Database Users

Atrix usb host without media or lap dock

Not sure if usb host without a Motorola media hub / lapdock has been mentioned. I managed to get my Atrix working with full host by applying 5vdc to the usb power rail. Seems to work with any usb hub and keyboard / mouse combo long as 5vdc is present on the host side(phone microusb connector). This works in both webtop and normal android shell. Mouse control in Android just jumps from widget to widget but works normally in Webtop mode. Anyone seen a cursor apps for android?
Demo of it in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shvFmLRUNGA
*update* I got usb drive mounting to work!
It would seem to be very easy, Motorola seems to have blocked auto mounting without the media/lapdock (why must they be such c*&ts)
*MAKE SURE ITS FORMATED FAT32!* NTFS might be doable with a ntfs-3g module but I haven't tried yet.
Run file manager (root explorer ect...) browse to /dev/block and see what you have listed in there. I had sda and sda1 listed only when I inserted a usb drive so I knew it had to be the drive.
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Run "Terminal Emulator"
su
mkdir /sdcard-ext/usb (this can be any directory you want on ether the internal or microsd)
mount -t vfat /dev/block/sda1 /sdcard-ext/usb
To unmout the drive safely before removing it. just make sure all apps that might be using the usb drive are close or it'll fail to unmount
umount /sdcard-ext/usb
That's it; your drive will now show up in the file manager and webtop. I decided on the microsd so applications could see it without messing about.
Optional
Grab gscript off the market and then run the mount / unmount script from it insted of typing it out.

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but here is what I understand about this.
By applying a constant 5V DC through a powered USB hub, we can get USB host functionality by plugging devices into the hub?
Could you be more specific, if this is not the case? Also, what adapter are you using on the Atrix side, and what cables are connected to the hub? It seems like you are using a straight microUSB male to USB male, then connecting a female to male cable from the atrix to the hub. I can't tell for sure though.
Either way, it works, which is awesome!

That's it exactly, haha. It's really just that simple.

Your micro to female A adapter isn't an OTG-specific one?

can you post links of the stuff you bought so others may do this?

agentdr8 said:
Your micro to female A adapter isn't an OTG-specific one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is, I got it from dealextreme
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/micro-usb-on-the-go-host-otg-adapter-pair-50774
The rest is just a cheap dlink usb2.0 hub and a normal A to B usb cable. The +5vdc is need to activate the host port just like most newer arm soc's. This same trick works on the Nexus, Desire ect...

I would like details on where the wire needs to be soldered.

You don't need to solder any wires! That's the beauty of it!

rozzco said:
I would like details on where the wire needs to be soldered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do need to solder wires, you need to make a bridge from the DC power to the +5vdc usb host line. The little orange wire is my bridge, each usb hub will be a little different. If you don't bridge nothing will work, the Atrix doesn't supply any power to the devices.

You think this hub would work? I have around 9 dollars of DE credit, so I wanted to get the powered hub from there as well. There's no information on how much voltage the external power supplies though.
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/mini-usb-4-ports-hub-black-787

callen81 said:
You do need to solder wires, you need to make a bridge from the DC power to the +5vdc usb host line. The little orange wire is my bridge, each usb hub will be a little different. If you don't bridge nothing will work, the Atrix doesn't supply any power to the devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you bridge the power over without soldering?

rozzco said:
How do you bridge the power over without soldering?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did solder.

callen81 said:
I did solder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To pin 1 correct? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USB.svg

Correct. My hub uses a USB B input but one with USB mini or micro should work just the same. All that matters is +5vdc makes it up stream to.

bad hub?
Maybe I got a bum hub. I have soldered the +5 from the power adapter terminal like in the video, to the power line of the usb hub's single "out" port. so then i plug in my atrix to that same port and the keyboard to one of the 4 "in" ports and I get nothing. seemed simple enough so maybe my usb hub is not compatible. I have usb debugging off, i have usb mounting set to none. if you do happen to notice anything i f'ed up please let me know. ill go hub shopping maybe tomorrow i guess.

