USbee E Block

[JohnCrow]

Hi Benj
Ive thinking of buying this module.

But while I've been looking at the software for the USbee module, I have a few questions.

There seems to be 2 versions on the manufacturers site, where your page links to.

The USB Suite which is the one shown in the EB070 data sheet.
The data sheet says it has a signal generator built in but I've not been able to see this option in this program. Is this option only available when the hardware is connected.

I have also downloaded another version which looks like it was written in visual basic 6.
This has 2 seperate parts, the analyser and a signal generator.
Reading the first 2 points on page 5 of the EB070 data sheet, It looks as though its instructing me to install both packages.

Thanks

[Benj]

Hi John,

I really like this product, think I have two on my desk for use testing E-blocks and Flowcode.

There are two versions of the software.

1) The suite which is used for data analysis and packet decoding eg UART data.

2) The test pod software which as you say is not as flashy as the suite but can be used to inject data onto the USBee or can be used for more advanced triggering features etc.

You can install either or package but I would recommend having them both.

[petesmart]

Chaps,

I purchased one of these devices, it's very good, worth the money.

I also purchased USB suite full version, direct from CWAV..It has all of the decoders etc... I have used it extensively on I2C both decode and bus simulation...Especially the packet display it's great for troubleshooting..

On the basic software applications the pulse counter and frequency counter are very useful...

I would definitely recommend both software applications suites, both are free from the USBee website, as I said earlier I did purchase the full version after playing with the free version.

John, Interested in your experience should you decide to go ahead...

Pete

[JohnCrow]

Hi Pete

Yer Im going to get one , most likey next month
Ive been looking at the software packages, its looks very useful device.
The free software should do all I want for now but have to see later about upgrading that.

Ive been playing with an I2C project that Im having trouble getting to work so might solve the problems with that.
I'll let you know how I get on with it.
Thanks for the input

[JohnCrow]

Just taken the plunge and ordered one
Hopefully will be here before Easter so I will have plenty of time to play with it

[DavidA]

Hope you find it useful, we sure do here, we are in the process of improving the documentation of the product, I will send it to you when its nearly ready if you want? so if you can think of anything we can improve you can let me know!

[JohnCrow]

Thanks David
That would be great.

[JohnCrow]

Hi Benj
Just sent you a pm about my EB070

[Benj]

Hi John,

Got your PM and we are looking into it now. Thanks for letting me know.

[Sparkoids]

If I put this thing in series with a USB keyboard can it display the Scan Codes coming from the keyboard and output them to the computer?

I'm trying to read an extended Apple Mac USB keyboard but nothing and I mean nothing will display the codes from certain keys.

I've tried it on PC's, Macs with numerous programmes and nothing reads the keys but they work only on the Mac and it's driving me nuts.

If this gadget can analyse USB data then I'm in for one - worse case scenario Ben the things being sent to you at work to test before I buy!!

lmk


James :-}

[JohnCrow]

Hi James
Dont have any experience with Macs. Is the USB keyboard used on a MAC different to a normal PC keyboard?

I would think if you put the RS232-USB E-block on the downstream side of the TestPod with a simple program to read the keyboard and display on an lcd, you might get something on the pod.If I get time I'll try and set something up and test it with a PC USB keyboard.

Ive used it to test the output of a IR remote handset that my flowcode program would not read, (it did read another handset so I know the system works)
It shows a the handset had a different waveform to the working one. i.e the Eblock read the IR signal but flowcode did not decode it. So that was something solved Id been wondering about for a while.

But Im am certainly very impressed with it, been looking at the signals from a few different things since I bought it. Personally I did think twice before ordering as they are a little bit expensive, but now I've got one my opinion is, it is well worth the money.
Plus it is also a very versatile signal generator too.

John

[Benj]

Hello,

I think Apple basically make their money from being different and custom so the keyboard was probably designed specifically so it wouldn't work with anything else. This is how Apple make their money, you pay for all these customisations. Take iPods for example you cannot use them without iTunes.

With a USB keyboard wouldn't you have to connect it to a valid host eg a MAC and then tap into the electrical signals. I think simply powering the keyboard and looking at the signals won't do anything because the onboard micro will be trying to enumerate and will not do anything else until this is successful.

I agree with your statement John, the USBee modules / E-block are expensive but they are certainly worth the expense. As a side note the USBee test pod module is also fitted into our Workstation products.

[Sparkoids]

Hi John,

A Mac is just a PC with a different OS installed - everything works perfectly between the two - Windows flies on a Mac.

If you plug a USB keyboard in it just configures it either as a AT101 or whatever and if it's not sure you press a key so the OS can identify it.

On the Mac keyboard here: http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MB110B/B It is simply the best keyboard ever built regardless of which machine it is plugged into - it is a stunningly comfortable piece of equipment to use but some of the function keys work as function keys but not the secondary function a Mac alone uses.

I want to find out what the scancodes are to the Mac but they are not recognised by and of the key mappers etc.

The main problem with Mac's is the detachment from the nitty gritty stuff that. I know it keeps things compatible but can be limiting...

i like the sound of the gadget I must say...

[Sparkoids]

Hi Ben,

Since the move to Intel years ago Mac's became PC's so everything works between the two perfectly - colleagues of mine just format the drives and run them as PC's with Windows on or Linux.

Apple have a free program called BootCamp that dual boots on startup - you just select the PC or Mac icon. Personally I've never run Flowcode on a PC and have been with you guys for many many years although I use emulation for Windows 7 on my Core 2 Duo machine.

Yes on plugging into the Windows or Mac Lion or Linux OS but none of them display the scancodes with various programs - the Windows and Linux machines then ignore the keys but the Mac reads them for screen dimming, volume etc. And so does the PC except for three I'm trying to read. In other words Apple hardware running Windows natively loses no function at all (although drivers for webcams etc may need loading) but some of the special keys are ignored.

This is also the same irrespective if the keyboard is wired or bluetooth and it's driving me nuts!!

Thanks for your thought both in any event....

[Benj]

To be fair I'm probably thinking of the Mac I had back in the early 90's. I didn't know they were so compatible with PC and Windows stuff now so that's good to hear. I do remember seeing a PC emulator available for my Mac but it was buggy as hell and didn't support the Windows registry properly. Glad Windows / Flowcode works ok on them now though

[Sparkoids]

Hi Ben,

Yes there were some bad old days!

What is good is MPLAB X from Microchip on the Mac. It 'feels' like a Mac program if you know what I mean.

Did you have any joy on getting the GSM E Block to work on Flowcode 5 btw?

I only ask because I'm sold on the new software, well the interface at least....