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+--- Thread: USB Question - just to be sure (/showthread.php?tid=5078)
USB Question - just to be sure - maxmaxoumax - 01-08-2020
So i'm still working on my freeplay cm3 and try to create my very own "deluxe" machine. I'm working on adding a 4-port usb hub with 1 port for wifi, 1 port for bluetooth and 1 port for the external usb connector. I've been following the famous video on youtube:
Here's my question and I haven't found any info on this:
So it absolutely makes sense to me that you're supposed to cut the usb + and - on the center of the freeplay board to the external USB to get the data flow through the ext D+ and ext D- connectors (to connect the external USB to a USB hub).
now the unit in the video doesn't have an add-on board. I do, though. so my mainboard USB connections are already taken by the add-on board.
so here's my logic:
because of that, I also will have to cut the original USB connections to the add-on board (the 5 pins) and rather connect the add-on board to the fourth connection of my USB hub, right? So it would go: 1: add-on board, 2: external USB female socket, 3: wifi, 4: bluetooth.
this way, I will be able to mount the usb hub via the original freeplay PCB USB connections, right?
RE: USB Question - just to be sure - Flavor - 01-08-2020
You can post a photo of which add-on board you have, but it should be the same for all of them.
The add-on board should not use the USB connections in any way. They are just used to add rigidity to the add-on board's connection to the main board.
So, the install should work the same if you have the add-on board or not.
RE: USB Question - just to be sure - maxmaxoumax - 01-08-2020
aaaah-ha! didn't know that, seemed plausible to me that such a powerful add-on would somehow need usb. good to know
thank you!
RE: USB Question - just to be sure - Darin - 01-17-2020
Are there any reasons to use the USB connections at all?
RE: USB Question - just to be sure - Flavor - 01-18-2020
They are meant to allow people to "hack" their system a bit, I guess. We toyed with an add-on that added an internal USB hub (like the video in the original post above), but it never seemed important and worth the extra power draw.
I don't mean it's not worth it for individuals to do. I just don't think enough people want it to make it a separate product. If you wand to add permanent USB devices internally, you can do it like he did. Otherwise, you just ignore those pins.