Vinculum-II (VNC2) - Programmable USB 2.0 Host/Slave Controller IC

Vinculum-II is the 2nd generation of the FTDI Vinculum family of USB host/slave controller devices.

The VNC2 is a programmable dual USB 2.0 full speed Host/ Slave system on chip (SOC) controller which builds on, and enhances, the capacities and functionality of the VNC1L, the initial member of FTDI's Vinculum family. This has been achieved while reducing the device cost as well as introducing the capability for designers to develop their own application firmware and programme the host controller themselves.

The VNC2 boasts a powerful 16-bit MCU core with 256KB Flash, 16KB RAM and comes with a fully supported software development tool suite which is wrapped up in a GUI Integrated Design Environment (IDE). This is a free of charge and royalty free software development environment - which includes a compiler, driver, libraries, RTOS kernel, linker and debugger, allowing designers to fully utilise the increased memory and multitude of communication protocols handled by VNC2. The software development toolkit is based on the 'C' language and provides a comprehensive suite of object files to provide support for USB host functionality including USB Flash Drive (B.O.M.S.) storage, HID, USB COMMs class and FAT File functionality.

As you would expect the device features FTDI's award winning, tried and tested, firmware which is stored on-board in flash and can easily be updated ensuring your products are future proof.

Custom PID service
For volume applications Alpha Micro can provide a Product Identifier (PID) under the FTDI "umbrella scheme" that can be used to personalise a design based on the FT232Bx so that your end user will see your product name in the Windows Install Wizard for extra brand awareness.

There is an added benefit that the driver is tagged to your hardware and cannot be used by other devices. This feature can only be used with FTDI chips, the Vendor ID (VID) must remain untouched. Please contact our sales team for more information on this facility.

Customers should use MPROG to program this feature and any other changes to the default settings within the EEPROM (which must be fitted if this feature is required). MPROG is free to use and performs the programming tasks over the USB.

Can't quite find what you are looking for?
Why not contact the Alpha Micro sales team for your area or visit the product page at www.ftdichip.com

• Dual USB 2.0 Host / Slave controller.
• Embedded 16-bit Harvard architecture MCU core, with 256KBytes of Flash memory and 16Kbytes RAM.
• 2 x Full-Speed / Low-speed USB 2.0 ports supporting Host or Slave operation.
• Programmable UART interface, supports up to 6MBaud transfers.
• 8-bit wide FIFO interface.
• 2 x SPI slave interfaces, 1 x SPI master interface.
• PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) interface.
• 4 channel DMA controller, and general purpose timers.
• Support for reduced power modes.
• Multiple packages size options (32-/48-/64-pin QFN and LQFP packages).
• Backwards compatible with VNC1L with 48-pin LQFP package.
• RoHS compliant, and extended temperature support (-40°C to +85°C).
• Enhanced features with Vinculum Software Tool Suite
• Based on royalty-free flexible 'C' based Integrated Development Environment.
• Includes compiler, drivers and RTOS kernel to support user firmware development.
• Debug interface for real-time hardware based code debug.
• Pre-compiled libraries for several USB classes including FAT file system support.

• USB Flash drive to MCU / PLD / FPGA for data storage and firmware upgrades.
• Digital camera to storage interface. Flash drive to SD Card data transfer interface.
• Portable device interfaces e.g. Mobile phone, PDA, MP3 player and others.
• Set top box applications e.g. External data storage, debug port.
• PWM motor control applications e.g. Toys.
• Telemetry systems.
• Industrial control and medical systems applications.
• Enabling USB Host capability within an embedded product.

• Vinculum-II Datasheet

  Datasheet for the FTDI Vinculum-II Embedded Dual USB Host Controller IC.

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• Vinculum-II User Guide

  This document provides information and examples on using the Vinculum-II Toolchain, Firmware, Libraries and Sample code.

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• Migrating Vinculum Designs From VNC1L to VNC2-48L1B

  The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines for migrating VNC1L designs to VNC2.

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• Vinculum-II Development Tools

  Development tools and utilities to aid application development on the Vinculum-II family of USB Host/Slave controller products.

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• Vinculum-II Additional Resources

  Additional resources for the Vinculum-II are available from the FTDI website

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• V2-EVAL Datasheet

  Datasheet for FTDI V2 for the evaluation and prototyping platform for the Vinculum II

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• V2-EVAL Additional Resources

  Additional resources for the V2-EVAL evaluation and prototyping platform are available from the FTDI website

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• FTDI Application Note 203

  FTDI Application Note 203 for loading VNC2 IC's using V2PROG

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• FTDI Application Notes

  FTDI have a wide range of Application Notes covering every aspect of the design process from inspiration to implementation.

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The V2-EVAL is a complete evaluation and prototyping platform for VNC2. The board features a VNC2 daughterboard site for connecting 32,48 and 64-pin VNC2 daughterboards. The board features USB connectors, I/O headers providing access to major VNC2 interfaces as well as a generous breadboard style prototyping area. The V2-EVAL is supplied as a kit together with power supply, USB cable and USB gender changer.

The V2-Eval kit includes the following hardware items as standard:

• 1 x V2-Eval base board.
• 1 x 5V/1A mains adapter PSU - UK, US, European and Japanese versions available.
• 1 x USB A/B cable to connect to a host PC in programming / terminal emulation or debugging modes.
• 1 x USB gender changer for USB slave mode applications.

Board specification:

• Board supply voltage: 4.75V … 5.25V.
• Board supply current: 60mA (with no USB devices on USB1 or USB2 port).
• IO connectors power output: 5V/150mA, 3.3V/150mA.
• Base board dimensions: 167mm x 156mm x 1.5mm (L x W x H).
• VNC2 daughterboard dimensions: 37.9mm x 32.48mm x 10.0mm (L x W x H).

Versatile Range of Evaluation Kits

FTDI evaluation kits represent the quickest way to get USB under your belt, with many of the kits allowing you to get up and running in less than 30 minutes.

Volume pricing is available which is flexible enough to mean you could embed a module within your design for minimal time-to-market turnaround.