Re: Adding USB Interface to Low-Cost 8-Bit Microcontroller

On Mon, 9 Jun 2008 21:13:19 -0400, "David T. Ashley" <dta@xxxxxxxx>
wrote:

Hi,

I work for a company that produces low-cost consumer electronics that use
8-bit microcontrollers. These have the standard 8-bit whistles, like SPI,
SCI, etc.

We've kicked around the idea of allowing customers to re-FLASH our products.
The re-FLASHing would be facilitated by code we write that runs in the
microcontroller and reprograms a portion of the FLASH.

We have a handle on digital signatures and what would be required to prevent
a customer from "forging" a software load.

However, what is required to implement a USB interface in the product (for
an 8-bit microcontroller), and what is required as far as a driver on the PC
side? The goal would be that we distribute a re-FLASHing application to the
customer that runs on the PC. They would run this application with a USB
cable connected from the PC to our product.

What all is required (hardware, driver development kits, etc.)?

Thanks for all.

Lots.. you'll probably want to consolidate it on one controller, as
others have mentioned. Freescale probably has the most mature USB
support, but you can find many others (Microchip, etc.). It's even
possible that some 32-bit ARM variants are cost-competitive.
Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@xxxxxxxxxxxx Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Adding USB Interface to Low-Cost 8-Bit Microcontroller
    ... The re-FLASHing would be facilitated by code we write that runs in the microcontroller and reprograms a portion of the FLASH. ... We have a handle on digital signatures and what would be required to prevent a customer from "forging" a software load. ... However, what is required to implement a USB interface in the product (for an 8-bit microcontroller), and what is required as far as a driver on the PC side? ...
    (comp.arch.embedded)
  • Re: Adding USB Interface to Low-Cost 8-Bit Microcontroller
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    ... The re-FLASHing would be facilitated by code we write that runs in the ... a customer from "forging" a software load. ... an 8-bit microcontroller), and what is required as far as a driver on the PC ... What all is required (hardware, driver development kits, etc.)? ...
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    ... The re-FLASHing would be facilitated by code we write that runs in the microcontroller and reprograms a portion of the FLASH. ... We have a handle on digital signatures and what would be required to prevent a customer from "forging" a software load. ... However, what is required to implement a USB interface in the product (for an 8-bit microcontroller), and what is required as far as a driver on the PC side? ... What all is required (hardware, driver development kits, etc.)? ...
    (comp.arch.embedded)
  • Re: Adding USB Interface to Low-Cost 8-Bit Microcontroller
    ... The re-FLASHing would be facilitated by code we write that runs in the ... a customer from "forging" a software load. ... what is required to implement a USB interface in the product (for ... an 8-bit microcontroller), and what is required as far as a driver on the PC ...
    (comp.arch.embedded)