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Reference design allows rapid USB mass storage interface development

3rd April 2007

Future Technology Devices International Limited

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Future Technology Devices International (FTDI) has announced availability of the VF2F2 reference design module for its Vinculum VNC1L embedded USB host controller. The design incorporates a practical firmware application that demonstrates file transfer using the USB mass storage class interface. It permits moving files from a USB device, such as a digital camera, to a USB flash disk. The design could also be used to transfer files between other mass storage class devices such as MP3 players or between two USB flash disks. The module is equipped with two USB type A sockets and four control buttons. An onboard DC-DC converter provides 5V and 3.3V supply from the attached battery pack that holds 2 x AAA cells. Four LEDs provide indication of flash disk enumeration, file copy, power and error conditions.

The VNC1L IC provides all USB host interface and data transfer functions in addition to encapsulating the USB device classes. It also manages the file allocation table (FAT) structure by use of a straightforward command set. Vinculum is based around a unique 8-bit processor as the controller. A 32- bit co-processor provides file system calculations and two direct memory access (DMA) engines handle data transfers. The device contains 64Kbytes of embedded flash program memory and 4Kbytes of internal data SRAM. Programming of its 8-bit core is by an easy to use high level assembly language that typically produces code half the size of other similar controllers. The VNC1L is specifically targeted at embedded USB controller applications. The single, low power IC requires just a crystal and a few passive components to bring USB connectivity to a wide range of devices that previously did not have the capability.

The VF2F2 is supplied fully assembled together with schematics, firmware and printed circuit board gerber files. They are also available for download from the Vinculum web site. http://www.vinculum.com/