USB Host disconnected pin? - JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General

hello,
i've heard that the universal WOULD support USB host drivers if an unconnected pin inside the universal was connected... could anyone tell me;
- if i manage to get the pin connected, would i get usb host features like on any other usb host phone with proper drivers?
- how hard is it to do?
- WHAT to do?

Oh man,really really nice interesting idea,hope it's true and possible,i hope someone knows all about that and soon writes here how that is possible maaan,would be really awesome to play with that

PalDragan said:
Oh man,really really nice interesting idea,hope it's true and possible,i hope someone knows all about that and soon writes here how that is possible maaan,would be really awesome to play with that
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Click to collapse
nice to hear someone else would like to get it to work too
EDIT: just found this on another thread on another forum about a PXA270 phone, someone was trying to get it to work, seems like all we need is
- switch the pin to host mode
- a driver (maybe zenos latest ones?)
After about 6 months of not touching this project, I decided to take another quickie look at the PXA270 docs and programmers reference. What I now see is very interesting.
Originally, I was looking at bringing out the USB Host 1 interface pins to the outside world as they were only terminated internally on the motherboard. Only about 1% of users might be able to do that.
I then started to look at the USB OTG (On The Go) interface that this chip supports. The USB OTG interface can be used as both a client and host. It shares the same pins as the Axim's serial port. Unfortuately, there are two serial control lines pins that are not brought out to the connector, so I scrubbed that idea.
This past weekend I picked up the programmer's design reference book to look at how the various USB interfaces are programmed and I saw something that I missed before as this was in the USB Client section. It appears (to me anyways) that the USB Client pins can also be programmed to act as a USB Host when in the USB OTG low power operation mode. The manual discusses how the additional control registers are used along with an output mux and charge-pump circuit (to provide the +5v). Refer to the PXA27x Processor Family Developer's Manual - dated Jan 2006, sections 12.5.2 and 20.
I will be looking at this more closely to see if a simple driver can be written (Afarre, where are you...) to switch the USB client pins into Host mode. In addition to this, the USB device drivers would be needed. Please remember, an additional IO interface circuit will be needed to connect between any USB device and the Axim as the proper voltages are not on the sync connector.
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the_fish said:
nice to hear someone else would like to get it to work too
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Click to collapse
Suuuuuuuuuure,every crazy idea to abuse my PPC and i'm in for the quest

PalDragan said:
Suuuuuuuuuure,every crazy idea to abuse my PPC and i'm in for the quest
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Click to collapse
haha same, btw thats the link to the topic:
http://www.mobilitysite.com/boards/x50-x51-forums/140071-hacking-pxa270-internal-usb-host-24.html
Unfortunately, this means it's not for 99% of users as it requires a delicate hardware mod/addition to the motherboard (see my earlier posts & photos in this thread).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
seems like they were still working on the driver (which we already have(?)) so we only need the hardware mod.... i guess...

the_fish said:
haha same, btw thats the link to the topic:
http://www.mobilitysite.com/boards/x50-x51-forums/140071-hacking-pxa270-internal-usb-host-24.html
seems like they were still working on the driver (which we already have(?)) so we only need the hardware mod.... i guess...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ummm it's definately a crazy idea. We were discussing with mamaich (our guru) last year. Unfortunately it's not that simple to provide the power in sync connector, which is acting as a usb client (connector) at the moment.

tomal said:
Ummm it's definately a crazy idea. We were discussing with mamaich (our guru) last year. Unfortunately it's not that simple to provide the power in sync connector, which is acting as a usb client (connector) at the moment.
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Click to collapse
did you read in the thread i posted a link to? they had the same problem, but also found out that it maybe is possible to provide the nessecary +5v too, they were not sure tho, and i thought maybe zenos drivers contain the code to do that.

the_fish said:
did you read in the thread i posted a link to? they had the same problem, but also found out that it maybe is possible to provide the nessecary +5v too, they were not sure tho, and i thought maybe zenos drivers contain the code to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, seems there is a new idea of power injection from outside.
Anybody tried it...?

