to find a use for Arduino. I read your note about needing a USB master controller and did a little searching and found this:

https://www.circuitsathome.com/products-page/arduino-shields/usb-host-shield-2-0-for-arduino

This board has several outputs that I imagine I could use for control of the switches, correct? The USB Host shield would read the output of the keyboard, interpret the button press of button 1 and then respond by making pin 1 low, which then causes the IC switch to open up... Is that accurate?

With the wealth of information about Arduino out there, is there a smaller learning curve with it than the other ways you mentioned?

Or will the way I described, or the board, not able to be able to work as mentioned?

 

[Ian Rogers]

Nice shield... Having thought about this Farnell / newark sell these things Vdrive2 https://uk.farnell.com/ftdi/vdrive2/mod-usb-flash-uart-fifo-spi-i-f/dp/1615834?Ntt=vdrive2

Apparently it can be configured to read USB devices..

 

[card9inal]

What would the purpose of that be? Would that take the place of the USB Shield, and connect right to the Arduino?

 

[Ian Rogers]

None... Just another alternative..