tbm48813 said:
Maybe I got a bum hub. I have soldered the +5 from the power adapter terminal like in the video, to the power line of the usb hub's single "out" port. so then i plug in my atrix to that same port and the keyboard to one of the 4 "in" ports and I get nothing. seemed simple enough so maybe my usb hub is not compatible. I have usb debugging off, i have usb mounting set to none. if you do happen to notice anything i f'ed up please let me know. ill go hub shopping maybe tomorrow i guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your also pluging the hub into a 5vdc source right?

yes, its a powered hub that is plugged in. it is a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817107609 and ive tested my soldering and work with a multimeter.

tbm48813 said:
yes, its a powered hub that is plugged in. it is a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817107609 and ive tested my soldering and work with a multimeter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using a usb micro OTG adaptor, or just spliced the wires. Cause I think it needs a few pins on the usb micro side to be crossed. I haven't read into it enough.
(UPDATE) Looks like I was right the ID pin on the microusb has to be grounded.

callen81 said:
Are you using a usb micro OTG adaptor, or just spliced the wires. Cause I think it needs a few pins on the usb micro side to be crossed. I haven't read into it enough.
(UPDATE) Looks like I was right the ID pin on the microusb has to be grounded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that must be it. im just using a gender changer with a regular micro cable not thinking the otg adapter was anything special. thank you. ill rewire.

http://blogs.forum.nokia.com/blog/kate-alholas-forum-nokia-blog/2008/01/21/usb-on-the-go This shows which pins to jump, nice pictures and breakdown to making a OTG cable.

USB OTG fun

didnt want to order a usb otg cable. so...
whatever it takes, right? hacked this together with crap laying around.
http://imgur.com/IqaW3
updated to 3.1
http://imgur.com/jRdtR
btw, this is on a wifi xoom.
Also, if anyone is curious, the red thing is a micro usb break out board from sparkfun. the other usb thing is a expansion slot from a old motherboard. just google it. SparkFun is down right now, but i think its this: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/pro...ducts_id=10031.
Part Originally ordered cause of this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/arch.../t-819551.html
edit:
thought you might be interested in this too....
http://imgur.com/Ptg3H
http://imgur.com/rUIQq
this is connected directly to a Nikon D60 DSLR.
wonder what other cool **** i can plug into this
this is NOT a rooted device. yet. i want to see what it can do stock.

Diff between micro-A USB and the more common micro-B cable is that pin 5 is grounded in the first, and open in the second.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus#Human_interface_devices_.28HIDs.29
Short pin 5 to pin 4 to get the u-A (OTG) type. Many u-USB cables don't have pin 5 wired at all, so this may not work.
Otherwise, just buy one for a few bucks.
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?mpart=ZX40-A-5S-75-STDAJ
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/genuine-nokia-ca-157-micro-usb-otg-to-usb-data-cable-14cm-length-51045
I'm really happy that HC3.1 now has improved I/O (USB host, MTP/PTP).

Can you break it down for me? What exactly does it do?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Any ideas where one could buy one of these cables from?
http://www.meritline.com/micro-usb-type-b-male-to-usb-a-female-cable-black---p-62877.aspx
Oh, I guess I shouldn't hijack this thread.
Could anyone with an answer reply here please?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=992415&page=2

>Any ideas where one could buy one of these cables from?
Read above.
>What exactly does it do?
http://google.com/search?q=usb+otg

Effing awesome!!! was looking for this all night, fetched a couple old mobo's but couldn't find a "single" female usb plug, maybe I'm lucky tonight..
Good to see this thread.