Couple of months ago, I was trying with outside +5v power but nothing happens

Win_XP said:
Couple of months ago, I was trying with outside +5v power but nothing happens
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you use one of those special USB cables that have two female USB-A, one for power and the other for the device to plug in?

http://htc-tytn-ii.handster.com/software.php?id=3339&for=HTC+TyTN+II
i don't know anything about this.. i'm actually looking to hook up something that normally has a rs-232 port.. but is also made in usb.. It draws power from another source
with something like that program doesn't that suggest usb host is possible..

http://gnalpgnarf.handster.com/software.php?id=3339&for=gnalpgnarf

hmmm....am I right or am I wrong?
Theoretically speaking the idea with a pin is supposed to redirect power from intake to output, however, not only Uni is incapable of supporting the output (you are essentially attempting to piggyback another device), the external support will not be possible due to pin configuration, regardless of the cable used.
Another thing, other than sheer experimentation, what would be the real point of such USB host?
STOP TORTURING YOUR UNIs, GUYS!!!!

I am pretty sure, that the Universal doesn't support USB Host.
It did not, it does not, it will not.
Sorry guys!
To be honest:
Yes, the PXA270 chip supports USB Host, but in most HTC devices they use this feature already for something else, like: WLAN or 3G connection.
DOMy

seen this?:
http://hhtinker.blogspot.com/2008/10/usb-host-on-treo-650.html

do you know what USB Host already busy?
it used as data call transfer radio <-> CE.
USB hub will not solve this problem easy.
also if you want attach it to miniUSB connector, you need additional OTG chip.
=> Host on universal is very hard to do, ...impossible.

Related

USB Host Capabilites

I read that engadget was able to get USB hosting working on the universal, however it appears that this is not possible (reading the threads here). I just wanted to confirm that using a 'usb dongle' to connect other devices to the universal does not work - as I thought that wm5 did support this. Is it just a question of drivers or is the hardward not capable?
Just to remind that topic...
I'm really interested is it possible to connect a portable harddrive to my MDA Pro?
i dun think so its true. If anybody proves this to be true, then please let us know.
noname_nick: have you found the engadget article?
V
@Vijay555,
It was a Q&A article they posted when they had just received the Universal. Should be there in their archives i guess.
Cheers.
I just checked with an sd card reader and a 40gig usb hdd....it didn't detect either :-(
don't think the universal supports usb hosting :-(
hope its just a software handicap and not a hardware one!
San
universaldoc said:
@Vijay555,
It was a Q&A article they posted when they had just received the Universal. Should be there in their archives i guess.
Cheers.
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Click to collapse
yeah I even posted in that engadget article asking to reconfirm their findings and thry did reply saying it could be used as a usb host as they had it dine themseves (it was one of the factors that made me get the universal) alas the dumbfuc*ers removed the ABILITY for usb host or maybe engadget was Forced to say yes(as in LIED) under pressure from htc etc??
just my 2 cents !
If I'm not mistaken, the hardware in the Universal supports USB Host. But it is not implemented in the software running on the Universal... It's like having a sound-card in your computer, but with no drivers to use it. Maybe there will be a patch or update for WM5 which supports USB Host.
Suspect that you need a USB host cable to have any chance of testing USB host functionality, this cable tells the PDA that it now needs to work in host mode.
The Sharp Zaurus has a similar arrangement where a single USB port can work in host or slave mode, which is switched using the relevant cable, link to such a cable http://www.streamlinecpus.com/store/product.php?productid=100&cat=0&page=1&featured
Suggest you search Zaurus forum (www.oesf.org) for more information.
Mike
does anyone has this cable and test it already?
It seems it will fit the mini USB port for the Universal?
Don't think it's native on the Universal - if it was, it ain't now. In the meantime, Softick Card Export II PC version 2.10 works great as USB Host services to the Storage Card!
Yes, I use the same thing on my Uni. I like it very much as i do not need a SD card reader anymore. But I still dream to be able to hook up my external slim HDD to my Uni.
Yes, I use the same thing on my Uni. I like it very much as i do not need a SD card reader anymore. But I still dream to be able to hook up my external slim HDD to my Uni.
vijay555 said:
noname_nick: have you found the engadget article?
V
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Click to collapse
Here is the article http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/02/...l-questions-weve-got-htc-universal/1#comments
I found driver for Toshiba E740 USB mass storage driver ( for PPC 2002) but maybe is a best way to find solution for Universal - it's look that only soft for this funcionality is missing :?: Deje PocketPC Page
usb host.....
USB standard provide 5 volt DC.
All HTC device have got 3,7v DC battery!! so it is not possible to power any kind of USB device!!.
The only way consist in voltage duplicator that should provide 5v using 3,7 v source, i think that HTC device has not this voltage regulator.
wishes
Antonio
fraant said:
USB standard provide 5 volt DC.
All HTC device have got 3,7v DC battery!! so it is not possible to power any kind of USB device!!.
The only way consist in voltage duplicator that should provide 5v using 3,7 v source, i think that HTC device has not this voltage regulator.
wishes
Antonio
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Click to collapse
the universal have the hw to have usb host functions but htc don't have put it to the out side world.
The mini-usb can't be used as initiator.
in thoery you could open the universal and hook another miniusb connector on the usb bus.... and then the drivers nightmare
Deje have drivers for mass-storage on ppc2003/ppc2 and they work fine.
I use both on casio-e200 and on the toshibare800.
btw:neither casio nor toshiba have 5v bateries and they work with external usb devices like keyboards mices etc, for disks i have to use external power...
bye

