Alpha Micro Offers Development Platform For FTDI USB Embedded Host

Alpha Micro Components, a leading distributor of electronic components, has launched the new FTDI DLP-VLOG, a development platform based on the FTDI Vinculum Universal Serial Bus (USB) host controller IC. The platform is designed to demonstrate how straightforward the Vinculum is to design into any product with data storage needs, without extensive USB experience. It is configured as a simple data logging application designed to read temperature, humidity and voltage data and storing it on a standard 32MB USB flash drive (supplied). The DLP-VLOG provides a complete reference design for

developments using the new Vinculum as well as being a starting point for similar data logging applications.
The DLP-VLOG development kit includes a C compiler, device programmer, debugger and C source code for the microcontroller. Two Windows utility programmes assist in converting data to floating point values and setting up the real time clock. All documentation, source code and programs are provided on the supplied flash drive. A MicroChip microcontroller performs the data collection and illustrates the flexibility with which Vinculum can provide unlimited data storage for virtually any microcontroller, however small.
The VNC1L USB controller chip is designed to make it easy to integrate USB Host functionality into embedded products. Priced approximately 30% lower than traditional devices, the VNC1L comes complete with FTDI's in-house developed firmware and royalty free drivers so there are no USB software stacks to write, no license fees, and users require minimal knowledge of USB for successful, fast integration. FTDI’s VNC1L USB Host Controller IC is able to handle the USB Host Interface, and data transfer functions through the inbuilt 8/32-bit MCU and embedded Flash memory. When interfacing with mass storage devices such as USB Flash drives VNC1L transparently handles the FAT file structure communicating via a UART, SPI or parallel FIFO interfaces using a simple command set. As well as USB Flash drives, Vinculum can directly connect to digital cameras, PDAs, printers, keyboards and many other types of USB slave peripherals. A wide range of consumer and industrial products, such as intelligent domestic appliances, meter readers and vending machines, can be taken to the next level with USB connectivity.
Graham Arnott, Product Specialist at Alpha Micro commented: “The new DLP-VLOG platform will provide an excellent environment for the assessment and integration of Vinculum into a huge range of devices. It’s a competitively priced reference design for customers to base their designs on. Alpha Micro have been working with FTDI for nearly 10 years offering leading edge silicon with reliable drivers. The VLOG platform now helps customers integrate USB Host functionality”.
www.alphamicro.net/vinculum
Issued: January 2007 ENDS Ref am270

For more information please contact:
John Moore, Sales and Marketing Director
Alpha Micro Components
Springfield House, Cranes Road Sherborne St. John Basingstoke
Tel: 01256 851 770 Fax: 01256 851 771 Email: sales@alphamicro.net

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