e.mote said:
>Any ideas where one could buy one of these cables from?
Read above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But those are the micro A cables... they will not fit into Xoom, will they?
By the way, will getting a female to female work for the OTG purpose?
So have the micro B male to normal A male plugged into female of female to female, so that the other side female is available for a usb device to plug into?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...d=10314&cs_id=1031401&p_id=362&seq=1&format=2
Seems simple to me, but will it work? I might have a lot better chance of finding a female to female here than a micro usb OTG.
In case I didn't explain what I was talking about clearly, I made this diagram.
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*Edit
I'm guessing the answer will be no... as the default cable is probably only designed to be used as host from the normal USB Side..
i.e. the 5th pin on the micro is floating?
But... Will it work if you had a switch built into the cable that toggles the state of the 5th wire between connected to 4th and floating?
So that you could use the same cable and switch between normal and OTG..
Sort of like this:
This would take a bit of trickery to get right, but then one would only need to carry one cable and a small female to female.
Ya, I suppose you could just buy one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1VCNAYJJHNGVY48CAHKY
(although I'm not sure if this one will actually work as it says it is an adapter and doesn't mention OTG at all...)
But I think it is too bulky at the Xoom side and and I would worry about bumping it and snapping something off inside the Xoom.
Any ideas?
I might be completely wrong in how I understand this whole thing, so feel free to tell me so.

>But those are the micro A cables... they will not fit into Xoom, will they?
Form factor difference between micro-A & micro-B:
If Xoom supports OTG, its plug receptacle should be the micro-AB variety, i.e. it should accept both A & B connectors.
If Xoom only accepts the beveled connector of micro-B type, then it's not in-spec with respect to OTG. That said, there are cables/adapters labeled as OTG and yet have the beveled connector of the micro-B type. You just have to pay attention to the actual connector. It's all a bit hit-or-miss, since USB host on mobile devices is still rare, and implementations are somewhat ad hoc despite specs availability.
>will getting a female to female work for the OTG purpose?
Can't use micro-B cable (per your pic) if Xoom is to be host device. Get correct micro-A cable for your needs.
The adapter you linked to is a simple size converter; it doesn't allow OTG capability. What you're talking about is more like these,
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/micro-usb-on-the-go-host-otg-adapter-pair-50774 (micro OTG)
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/mini-usb-on-the-go-host-otg-adapter-2-pack-50944 (mini OTG)
Note: These haven't been verified to work, unlike the previously-linked Nokia OTG cable, which has been confirmed as OTG capable. Also, as you said, these can damage the port with an inadvertent bump.
Different devices need different connectors. Flash keys & USB HDDs need the USB-A female connector (for the other end). Digicams & cellphones require mini-USB male or micro-B USB male.
Ideally, you'd get three different OTG cables, each with micro-A on one end and micro/mini/regular connector on the other end. Practically, you can't find micro-A to mini-B types (at least from a cursory search), and will have to settle for one cable + two adapters to fit all three USB sizes.
Lastly, note that the host device (Xoom) needs to provide sufficient power, if slave device isn't self-powered. In many cases with micro-USB, there isn't enough power, even if said slave device is a flash key or card reader. As above, it's hit-or-miss.
As obvious, confusion factor is high for all this micro/mini/A/B/male/female beeswax. I suspect this will be resolved once tablets become more common, and the simplest way to resolve it is to use full-sized USB ports. When you think about it, the micro- form factor is a holdover from the smartphone, as there's no rationale for it to be on tablets. Ironically, cheap shenzhen tabs for now are most likely to sport full USB ports.
In short, buy whatever cable you need for the Xoom. But for your next tablet (if you care about USB connectivity), buy one with full-sized USB ports. It will save a lot of headache.

Hmm, previous reply is a little confusing. To simplify,
There are 3 instances when you want to use Xoom in host mode:
1. Connect to USB flash key, (self-powered) USB HDD - Get one of these below
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/genuine-nokia-ca-157-micro-usb-otg-to-usb-data-cable-14cm-length-51045
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?mpart=ZX40-A-5S-75-STDAJ
-or-
search eBay for USB OTG http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=usb+otg
2. Connect to USB periph w/ mini-USB port: Get cable in #1, plus a mini-USB male to USB-A male adapter,
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/usb-male-to-mini-usb-male-adapter-32709
3. Connect to a USB periph w/ micro-USB port: Get cable in #1, plus a micro-B USB male to USB-A male adapter,
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/usb-to-micro-usb-adapter-58818
To provide external power-assist for un-powered devices, get a Y-cable,
http://www.amazon.com/Male-Power-Sync-Cable-Drives/dp/B002ZUV9IK/

The Xoom only takes Micro USB B, as far as I know.
You can see so by looking at the shape of the port:
I think if you got a Micro B to female normal A you wouldn't need all those other cables, as they would already come with the normal A male to what ever male they required and the host connection would be the right way.
Do I have that right?
Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.

