USB help: Whitepapers help engineers incorporate USB into embedded systems

To help overcome the lack of information available concerning the use of USB in embedded systems, Micro Digital has recently released four white papers. Written by Yingbo Hu, R&D embedded software engineer, the whitepapers are free.

By Control Engineering Staff January 15, 2009

Costa Mesa, CA — To help overcome the lack of information available concerning the use of USB in embedded systems, Micro Digital has recently released four white papers. Written by Yingbo Hu, R&D embedded software engineer, the whitepapers are freely available on the company’s Website , as an embedded community service.
Ways to Use USB in Embedded Systems has clear diagrams and brief descriptions of 11 ways to use USB (universal serial bus) in embedded systems. It states, “USB usage in embedded systems so far has been largely centered on dealing with the loss of serial and parallel ports on PCs and laptops, the loss of parallel interface printers, and with capitalizing on the low cost and convenience of USB thumb drives for transporting information. However, USB offers many other capabilities that are available to solve other problems in the embedded space. We expect to see these uses grow in the future.” How to Select a USB Host Controller is aimed at developers with no USB experience. Choosing the best USB controller for their product can be a daunting task. Based upon his experience in writing a large number of USB controller drivers, Mr. Hu provides some insight into the process.
Real Embedded USB Host Performance helps engineers decide whether USB is the right choice to meet their performance objectives, select proper hardware, and implement the design. The experience of many developers with USB is limited to its use with 3 GHz PCs. Hence, it is natural for them to assume that there is no problem achieving near wire-speed in their embedded applications. However, typical 32-bit embedded processors run about 50 times slower than modern PCs and smaller processors are even slower. All of the factors affecting USB performance in embedded systems are discussed in this white paper.
When to Use USB OTG discusses when it is appropriate to use USB OTG (On The Go) in embedded systems. Most people think that if there is a need to control USB peripherals and to connect to PCs or laptops, then they need OTG. This is not the case.
Also read:

USB helps connect the enterprise

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— Edited by C.G. Masi ,
Control Engineering News Desk
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