The xu1541 is the modern way to connect CBM IEC bus devices to todays USB equipped PCs and it is meant to replace the printer port solutions based on the so-called original x1541 cable. The xu1541 interface allows you e.g. to attach a VIC1541 disk drive to your desktop PC as depicted below. This allows for easy transfer of disk images from and to the old units and helps you preserve your ancient data.
xu1541 Interface: [Link]
The Arduino system offers an easy and open-source method for programming microcontrollers. Normally this means using a serial cable or USB cable attached directly to the microcontroller project. But what if your project is floating in a weather balloon, glued to the bottom of a swimming pool or baked into a loaf of bread? It would be great to upload code changes wirelessly, and even greater if you could do it from several kilometers away.
The following example demonstrates how to build a complete wireless solution for uploading code to a remote Arduino microcontroller using a couple of XBee radios, and a handy function for accomplishing wireless resets.
Arduino Wirelessly Programming System Based on XBee: [Link]
Remember when i told you a few words about a new revolutionary USB Module named VMUSIC2 ? The VMUSIC2 is a complete MP3 player module from FTDI, Inc. which makes it easy to integrate MP3 functionality in to your next microcontroller project. It has two interfaces: SPI or UART (serial)
This instructable will cover getting connected and controlling your VMUSIC2 module from hyperterminal. I recommend starting out this way because it will allow you to get familiar with the commands and get a feel for how it works before connecting it to your microcontroller. I will follow up with another instructable on controlling it from a microcontroller.
Getting started with VMUSIC2: [Link]
What is Ginger ? Ginger is yet another physical computing platform, which is similar to gainer (http://gainer.cc). The goal of project is to develop PC Platform
Ginger makes use of avr-usb (http://www.obdev.at/avrusb/) for the implementation of USB interface. Thanks to avr-usb, no external USB-serial bridge chip is required to interface host PC, and this makes ginger hardware simple. ATmega88 is chosen because it is available in AKIZUKI-denshi, where many electric parts are sold in bargain price.(We love the store).
In Macintosh platforms, you don’t need to install software drivers, as the device is recognized as /dev/cu.usbmodem*. In Windows, please use ginger.inf provided with source code in tarball.
Ginger - a physical computing platform: [Link]
This is the reconstruction of a “Fakespace GL-8001” device with fully compatible serial interface via USB. This device fits into a very small SubD adapter housing, consumes low power (max. 20 mA), supports USB standby, may support a USB remote wakeup feature later, is much faster in responsiveness than the GL-8001, and the electronic components are fairly cheap, lower than 5 €.
Data gloves with miniaturized USB controlling device: [Link]