>I think if you got a Micro B to female normal A you wouldn't need all those other cables, as they would already come with the normal A male
You can't use a normal micro-B cable, as it doesn't have OTG (pin 5 not grounded). The USB-A connector at the other end is irrelevant.
Given the Xoom can't take a micro-A connector, you'd have to find an OTG cable that uses the micro-B shell. I'd avoid using an adapter for reasons already mentioned. Since this has come up in this forum before, I'm sure solutions have already been found.
Via http://www.google.com/search?q=xoom+usb+otg+cable+site:xda-developers.com
and via http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=11997885
comes the apparent solution,
http://cgi.ebay.com/Micro-USB-Host-Cable-Nokia-N810-OTG-go-N-810-/250817547531
looks like the Nokia N810 OTG cable has the beveled micro-B connector. Credit goes to the OPs.

Awesome, thanks.
I bought that one from ebay that you suggested. It looks like the right one, in the picture it has a micro B male.
And they will even ship it here, for free. I'm amazed.
Will post results here. Thanks so much for your help.

Suggest also this cable if you're planning to hook up USB HDDs or digicams w/ mini-USB port. The Y-cable allows external power assist.
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-2-0-Mini-5-Pin-Male-Data-Power-PC-HDD-Y-Cable-/130498137552

I'm confused.....
Will this fork for connecting a keyboard with my xoom when I get the update?
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/genuine-nokia-ca-157-micro-usb-otg-to-usb-data-cable-14cm-length-51045
And if not please please link me to one, as I have been looking forever but keep finding ****.
The eBay link you sent i can't see because I'm on my xoom and it just loads mobile.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App

Work... not fork
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App

RadDudeTommy said:
I'm confused.....
Will this fork for connecting a keyboard with my xoom when I get the update?
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/genuine-nokia-ca-157-micro-usb-otg-to-usb-data-cable-14cm-length-51045
And if not please please link me to one, as I have been looking forever but keep finding ****.
The eBay link you sent i can't see because I'm on my xoom and it just loads mobile.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No that won't work because that has a Micro A male and the Xoom only takes Micro B.
The ebay one is the one that works:
To view non-mobile, type in about:debug in the address bar and hit enter, it will look like nothing happened, then go to menu>settings>debug>UAString and change it from Android to Desktop. Then reopen the ebay link. It will reset to mobile every FC or when you restart your Xoom. But each time after you just need to type about:debug, it will remember the UAString setting.
But this is also a link to the same type of cable:
Meritline
Although they seem to be out of stock at the moment.
Hope this helps.

Tanks a lot
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App

I too connected my camera to the Xoom and it was recognized right away. I just wish it transferred the files automatically instead of manually. Anyway, I posted this link in another thread but in case it was missed, this is the Ebay seller I got my OTG cable from and it works for me:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Micro-USB-Host-...=260760886893&ps=63&clkid=9130826876118408283

e.mote said:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/genuine-nokia-ca-157-micro-usb-otg-to-usb-data-cable-14cm-length-51045
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for pointing to this cable! So now I ordered 2 even here in Poland we dont have much of "OTG" "Y" etc available ... at least they are hard to find.
Now I'm thinking on powering it.
I know we can use Y cable and powered usb hub.
But I'd like to have mobile solution.
I was thinking to pay someone (I dont have any tools and knowledge) to modify the nokia cable.
What do you think of buying a battery pack, that can output 5V / 500mA (I thing this is usb standard?) and connect it somehow directly to the nokia cable?
XOOM does not power the usb cable/ right? to there are 2 wires that should supply power, but they dont? What if we could just plug the power into them?
This is just an idea and I dont even know which wires to plug into
If anyone of You know what I'm talking about please comment on this... Thanks!

