USB Development Tools for Embedded Devices?

engywook asks: "I am thinking about putting a USB interface onto a real-time (home-brew kernel) embedded device, (naturally) with the intent that it talk to another device. I am thinking that it would be very useful to be able to monitor the USB traffic between my device and the other device, and between that other device and (say) a PC that already knows how to talk to it. Looking around, it seems that this capability is available, but at prices in the US$10K and up realm, which is a lot more than I can afford. I am looking for pointers to tools that would accomplish this for much less money. Any ideas would be appreciated! Thanks!"

Comments

Cypress USB Kit

[codexus]

I bought a Cypress USB kit a few years ago, it's quite cool. Is that company still in business? Their website seems to be gone.

Another angle

[xenocide2]

I've seen a lot of USB snoop suggestions, which are a fine solution. But if you don't find that acceptable, I'd suggest looking into a Controller Area Network(CAN) module instead. You can find PC adaptors for this very cheaply, sometimes as little as 20 dollars. It's specifically designed for systems where you know exactly the kind of communications that will go on, and who's more important than who. It's used in a lot of automotive situations, though there's a growing group that doesn't think it's safe enough.

Re:PC tools...

[engywook]

Yes, I'd also found USB Snoop. I think that it also may be of use in the early stages.

You are right that there is a node=to-node relationship. In fact, I expect that my device and the other will be the only two connected at any given time. Unfortunately, I don't get to pick the interface. The other device already exists, at it is already USB.

BTW, the only reason it is USB instead of RS-232 is that "someone" convinced (nearly) all the PC hardware manufacturers that RS-232 was Evil and USB was Good. So, PCs no longer have RS-232 ports. So, the manufacturers of the device I have to talk to are discontinuing their RS-232 versions and coming out with USB versions. So, we have to talk USB, too, even though the RS-232 stuff was working just fine. sigh.