External USB hard drive

Does anybody know if it is possible to connect the phone to a USB hard drive?
only with flame and Athena as they are the only ones which support usb host
other devices cant use usb devices only be used by usb hosts normaly a pc
There was actually someone who developed a working hard disk storage driver for windows mobile but last I checked the site no longer offered it. Searched for days trying to find the file elsewhere. No luck. Cant think of the company that made the driver.
I'm bumping this as I am also after the same sort of program / utility.
I want to be able to access my External HD and view / play files off it... anyone able to help me out?
Maybe with a external powersupplied disk
Rudegar said:
only with flame and Athena as they are the only ones which support usb host...
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Click to collapse
Correct
Our Hermes has no usb host support. I found a topic at forum.brighthand.com which suggested the host functionality could be added with a usb host driver. I found the software (attached zip) but alas... Though I did exactly as the 'manual' (readme.txt) explained, the usb-stick did not appear in my explorer.
Possibly an external drive with external power supply might work because the hermes usb port is simply not powerful enough to supply the power to the usb-stick. However I did not "explore that possibility" (don't have one ) and chances are 'just a driver' is not enough and hermes lacks "usb host hardware".
dident read the post because you dident give a link to the post just the forum
but i doubt that it's a general thing
many pda's have usbhost in the cpu itself but htc never connected those connectors
so it's not wired to the connector they have their own usb chip
so if the post you read said it about any other pda then htc based one it could be that that manufactor did connect the usb but dident supply the driver which would then be fixed with what you found
Rudegar said:
many pda's have usbhost in the cpu itself but htc never connected those connectors
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Sounds like there could be the potential for a hardware hack...
heh, nice try. but it will end like GPS HW hack on the TyTN (aka Hermes). it is not worth it, I mean there is easy way, just buy device with GPS integrated, or buy external. I have electronic skills and proper tools, I can do such things but it is too complicated. in that hermes was problem, that antena was not properly connected and you can never get a GPS lock. I guess that with usb host is the same. missing circuitry.
Deuce Nitro said:
Sounds like there could be the potential for a hardware hack...
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Click to collapse
Yepp!
Hi,
this is correct
sinmae said:
heh, nice try. but it will end like GPS HW hack on the TyTN (aka Hermes). it is not worth it, I mean there is easy way, just buy device with GPS integrated, or buy external. I have electronic skills and proper tools, I can do such things but it is too complicated. in that hermes was problem, that antena was not properly connected and you can never get a GPS lock. I guess that with usb host is the same. missing circuitry.
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Click to collapse
The USB host port of the Samsung CPU is used to connect to the internal GSM/GPRS chipset. So no chance to break it up!
If someone would ever hack this hardware part, the result would be a hermes without radio.
The engineers at HTC used the USB host port to achieve the necessary bandwith for high speed data connection to the GSM/GPRS chips from Qualcomm.
Best regards,
scholbert
thats an interesting information, thanx
scholbert said:
The engineers at HTC used the USB host port to achieve the necessary bandwith for high speed data connection to the GSM/GPRS chips from Qualcomm.
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Is the USB master? Can I connect external HDD etc?

