Re: Home Grown ActionTec Development Daughterboard

Bruce D. Lightner wrote:

>> As far as the USB goes.
>>
>> Patrick's post:
>>  http://www.express.org/pipermail/actionhack/2004-February/000670.html
>>
>> said he used the following cable:
>>  
>> http://www.pactech-inc.com/allhtmlpage/usb_html/USB%20CABLES%20&%20ADAPTERS_files/PC-USB-FF.jpg 
>>
>> This cable appears to have the following SIP pinout:
>> 1- Red - USBPWR detect
>> 2- White - USB(-)
>> 3- Green - USB(+)
>> 4- Black - gnd
>> 5- Black - gnd
>>
>> Is this standard, no idea, but the one I bought from Fry's for an old 
>> computer was also like this one and it plugged straight in.  Anyone know?
>
> A little research shows that this PacTech USB adapter is sold a Fry's 
> and is all setup for "panel mount"...with mounting hardware included 
> (bonus!).  You get two cables for the price of one "adapter".  I'll bet 
> these are cheap.
> 
> I'll get one instead of cutting up a USB A/B "extender cable".  In the 
> worst case it'll need re-wiring at one end until my PCB's pinout is 
> altered.  I like your idea.

I picked up two different versions of this at Fry's yesterday, both made 
by PacTech at ~$6 each.  It is perfect!  That work's out to be ~$3 per USB 
connector assembly, including "panel mount" harware that should allow 
simple integration into the Actiontec enclosure.

For the current PCB design (which arrives on Wednesday), the pins on the 
0.1" connector can be removed and re-inserted to match the PCB's 4-pin 
connector pinouts, and the extra 5th connector pin can be cut off, or 
allowed to "hang over" on one end.  (I have lot's of fun with my Dremel 
tool, tiny files and an Exacto razor knife!)

BTW: Does anyone know if it is going to be possible to make the Actiontec 
USB port a "controller", like a USB port on a PC?  I know a source of +5V 
would be required.  This would allow for the addition of some 
"interesting" peripherals, like hard drives, 802.11b "dongles", etc.

The other option may be to figure out how to add a compact flash interface 
using the J5 connector's 8-bit I/O port.  I know that a "funky" driver 
would be needed to access it, but that too would give some interesting 
peripheral options, including expanded flash memory, "micro" hard drives, 
WLAN, etc.

Best regards,

Bruce

-- 
  Bruce D. Lightner
  Lightner Engineering
  La Jolla, California
  Voice: +1-858-551-4011
  FAX: +1-858-551-0777
  Email: lightner-2huV/[email protected]
  URL: http://www.lightner.net/lightner/bruce/

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