niematunikogo said:
Thanks for pointing to this cable!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That one won't fit into the Xoom.
You are going to have to try file the Micro A to fit into the Micro B port, as one of the other members of the forum has done, or get another cable.
Your cable end:
Micro USB A
The Xoom Micro B Port:
The difference between the 2:
Sorry man

How to make your own Motorola "Factory Cable"

Over in this post Cellzealot opined that I might be willing to share the pinout of the "factory cable" clone that I worked up. I absolutely am, but needed to find several hours of free time to do the writeup, images, etc.
The other night I set aside the time and did the writeup. If you would like to make your own cable, you can read the writeup here.
To oversimplify it, here is the map:
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The map is simple enough. The main problem (as detailed in the writeup I linked to above) is that since pin 4 is normally unused in a Mini/Micro B connector, there is no wire connected to it (to tie to), and in the case of the Mini B that I surgically dissected, the actual pin for pin 4 was nipped off at the back of the connector as well.
This doesn't preclude you from making a cable as you can always order brand new connectors and solder them up any way you like.
I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have in this topic.

great guide
Thanks for linking this to us! This would be tremendously useful to many on this forum. My question is, since the docks Motorola sells basically do the same thing, could the process be applied like callen81 did to make USB host functionality? It seems like the same process is used, albeit simpler.

Or just buy a USB 3.0 cable!

ya i picked up like three for like 1.50 each. monoprice.com has alot of cables for super cheap, good quality too
edit, i also got the 10 footers so i dont have to be bounded to the 4 footer that comes with it

Moved to proper forum.

Guys, a factory cable is not like the micro USB cables you buy, nor the standard "OTG" micro usb cables/adapters to become USB host.
Notice that PIN4 is tied to POWER, the +5V on PIN1, not to ground on PIN5 as in OTG cables (or left floating like on most mini/micro cables.)
This cable is essentially for being able to nvflash the phone, although perhaps it has other uses I am unaware of.

eval- said:
Guys, a factory cable is not like the micro USB cables you buy, nor the standard "OTG" micro usb cables/adapters to become USB host.
Notice that PIN4 is tied to POWER, the +5V on PIN1, not to ground on PIN5 as in OTG cables (or left floating like on most mini/micro cables.)
This cable is essentially for being able to nvflash the phone, although perhaps it has other uses I am unaware of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can also be used to charge the phone while flashing SBF.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

eval- said:
Guys, a factory cable is not like the micro USB cables you buy, nor the standard "OTG" micro usb cables/adapters to become USB host.
Notice that PIN4 is tied to POWER, the +5V on PIN1, not to ground on PIN5 as in OTG cables (or left floating like on most mini/micro cables.)
This cable is essentially for being able to nvflash the phone, although perhaps it has other uses I am unaware of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
isn't it also possible to use a usb keyboard with this method given that you have a usb powering hub in the middle?

The most useful thing to do at this point would be linking places that sell easily modified cables / adapters. As he said 99% of cables you find will not have the 5th wire connected or soldered on to the connector. Even if I had a cable or source of cables that had an easily solderable 5th pin this cable would be decently cheap to make. Most of the space cables I've hacked apart just have 4 solder points and a 'dummy' pin #4 (what, to look cool?) sigh.

bearsfan172 said:
It can also be used to charge the phone while flashing SBF.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't say for the Atrix, but for every other phone I've used the cable on, while it will power the phone while flashing, it will not charge the phone while flashing.

eval- said:
Guys, a factory cable is not like the micro USB cables you buy, nor the standard "OTG" micro usb cables/adapters to become USB host.
Notice that PIN4 is tied to POWER, the +5V on PIN1, not to ground on PIN5 as in OTG cables (or left floating like on most mini/micro cables.)
They do indeed have many uses
This cable is essentially for being able to nvflash the phone, although perhaps it has other uses I am unaware of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do indeed have many other uses besides the nvflash interface which is strictly for Tegra based devices. They not only power the device without battery, but autoload the Motorola networking driver and other interfaces for diagnostic mode NV access with both Motorola and Qualcomm service ware as well as flash tools like RSD Lite.
The device is always initialized properly and identified by the applications for various operations.
Similar powered cables have been used for all P2K generation Motorola devices for many years in various configurations. The real factory cables are made with a Mini USB B end and come with an adapter so they are compatible across a much wider range of older devices.
We hope very much that getting this info out will generate a lot of outflow for the many ways to apply the unique properties of these cables for newer devices.