I wonder if the USB on the Nexus One allows me to connect an external hard drive. I'm only talking about data transmission with externally powered USB-devices. The N1 doesn't need to power USB-devices for me to be satisfied.
And if not: could the deficiency possibly be mended software-wise, or is it a limitation of the hardware itself?
Thanks beforehand!
no it cannot be the host. Read this on a google forum, someone posted the link as an answer to a similar question yesterday.
Thank you for your answer, britoso!
But oh, what a pitty!!!
Can't it possibly be fixed by booting with another software driver or something?
What's the point of removing this ability? It seems completely ridiculous. It gains nothing at all to "un-specify" USB host capability:
"Now, I have my files on this USB memory stick and here's the Nexus One. Oh, what's the use. Google didn't care at all about this kind of scenaria..."
Well, let's see what can be done with bulky wireless adapters and stuff like that then, to mend this unnecessary fail of the N1... I probably need to use a PC running Windows and a cable internet in order to have any use at all of the N1. Was this the purpose of this deliberate design "feature"?!?
this feature was not removed, but simply never implemented into the Android OS (afaik). if USB was host that means anything connected to it would have to draw power from the Nexus One's battery. Im sure HTC does not want this, because some things connected to USB can put incredible stress on a battery.
I thought the inability was due to a USB design that will allow charging, but doesn't allow hosting.
(at least that what I gathered about the n900 and why it couldn't act as a host.)
edit: nevermind nokia opted to skip on the go support to get the product out faster.
I don't know if there's a hardware limitation in place, but even if there isn't, the software does not support it.
There's an app for the n900 to add host support in the maemo repository. Don't know if it works though. I've always thought host support was due to the software.
Go here:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=738
Sign in with your google ID. Vote for the feature by clicking the star.
(While you are there, click on "Back to list" and browse for other issues/features you care about and "star" them too...)
Its been accomplished on the Droid... Host mode works, but as there are no drivers, anything that runs over usb will turn on / charge but not connect.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/10/droid-gets-a-usb-hack-allowing-it-to-control-printers-and-camera/
mikecyber said:
Its been accomplished on the Droid... Host mode works, but as there are no drivers, anything that runs over usb will turn on / charge but not connect.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/10/droid-gets-a-usb-hack-allowing-it-to-control-printers-and-camera/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for posting this as I saw this on another site and came here to raise awareness. I've heard that someone got a USB keyboard working over USB host. Could someone try this out on their N1?

[Q] USB otg?

