Using the USB port as a serial port :-)

[taximania]

I've downloaded the free drivers/software from here,
Zeno USB Host Drivers Windows Mobile Pocket PC freeware software mobile friendly download

Apparently it/they work with WM5/6 etc.

I've ordered a 'small USB 'to 'female type A' converter from Ebay.
When it's delivered, I'll be able to try out the software with a Card Reader, mouse, 'SERIAL CONNECTION' etc with my O2 XDA Orbit.

If this actually works, the serial port bit, then

Watch this space

[mjcoon]

Errm, "the USB port"?

I thought most PDAs have a USB port but only a client-end port. My Pocket Loox is one of the rarer sort that has host-end too. I use it (with limitations) to connect to a USB stick or a keyboard.

But then it also has a native serial port, so I have no need to try USB-to-serial. Would you not need USB-host to do that?

Mike.

[taximania]

Hi Mjcoon.

Would you not need USB-host to do that?

The files I posted links to before seem to do just that.

My O2 xda doesn't have a Serial Port or IR built in.

Many of my 'projects' use Microchip Pic controllers.
Using the USB port on an Xda as a serial port to 'talk' to other devices
would be great for a lot of users of Basic4ppc.

[mjcoon]

Hi Taximania, I admit I was going by the "Host" in the link you gave, and my looking up the XDA and seeing it has a "direct" USB port, which can surely only be of one gender. (My Loox is indirect in that a proprietary multi-pole adaptor is needed to plug in USB or either gender or serial cables.)

On the other hand those drivers might work with my Loox; I see it mentions the Loox 560N which is the next one "up" from mine...

Cheers, Mike.

[taximania]

Quick update, no success

Nothing I plug into the USB port of my XDA is recognised.

But, and it's a small 'but'.
My XDA now has a 'Serial on USB' port at COM8: It didn't before.

I won't connect the XDA to a serial port just yet. 13V might fry the XDA.
So I'll mod a cable and see if it will talk to a MicroPic at 5V levels.

[ttu]

Hi Taximania,
Did you put FT232 chip to PDA usb bus and MAX232 level controller, like any usb-com cable has to provide RS232 connection?
I have Mio P560 device and I will try to do the same.
I wish good luck.
ttu

[taximania]

Originally Posted by ttu

Hi Taximania,
Did you put FT232 chip to PDA usb bus and MAX232 level controller, like any usb-com cable has to provide RS232 connection?
I have Mio P560 device and I will try to do the same.
I wish good luck.
ttu

I won't connect the XDA to a serial port just yet. 13V might fry the XDA.
So I'll mod a cable and see if it will talk to a MicroPic at 5V levels.

I'm thinking the installed libs might use the USB port in a serial RS232 type way, but only at the USB's 5V levels.
USB only uses 5V lines, so do my Microchip boards.
Therefore I'm going to 'try' a 5V connection with my new 'COM8' on the XDA.

[ttu]

Sorry, but I can not understand.
USB has differential transceiver wire pair (d+ and d-).
How can bee directlly Rx an Tx signals?

[taximania]

I will be using a Microchip 18F455 with USB support.

Microchip PIC USB source and sample code

Sorry My last post does look a little confusing

[taximania]

I've just downloaded 212mb of Microchip USB libs and demo's

I'm sticking to Bluetooth>Serial for now

I think the Xda USB port can 'source' a connected voltage or device.
eg. for charging etc
It certainley doesn't supply voltage via USB.

Good luck with your findings.
I'm giving my head a rest

EDIT: All the examples I came across are programmed in 'C'.
Even the link I posted earlier.
Yes I know 'C', but I can't get my puter to program Pics from compiled Hex files from C programs.