Dario Greggio wrote:
> 
> Maxim MAX3421 (IIRC)
> 
> and if you take a look at the http://forum.microchip.com , I've been 
> carrying on a thread about USB-host, examining available chips...
> 
> 

You have your work cut out for you!  Knowing nothing about the Maxim and 
Cypress parts, I just took a quick look at them (at their web sites).

There is plenty to consider and I didn't spend much time considering;>

Recently, I tried out the VNC1L from Vinculum (FTDI).  I like what I 
have seen so far.

It supports 2 USB ports on the one side and on the other, has an 
interface that can be configured as either a uart, a parallel port or an 
SPI port.  So it's quite flexible in that regard.

If you buy chips, they come blank.  If you buy one of their "gadgets", 
they come with their VDAP software installed.  This firmware knows about 
  FAT32 file systems. You can create files and directories, read/write 
data, delete same, and so on.  I don't know exactly what their 
arrangement is as far as buying chips and then using their firmware in 
them.  I would check that point with them before committing to a design.

They sell a version called VMUSIC2 which is what I have.  It has only 
one USB port attached to the chip.  Also on the board is a DSP chip that 
has firmware to decode MP3 files.  You can stick a USB flash drive stick 
into it and send commands via uart or spi and play the MP3 files. It has 
  a stereo jack such as is used for desktop computer speakers.

They provide flash updates either through the monitor port (uart) or you 
can put the file on the flash drive, power up and it automagically finds 
the file and reflashes itself.

I'm going to make some mischief with mine and put it into some gadget 
that no one here knows about.  Suddenly, it will gain the power of 
speech. Mayhem will ensue.



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