DEV-09947 USB Host Shield

Other Miscellaneous
1

I’m trying to use the Sparkfun USB Host Shield ( DEV-09947 ) with the USB Host Shield library 2.0 and an Arduino Uno. The sketch USB_desc.ino from the library examples results in the error ‘OSC did not start’. Following this link from the product description page…

http://hardwarefun.com/tutorials/using- … ment-34681

…the suggestion is that the shield needs to be powered separately.

Is this the solution and why is this? How do I go about it without damaging the Uno? Can you power the Uno with a PC at the same time?

Any help would be appreciated.

…cheers

2

You should be able to power the Arduino and shield from just a computer, but if the USB device you’re plugging into the shield needs additional power, connecting a 9 volt adapter to the barrel jack should provide more current than the Arduino will alone. Remember that the shield was developed at a time when USB devices didn’t ever ask for more than 500mA.

For the ‘OSC did not start’ message, I get that too if I don’t have the power switch on the shield turned on. Make sure that’s on and the red LED next to it is on. Additionally, a good sketch for testing is the USBHIDBootKbdAndMouse sketch that comes with the library. You do need to have your keyboard or mouse plugged in before running the sketch though as the shield can’t detect a hotplug event.

3

Thank you for the prompt reply. The existence of a switch was a revelation.

My aim is to use a PS4 controller. Should I be able to drive a Bluetooth dongle from the host shield without augmenting the power?

If I need to augment the power, can I use both the PC’s USB to the Arduino and the barrel jack with 9v?

… cheers, hugh

4

A Bluetooth dongle isn’t going to use much current so you should be fine with that. I don’t see a PS4 controller using much current either.

It is safe to apply power via USB and the barrel jack at the same time. The Arduino has a circuit that selects the best power source for itself and will pick the barrel jack over USB when the voltage is higher on the barrel jack. The shield will get it’s power from the barrel jack when power is applied there.

5

Thank you for all your help. All is working as it should. The PS4 is talking very nicely via BT to the Arduino.

… cheers, hugh