In another topic Kholk had an idea that does away with the "missing pin 4 on the micro" problem. You can sacrifice a Motorola Mini-to-Micro USB adapter (SKN6252) which is wired for all 5 pins. This makes it a heck of a lot easier for the average Joe to make one and avoid the expense of buying a custom-made cable.
For most folks that would try this, that tip is all they need to proceed. If you want more detail, I did a step by step here.
If you make one up, post up and let me know how it went.
Enjoy!

MotoCache1 said:
In another topic Kholk had an idea that does away with the "missing pin 4 on the micro" problem. You can sacrifice a Motorola Mini-to-Micro USB adapter (SKN6252) which is wired for all 5 pins. This makes it a heck of a lot easier for the average Joe to make one and avoid the expense of buying a custom-made cable.
For most folks that would try this, that tip is all they need to proceed. If you want more detail, I did a step by step here.
If you make one up, post up and let me know how it went.
Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm working on making my own, just to see if it'll work. I think it's going to turn out more frankenstein-y than yours, however.

PixoNova said:
I'm working on making my own, just to see if it'll work. I think it's going to turn out more frankenstein-y than yours, however.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. I'd love to see it when you're done (if you wouldn't mind posting a pic). As long as you get the pinout right, it will work. Your attempt can't possibly be worse than my initial prototype was. If you have an SKN6252 lying around, you could actually make a pretty respectable looking cable.

Where can you buy one of these if your not good at soldering??

Make a friend who is good at soldering.

Does anyone know why Moto is allowed to call their connector USB when they don't comply to USB.ORG's standards and do things their own way?

cellzealot said:
They do indeed have many other uses besides the nvflash interface which is strictly for Tegra based devices. They not only power the device without battery, but autoload the Motorola networking driver and other interfaces for diagnostic mode NV access with both Motorola and Qualcomm service ware as well as flash tools like RSD Lite.
The device is always initialized properly and identified by the applications for various operations.
Similar powered cables have been used for all P2K generation Motorola devices for many years in various configurations. The real factory cables are made with a Mini USB B end and come with an adapter so they are compatible across a much wider range of older devices.
We hope very much that getting this info out will generate a lot of outflow for the many ways to apply the unique properties of these cables for newer devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Moto has been using nonstandard USB cables since they came out, many of which were dumb devices. The reasoning that they needed to be different so that they can do X Y or Z is bull. They want to lock you into Moto cables. No one has ever shown a logical reason for being different. You can flash phones with regular USB cables so the logic for a different format holds no validity.

Does this mean we could make one of these cables and have the phone "think" its either docked in the car or in the HD dock? I assume for the HD dock you might need added power but why cant I make a USB cable, plug it into my phone and hook up a USB hub to it like the dock?
not to hi-jack but it would be interesting to see if anyone has made their own docks, somehow the 3.5mm audio is integrated into the dock and is played through the usb cable...

Using the factory cable, Not insert the battery, display SVF: 105:1:2
Failed to boot 0x1000, infinite reboot

KF OTG Discussion

So I have been playing around with various USB game controllers as well as various storage devices and everything has worked so far (except BT, its detected but thats it). Hashcode has put a low priority on OTG in the kernal dev queue so I would like to get a discussion going about possible hardware solutions to over come the current 3.3v limitation of the USB port when running as a host (which is why devices dont work directly, only through a hub). Someone already suggested a current pump DC-DC in the kernal thread so my current focus something like this: http://www.circuitsathome.com/dc-dc/33v-to-5v-dc-dc-converter
for some motivation to this end, here is my USB NES controller hooked via OTG:

Controller use brought to you by HaiKaiDo Inc. lol

usb otg will work nice if we can up the voltage
usb otg will work nice if we can up the voltage from 3.7 to 5 volt

southbird already did a proof of concept with a voltage regulator from pololu
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=25943787#post25943787

barrmulio said:
southbird already did a proof of concept with a voltage regulator from pololu
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=25943787#post25943787
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep saw that. My aim here is to go beyond that and come up with a real design
Sent from my Xperia X10 using xda premium

Can the voltage regulator be wired into the OTG cable? If so I am willing to try this but I need help with the wiring. I am searching now for some type of soapbox enclosure to house the voltage regulator. Any suggestions?

