Moving on to USB Device MSD

I started the next phase of design implementing the USB device mass storage device.  This went unusually fast, especially as compared to the last few weeks.  My first attempt enumerated the drive on my PC, but the media failed to mount.  I went back to my FAT Test project just to make sure nothing else changed and that works just fine.

Next step is to integrate the console feature so I can send debug messages out of the serial port to the PC.  Also have a strange event in that once the PC enumerated the drive the starter kit onboard debugger disconnects.   A web search shows this can happen for several reasons, one being wrong configuration descriptors.  Not critical yet, but something to keep an eye on.

I have a working FAT

Well it has been 3 weeks of work on and off to get here.  But I finally have a working file allocation table using a SST26 Flash.  I have made some big changes to the driver so that it will continue to work with both SST25 and SST26 Flash.  Unfortunately I have no way right now to test it with SST25.

Things I changed:
1. Updated the array of supported parts to include all of the SST26 parts
2. Updated the geometry function to be expandable to just about any flash IC by using a large switch statement.  Probably is a better way to do this, but at the time this was easiest.
3.  Changed the flash detect to first find the JEDEC ID and then populate all of the needed functions.  This change eliminated all of the older SST25 parts that did not support the JEDEC ID command.
4.  Separate unlock processes for SST25 and SST26 devices.
5.  Finally had to change the type of one variable, since the SST26 can program in page size.  An 8bit unsigned int was not going to work.

There are other items that were changed and it is best if you do a diff on the original files and the ones I eventually post, just so you know waht was changed.

What I have working is the SST25FAT example.  Not the best test of the driver changes.  Next I am going to integrate the USB MSD drivers so that I can test the drive with a PC.  That way I can write a PC program to read and write the drive with various size files to verify that it works.  Once I know that it is working I will post the firmware here, probably  will be a link back to the website.

More to come!

New Brick Controller

I have been working on a new Brick Controller Design.  The intention is to upgrade the current design for

• TYPE-C interface
• More 9VDC power for the motors
• New LED controller for up to 10 LEDs
• BT Interface

Option add on board

• MP3 Player with audio amp
• USB Mass storage for storing the MP3 file.

After studying this  for a while, I became concerned that a PIC18F was not going to have the horsepower to do all of this.  Plus the latest Microchip libraries are pushing towards the PIC32.  So I started with a PIC32 development board, PIC32MX Curiosity and some Mikroe Click Boards.  First thing was tho get the development board to look like a USB MSD.  There was an example of this using a Click micro USB SD card.  This came up very easily and worked like it was supposed to.  But I didnt really want to put in an SD card when I only need about 5MB of storage for the MP3 file.

So I moved on to a Click Flash with a SST26VF064 on it.  This gives just under 8MB, which should be enough.  However the PIC32 Harmony framework only supports SST25 (now discontinued) on SPI. There is a SST26 driver for SQI.  However, the PIC32MX does not have inherent SQI.  Trying to get this working has been frustrating and from reading the forums, I am not alone.  I have the SST25 driver modified and I can see the correct initialization sequence on the scope, but reading has proven to be illusive.  I will say this, if I ever get this to work, I intend to post the project here so other people dont have to go through what I did.

New Year Starts

After taking a few months off to do other things, it is a new year and time to start working on the next set of new devices.

So what am I attempting to do   Most of the work revolves around USB Type C power delivery.  Building new USB power modules that use Type C connectors and thus can deliver more than the 5-7W of a typical USB connection. This also applies to the Brick Controller which will be able to deliver more power to the motors.

Here is a 3D model of the test prototype of the Type C power module.  From this design it looks like I will be able to maintain the 1.5 x 1.5 inch size of the previous modules.  This is the area contained inside the four mounting holes.  I have added a small PIC18F area(to the right) so that I can monitor the STUSB4500 during the test process,   In the end the configuration will be programmed into NVM on the IC and this wont be needed.

The other project is the new brick controller.  Besides adding Type C, I want to add an MP3 player and storage for music that appears as a USB drive, as an option.  With USB HID and MSD, MP3 and BTLE interface, a PIC18F is not going to make it.  So I am moving this design to a PIC32.  Some what of learning experience, since the Harmony Configurator is taking some time to get use to.  I am prototyping the design using a PIC32MX470 Curiosity development board for now.  With two expansion slots it should make it easier to do.  Here is a stock picture of the development board.

 

Maker Faire San Diego

We had an outstanding experience at the San Diego Maker Faire (#makerfairesandiego).  We want to thank everyone who helped make it an event to remember.  Looking forward to next year. Don’t forget we are honoring the Maker Faire prices until Oct 15 at the store website, www.mymakertools.com .

First Day at Maker Faire San Diego

Hope everyone is having fun at the first day of the #makerfairesandiego at Balboa Park! We will be at our booth in the Fleet Science Center tomorrow October 7 showcasing our Brick Design powered by the #MakerPower control bricks. Don’t forget we are also currently having a sale at the store website, www.mymakertools.com . Hope to see you there!

Here is our booth and some closeups.

Maker Faire San Diego

We will be at the San Diego Maker Faire this weekend. To celebrate, most items are on sale for the event. If you can't make the Faire, then checkout the prices on our website.