I don't remember in which topic i saw it, but i remember two members were talking about this. Is this really possible with kernel support? Or does it also need hardware support?
It needs hardware support for power, but it should work on our device. I am actually planning on creating a modified USB cable, data pins from device and power pins from external source. I will let ya know when I come up with something.
Blefish said:
It needs hardware support for power, but it should work on our device. I am actually planning on creating a modified USB cable, data pins from device and power pins from external source. I will let ya know when I come up with something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it's possible! I heard you are working on CM9 and you may be busy but exactly when you can start working on this? And about the modified cable, is it something like cable with batteries basically? Thanks
emre.yv said:
So it's possible! I heard you are working on CM9 and you may be busy but exactly when you can start working on this? And about the modified cable, is it something like cable with batteries basically? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should be a Y cable, yes. I don't really know how the pins are connected but once I start working on it I'll seek it out.
Yes, I am working on CM9 and kernel. I have to get a stable CM9 up, then I can start working on those neat features .
U8850 OTG
Sorry to post in the U8800 area, but does anyone know if the U8850 hardware is capable of OTG USB - i want to use the phone to control stuff, and if the reply is positive, will drag down the kernel sources and make it so... but if we think the phone can't do it, then I'll go get another device....
Simon
btsimonh said:
Sorry to post in the U8800 area, but does anyone know if the U8850 hardware is capable of OTG USB - i want to use the phone to control stuff, and if the reply is positive, will drag down the kernel sources and make it so... but if we think the phone can't do it, then I'll go get another device....
Simon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not think U8800 is capable of USB OTG, but as you see, it is. It was only possible due to maintenance manuals, which showed which chips our phone has. I'd recommend you do the same. What I do know is, the U8860 has the same chip as U8800, so U8860 has the capabilities too, but not implemented.
Most of the times, the phone is capable of USB Host (with external power supply) and I ported it for our phone. But once I discovered we have a dedicated chip that can power USB, we went with full OTG support.
hi Blefish,
Got the manuals. u8850 has a msm8255 CPU; on qualcom website it does not quote OTG, but other sites seem to have OTG running on phones with 8255. I'm preparing to do a kernel build from Danile71's git tree, and will then look at your tree to see what you've added in /drivers/usb/otg and see what i can do.
Any hints appreciated .
Simon
btsimonh said:
hi Blefish,
Got the manuals. u8850 has a msm8255 CPU; on qualcom website it does not quote OTG, but other sites seem to have OTG running on phones with 8255. I'm preparing to do a kernel build from Danile71's git tree, and will then look at your tree to see what you've added in /drivers/usb/otg and see what i can do.
Any hints appreciated .
Simon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MSM8x55 is a good indication. In our case, U8800/U8860 both had the BQ24152 charger chip (both from same Snapdragon family), but there was a catch - it was controlled through GPIOS 149,150 as I2C. If you're browsing my kernel tree, you'll see that in drivers/usb/otg, I only added the switch. The switch makes the USB driver run as either host or peripheral, but it doesn't power the USB port (if you power USB externally, it will work). In my tree, the powering is done in board-u8800.c (vbus_power), which is directed to board-u8800-battery.c, which in turn notifies the BQ24152 driver, which sends the command.
If you need to browse U8800/U8860 maintenance manuals, check my #Mega (in Signature). It clearly shows U8860 has it, but for U8800, it only lists the BOM code. It would be perfect if U8850 manual would leak to the internet.
Blefish said:
It would be perfect if U8850 manual would leak to the internet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's not the best, but it's something:
(I can't post urls)
Google for "u8850_1_maintenance_manual"
Still trying to build a reliable kernel .
Blefish said:
MSM8x55 is a good indication. In our case, U8800/U8860 both had the BQ24152 charger chip (both from same Snapdragon family), but there was a catch - it was controlled through GPIOS 149,150 as I2C. If you're browsing my kernel tree, you'll see that in drivers/usb/otg, I only added the switch. The switch makes the USB driver run as either host or peripheral, but it doesn't power the USB port (if you power USB externally, it will work). In my tree, the powering is done in board-u8800.c (vbus_power), which is directed to board-u8800-battery.c, which in turn notifies the BQ24152 driver, which sends the command.
If you need to browse U8800/U8860 maintenance manuals, check my #Mega (in Signature). It clearly shows U8860 has it, but for U8800, it only lists the BOM code. It would be perfect if U8850 manual would leak to the internet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi blefish ı need your help for about self-powered otg
can you help me please??
here my thread in galaxy w device section
you can look for more info:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2517011
with my best regards :good:

