USB HUB

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) General Frequently-Asked Questions
1

Hello all!

Well I have decided to give up on wireless as it seems to be a pain in the ass to get going.

So my solution is to have all 10 objects talking to a base unit via USB cables. So what I need to build is a board which has 10 USB inputs and 1 USB output. It will probably be a shield on a Duemilanove.

I think I will need to externally power it if I want each unit to receive the 5V down USB. But can I use the digital pins on the Duemilanove to read the values coming down the USB cables?

If that makes sense... Floating the idea for now... How do normal USB busses work?

2

If that makes sense... Floating the idea for now

Sorry no. You can't easily do that with USB let alone use an Arduino board.

3

But you can use serial!

4

A VDIP can be USB host and the talk to the Arduino over a serial connection. I am not sure if it can handle 10 connections through a USB HUB but it might be worth checking.

5

Maybe the OP just wants to use USB cables for something else? Aside from probable confusion, it's not that bad an idea. Somewhat robust connectors, designed to carry power, cables are plentiful and cheap, usually shielded.

6

Hmm not sure if i'm explaining this very well. How about this:

Say there is a unit built with a Mini Pro. Built ontop of it is a usb out. The data out cable of the usb is wired to the TX pin on the Mini Pro.

Then that plugs into a unit where the data in cable on the usb is wired to port 10 on the Duemilanove.

So when a button on the mini pro is pushed, it uses Serial.print(1)... and it is read at the other end by using the digitalRead function on pin 10?

Not sure if that is any more clear. tep suggested using Serial, how would this work?

7

Still ???? here, not a clue what you are trying to accomplish. Perhaps a picture or drawing?

Lefty