Would like to look into making usb powered devices.
Is there is a central advice point for making usb devices? How difficult is it? I'm imagining, usb cables can be bought, and, I wire them into my own circuit??
If you only want to tap USB power, then just connect the Vdd pin to your socket. USB provides 100mA of +5V power when unconfigured.
If you want to use USB for comms, then it's an altogather different matter.
Those usb-to-serial convertors are as simple as rs232 comms. If you want real usb connectivity, then be prepared to spend a long time on it to develop both device firmware and host driver + application. But hey, you can unlock the full 500mA of power for your device.
Take a look at Silicon Labs USB controller. They provide a host driver and firmware for the slave that implements simple duplex communication. You just use the API on both sides and don't have to worry about the details. The controller is a very fast 8051 with JTAG debug.
MicroChip make a PIC with a built-in USB interface, if you're looking for a proper USB connection. But be aware USB is vastly more complicated than a serial connection, however, MicroChip provide sample code for both ends of the link.
As already mentioned, it's far easier to use a USD/Serial converter, which provides all the required software.
MicroChip make a PIC with a built-in USB interface, if you're looking for a proper USB connection. But be aware USB is vastly more complicated than a serial connection, however, MicroChip provide sample code for both ends of the link.
As already mentioned, it's far easier to use a USD/Serial converter, which provides all the required software.