OTG Support

While i was thinking is it possible to make OTG work on Touch Pro 2?
Any Software or ROM or Kernel updates will do?
You mean like USB Host Mode?
I don't think anyone looked into it. Android or WinMo...
arrrghhh said:
You mean like USB Host Mode?
I don't think anyone looked into it. Android or WinMo...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah , that is whats making me ask it, it would be awesome if that Hapenned., by the way is it Possible?
nikhil.pgm said:
Yeah , that is whats making me ask it, it would be awesome if that Hapenned., by the way is it Possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(Almost) anything is possible with enough time and determination...
Has it been done already? Not to my knowledge.
'Theoretically' you should be able to get this working. Like Arrrghhh said, anything is possible. I did get a usb otg cable for the rhodium (well, not FOR the rhodium, but 'theoretically' it should work) and found that this function is supported in the specs for our processor chip.
There are drivers and a pretty good source of information here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=480899
I never advanced past the point of realizing that while our phone 'probably' has the hardware to receive input from usb devices it cannot provide them with power to function. You seem to need to use an externally powered usb hub for those drivers to do you any good, and there really isn't anything On-The-Go about carrying around a usb hub and its power adapter! So it was at that point that I gave up. But, there is probably all the information you need in the thread I posted above to get you started.
Please post your findings if you have success/failure
Caldair said:
'Theoretically' you should be able to get this working. Like Arrrghhh said, anything is possible. I did get a usb otg cable for the rhodium (well, not FOR the rhodium, but 'theoretically' it should work) and found that this function is supported in the specs for our processor chip.
There are drivers and a pretty good source of information here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=480899
I never advanced past the point of realizing that while our phone 'probably' has the hardware to receive input from usb devices it cannot provide them with power to function. You seem to need to use an externally powered usb hub for those drivers to do you any good, and there really isn't anything On-The-Go about carrying around a usb hub and its power adapter! So it was at that point that I gave up. But, there is probably all the information you need in the thread I posted above to get you started.
Please post your findings if you have success/failure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Surely i would, leme work on that!
does the Froyo Build support OTG?
nikhil.pgm said:
Surely i would, leme work on that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1250199&highlight=7
its said that OTG isnt working in the Build
So does Android generally support OTG without any software support?
Can i get OTG support by just running in Android? ICS or CM or GB or Froyo?
[i m working on the Win6.5 OTG, ordered Host cable, waiting for it to arrive..]
nikhil.pgm said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1250199&highlight=7
its said that OTG isnt working in the Build
So does Android generally support OTG without any software support?
Can i get OTG support by just running in Android? ICS or CM or GB or Froyo?
[i m working on the Win6.5 OTG, ordered Host cable, waiting for it to arrive..]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That thread isn't talking about host mode, that thread is talking about transferring files via USB mass storage mode....
At any rate, I'm pretty sure the software simply supports it. Getting the hardware to talk properly is the hard part (again, as far as I understand it...)
arrrghhh said:
That thread isn't talking about host mode, that thread is talking about transferring files via USB mass storage mode....
At any rate, I'm pretty sure the software simply supports it. Getting the hardware to talk properly is the hard part (again, as far as I understand it...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i got the Female cable, but it never took the flash drive, dont know why? Tried Zeno's Drivers and Also Leo's too but its not working out, does it require an external power supply?
any one got it working ever?
nikhil.pgm said:
i got the Female cable, but it never took the flash drive, dont know why? Tried Zeno's Drivers and Also Leo's too but its not working out, does it require an external power supply?
any one got it working ever?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one ever got it working, I thought I made that perfectly clear...
I'm not sure what you need, again there's probably quite a bit of legwork that you'll need to do in order for it to talk on our devices. I don't think you can just "use" the LEO drivers in this case - however, adapting them might be a good place to start.
nikhil.pgm said:
i got the Female cable, but it never took the flash drive, dont know why? Tried Zeno's Drivers and Also Leo's too but its not working out, does it require an external power supply?
any one got it working ever?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought I read somewhere that the TP2 can not provide power. You had to use a powered usb hub + device to have a chance at getting it working.
The downside being that you had all this stuff to haul around if you wanted to use an OTG cable.

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