On Thursday 28 April 2005 11:59 am, Pavel Machek wrote:
> Hi!
>
> > > sl-5500 has peripheral controller, but sl-5600 and newer should have a
> > > host controller. [Unfortunately mine is 5500.]
> >
> > I think you're wrong about all except possibly the very latest ones
> > using pxa27x chips. The pxa25x based products would need a separate
> > controller chip to get host functionality. I know for a fact that
> > even the C-860 doesn't have one integrated; folk use that CF/IO card,
> > with an sl811hs driver, if they crave a USB keyboard or flashdisk.
>
> I searched web a bit, on amazon pages:
>
> Sharp Zaurus SL-6000L Handheld
That's sort of an exception, designed originally for IBM as I recall
and not originally as a "consumer" product.
> ...
> * Input/Output: USB 1.1 host connector mini Type-A, IR port, 2.5
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Making me wonder what controller chip it uses ... or alternatively,
if that listing is wrong. (It's been known to happen...)
> Okay, that's strange. Mini conectors are only device-side, right?
It's just a wee bit rare. There are three kinds of USB "Mini"
sockets, used with "Mini-A" or "Mini-B" connectors on cables:
- Mini-A, as above ... host only. The Psion NetBook does this
too (pxa 255 based, sl811hs host, no USB peripheral). Used
normally with an adapter, Mini-A to standard-A/socket, plus a
more standard A-to-B cable like you'd use with a PC.
- Mini-B, what you're thinking of ... peripheral only. I've seen
this on a variety of USB peripherals by now. Cables normally
go Mini-B to standard-A
- Mini-AB, OTG-only ... you can connect either the Mini-A end
of a cable into it, or the Mini-B end. The device acts as
either host or peripheral, as necessary.
I'd rather see OTG devices, with Mini-AB sockets, than Mini-A; but
OTG takes a while to adopt.
> If c-860 does not have usb, I was probably wrong (or confused by
> something like above...)
Just confused. Mini-A is indeed not common. C860 does have USB,
except it's the peripheral support (like most all PDAs I've seen).
- Dave
