> I'm inclined to believe that there would be a lot of 'cheating' that
    > you could do if all you wanted to do was read a (single) USB FLASH
    > disk, but the result would likely be  vendor-dependent

    I am assuming that you are addressing me, using a Cypress SL811HS in
    host mode? I appreciate any comments.

No, this was aimed more at the original poster, trying to drive the USB
disk with an absolute minimum of HW and SW.


    I'm inclined to think that the USB Flash disk will be a bulk memory
    array.  Since it is compatible under every O/S, its unlikely to vary
    among vendors at all as far as the USB is concerned. Since It will be
    the only device on the bus, it should register easily.

I was thinking more along the lines of putting a logic or USB protocol
analyzer between your PC and the USB flash drive, and seeing what
"messages" are actually exchanged, rather than trying to implement the USB
specs.  You don't need hub management, or real-time capability, or
(probably) LOTS of stuff that's usually considered necessary to be a USB
master.  It's sort of the logical equivilent of using an IRDA port to do
TV infrared remote control...

THe "flash disks" I've used all show up as "USB Mass Storage Devices",
which means they look like a disk rather than a memory array (whatever THAT
means.  Probably got logical "sectors" and such.)  While I'll bet they all
use similar chips, there might be details that you'd get wrong when
cheating...

BillW

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