Vdrive2 USB host mode module

[J. Mark Wolf]

Anybody on the forum used the Vdrive2 (link below)?

Hi, its great to see you visiting our forum. Why not try Proton Compiler for FREE? Download the FREE version of Proton Compiler, Its called Amicus18 and its available from HERE Already using proton Compiler??? Get rid of these pesky messages... get LICENSED USER STATUS

It offers USB host mode to "any" little controller, for such things as easily adding a USB thumbdrive with SPI or TTL level RS232.

$24usd at Mouser.

I'm currently using the Rogue Robotics uMMC, and was going to purchase more, until I saw this.

http://www.vinculum.com/prd_vdrive1.html

[Richard]

Yes, I ordered one yesterday from FTDI's Glasgow branch. Should be here this week and I can get playing with it.

I don't understand, what's putting you off getting one ?

[J. Mark Wolf]

I think you misunderstand.

I've been using the uMMC and was going to purchase more of them, until I stumbled on the Vdrive2, and was merely inquiring if anyone on the forum had yet used them.

The Vdrive2 looks very ineteresting. There is some application stuff over on the "other" PIC basic forum you may find useful.

I decided to use the uMMC, due to familiarity, to get my projects "out the door" and then scrutize the Vdrive2 for future applications.

[Richard]

The Vdrive2 looks very interesting

It does, I like the 'snap-in' enclosure it comes in too.

I'm going to use it to take a file from a thumb drive and copy it onto some flash memory. Going to use a PIC with a hardware UART.

[pverburg]

I have played/tested it as an mp3 player works fine.

Paul V.

[J. Mark Wolf]

Care to share any utility code to help us newbies get "off the dime"?

[ADLIN SYSTEMS]

I have just purchased the vdrive 2 aS WELL. here are some questions. What commands do you give to innitialise the system. How do you usse the thumb drive. Any help would be appreciated.

[J. Mark Wolf]

I have just purchased the vdrive 2 aS WELL. here are some questions. What commands do you give to innitialise the system. How do you usse the thumb drive. Any help would be appreciated.

I started writing the serial mode routines below, but wasn't able to get them working before I got pulled off to another project. I think they are close to working. Try the default 9600 baud rate first.

There are 2 command sets that the Vdrive2 "understands" short and extended command sets. I think they both work in a similar fashion, but I opted for the extended version, not knowing any better. For more info, download the Vinculum firmware users manual.

The object below was to just get the Vdrive2 responding to the basic IDD command. Be sure there is a thumb drive plugged in. Once that happens you'll know the wiring and basic command structure is working and you're home free.

There is some description of which thumb drives the device "likes" on the Pa*allax website. They have a similar bare-board product using the same Vinculum chip.

I was using the the IDE serial communicator for viewing the response from the Vdrive2.

RTS is an output. CTS is an input.

You can probably leave RTS float until you start rapid data transmissions and have a need for handshaking. I saw on the web someplace you can generally ground CTS.

Be advised, you may have to use the "real" uarts (HRSIN & HRSOUT) as I did, as opposed to the bit-banging method (SERIN & SEROUT) because you may otherwise "miss" the response from the Vdrive2 using the bit-banging method.

Be sure to get the response before sending new data.

Let us know how you get on.

'
'******************************************************************************
'
' Vdrive2 routines, extended command set (ECS)
'
'******************************************************************************
'
'OpenFileForWriting:
'
' 	HRSOut "OPW ",filename,13
'	Return
'
'OpenFileForReading:
'
' 	HRSOut "OPR ",filename,13
'	Return	
'
'Closefile:
'
'	HRSOut "CLF ",filename,13
'    Return	
'
'wrtfile:
'	hrsout "WRF ",$00,$00,$00,$17,$0D,,13,13
'	Return
'
IDD_Mode:
 	HRSOut "IDD",13
	GoSub GetVdrive2Prompt
Return
'
FS_Mode:
 	HRSOut "FS",13
	GoSub GetVdrive2Prompt
Return
'
ECS_Mode:
 	HRSOut "ECS",13
	GoSub GetVdrive2Prompt
Return
'
GetVdrive2FwVers:
 	HRSOut "FWV",13
	GoSub GetVdrive2Prompt
Return
'
SynchronizeVdrive2:
 	HRSOut "E",13
	GoSub GetVdrive2Prompt
 	HRSOut "e",13
	GoSub GetVdrive2Prompt
Return
'
GetVdrive2Prompt:
	prompt = HRSin, {100, BailVdrivePrompt}
	HRSOut2 "prompt = ", ISHEX prompt, 13
	GoTo GetVdrive2Prompt
Return
'
BailVdrivePrompt:
'
Vdrive2_error:
	HRSOut2 "Vdrive2 Buffer empty ", 13, 13
	DelayMS 1000
Return
'
'******************************************************************************
'
' Main Loop
'
'******************************************************************************
'
Main_Loop:
    GoSub IDD_Mode
    DelayMS 1000
GoTo Main_Loop'
End							' Done.

[Richard]

I've just been connecting mine up using a breadboard with a max232. I was suprised I could read the serial data as I assumed it would be inverted. Does this mean if I use the hardware uarts on the pic, it will have to go through an inverter first ?

Also, the chip powers up in 9600 baud, and you need to issue a command at this baud rate to change to a higher baud (and it doesn't save the new setting). Is there anyway of getting it to power up in 115200 ? or will I have to change the baud setting in my Proton code after I've changed the chip's baud rate ?

(BTW I got no response at all from it until I grounded the CTS pin).



Thanks

[Richard]

Solved it.

The firmware can be customised using this tool prior to putting on the USB drive (which then upgrades the chip on power-up) -

http://www.vinculum.com/downloads/VncFwMod.zip

Now I just have the job of getting my 16F877A running at 20MHz to do 3000000 baud.

Is that even possible ?