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USB AMC solution?

Discussion in 'SimTools compatible interfaces' started by tronicgr, Jul 17, 2008.

  1. tronicgr

    tronicgr

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    Hi

    I need your opinion on a solution I found to add USB support on my AMC controllers.
    After a lot of research I seen this FT232RL chip that seems the most appropriate way. It supports USB2.0, all UART baud rates, internal EEPROM for storing USB VID, PID, serial number and product description strings.

    The chip is unfortunately available only in 28 Pin SSOP and QFN-32 packages but I found this breakbox from SparkFun electronics very cheap.


    http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc ... cts_id=718

    And the datasheet of FT232RL:

    http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/IC/FT232R_v104.pdf


    It was out of stock on the Sparkfun site, so I ordered a similar product from ebay that is a USB to RS-232 FTDI FT232RL EVALUATION BOARD:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0241887960


    What do you think? Can I use it to convert my AMC controllers into a plug 'n' play USB device with unique device description that X-sim software can recognize and setup automatically?


    Regards, Thanos
    tronicgr, Jul 17, 2008
    #1
  2. tronicgr

    tronicgr

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    Anyone?

    Anyway, I was thinking to interface it in such way that my AMC is controlled directly by the x-sim software by DLL driver. That means that it won't use serial port (even virtual) anymore...

    Regards, Thanos
    tronicgr, Jul 18, 2008
    #2
  3. Alle

    Alle Member

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    Thanos,

    I think that this is a good idea.
    What I think is that, more plug 'n' play is a solution simpler is for new users.
    Many users are not familiar with electronic devices, even for simple things such as a simple configuration, and this solution can help us/them a lot.

    Your AMC controller is becoming day by day the perfect device to be used with X-Sim, so the idea to control your AMC directly by the x-sim software by DLL driver is very interesting.

    I'm completely new in USB issue, but if you need help/support to develop this thing I'm here to help you.

    Regards,
    Alle
    Alle, Jul 18, 2008
    #3
  4. tronicgr

    tronicgr

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    Thanks Alle, :thbup:

    The DLL that could drive the USB AMC device exists already (D2XX.dll) but there is some code that must be written in the x-sim software to control this DLL and eventually the USB AMC device...

    Take a look on this programming guide:
    http://www.ftdichip.com/Documents/Progr ... XXPG34.pdf

    Maybe I should contact Sirnoname to work out this toggether. :?

    Regards, Thanos
    tronicgr, Jul 18, 2008
    #4
  5. egoexpress

    egoexpress Active Member

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    Though USB is a cleaner way to connect, which I do prefer as well, I think it would be more important to work out the encoder input before.
    ;P

    Regards
    Christian
    egoexpress, Jun 3, 2009
    #5