Re: [microblaze-uclinux] USB and Ethernet support

[Ivan <salorankatu@xxxxxxxx>]

El jue, 18-03-2004 a las 04:23, Hasjim Williams wrote:

> I am currently looking at designing a small USB host board for the
> Microblaze (in conjuction with John Williams), as part of my Masters
> project.

Great!!!

> At the moment, the only USB host chip that is in the uClinux 2.4.x
> kernel, is the Cypress SL811 (drivers/usb/host/hc_sl811.c).  There are
> plenty of other embedded USB host chips out there at the moment, ie
> Phillips ISP1161, Transdimension UHC124 to name but a few.  Some work
> will need to be done to whatever driver you use, though, in order for the
> driver to work with the microblaze architecture.

We are thinking to use a Cypress chip too. Now i don't remember the
reference. Initially I needed to know if there were drivers for USB
chips. Also, a core for this device is needed, isn't it?  

> At the moment we are still evaluating suitable ICs, etc.  I should have a
> draft document sometime next week, regarding possible suitable USB host
> devices for the Microblaze.  

Interesting!!

> Regarding Ethernet PHYs, AFAIK, it would only be a matter of adding
> support to the "xilinx_enet" driver, if the PHY wasn't already supported.
>  John could probably provide some more information about this though... 
> The CS8900 IC is an ISA Ethernet controller that can be fairly easily
> interfaced to any 8-bit or 16-bit bus.  I heard there was an earlier
> Masters student that did some work with interfacing the CS8900 to the
> Microblaze, but I think that work is incomplete.

Initially I try to use the LXT970A Ethernet PHY chip, because in a few
days I will have them. However, I will be waiting to know about the
CS8900 work.

> I assume you have heard that John is currently in the process of
> designing a custom board, the egret?  Is there any particular reason why
> you wish to create another custom board?

Sorry, but I didn't know it :)
Well, the idea of designing a custom board is due to a PhD student want
to desing it for his research work. He has experience in PCB board
design.

> If you are looking for interesting peripherals, I am sure there are
> plenty of others out there.  There was some talk regarding interfacing
> Firewire to the FPGA, or perhaps PCI, but these are definitely more
> complicated.  If you decide you want to add a USB host chip, then perhaps
> we can collaborate.  

Ufff!!! PCI peripheral is very very interesting. I know someone that has
designed PCI boards... but i think it could be a very hard work.

As regards USB peripherals, I am very sure about we use them. In a few
days I will notify you about it.

Regards,

	Ivan

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