It would serve as the otg cable. The vreg will sit on the power rail between the kf and the normal usb connector. Ultimately, i want to lay out a smd board with the micro usb and regulator that goes in some little enclosure.

Basically what I am thinking of doing is putting the regulator inbetween the micro usb and female usb. It will look like other otg cables but the enclosure with the female usb will be larger.
I am assuming that the red(power) from micro usb is connected to the vout and the red(power) from female usb is connected to vin on the regulator. Do both sides of the ground need to be connected to the regulator or just to each other?

Can this work with GPS receiver?
sent from the greezals fire.

meturne2 said:
Basically what I am thinking of doing is putting the regulator inbetween the micro usb and female usb. It will look like other otg cables but the enclosure with the female usb will be larger.
I am assuming that the red(power) from micro usb is connected to the vout and the red(power) from female usb is connected to vin on the regulator. Do both sides of the ground need to be connected to the regulator or just to each other?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could but IMHO, it would be simpler and cheaper to integrate everything as one device. The OTG cable is nothing special, just a micro USB B to regular USB A. The power needs to run from the micro in the KF to the vReg Vin, vReg Vout to the USB A connector, the ground is connected to all three.
greezal said:
Can this work with GPS receiver?
sent from the greezals fire.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No clue. I'm sure a google search would yield some answers

OK I'll look it up now and see if I can get the answer.
sent from the greezals fire.

greezal said:
OK I'll look it up now and see if I can get the answer.
sent from the greezals fire.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just looked it up and not much on the subject have not got a straight answer. Would be great though.
sent from the greezals fire.

Ok, the ones I ordered are in. Size is NICE, it should be really easy to integrate this into existing USB connector enclosures. This is the 120 mA version, the 600 mA version is about twice the size
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altitude909 said:
Ok, the ones I ordered are in. Size is NICE, it should be really easy to integrate this into existing USB connector enclosures. This is the 120 mA version, the 600 mA version is about twice the size
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
very nice - i ordered the pololu one and still waiting for it to arrive
my thoughts were similar; integrate the regulator into the usb female header area of the otg, or somewhere mid-cable...but I'm having a hard time finding an elegant solution to either re-enclosing the plastic end of the female header or enclosing it mid cable
i just back another otg cable today, i'll be cutting it apart to see if there's enough space by the usb a

success! kinda.. For super low current devices (i.e. NES game controller) it is working fine, anything larger (flash memory) its drawing too much current causing the voltage to sag below 2.5V which is not enough to power the regulator. Will try the LTC3426 one tomorrow since that should be able to operate at a lower input voltage

altitude909 said:
success! kinda.. For super low current devices (i.e. NES game controller) it is working fine, anything larger (flash memory) its drawing too much current causing the voltage to sag below 2.5V which is not enough to power the regulator. Will try the LTC3426 one tomorrow since that should be able to operate at a lower input voltage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just to make sure I got your wiring right
from micro usb b
- red to vReg Vin
- pin 4 to ground
- pin 5 to ground
from usb a
- red to vReg Vout
- black/pin 4 to ground
?
my stupid otg cable doesn't have standard colors (it's green, blue, yellow, red, yellow&red), so other than vcc i'm not sure what's what (edit: now i think blue is gnd and yellow/red is sense, yellow is d-, green is d+).
I was also expecting the otg short to be on the micro side and not on the usb a side, but it wasn't
my idea is to have the regulator sit inside the hollowed out area of the female header seen on the bottom left

Just take a meter and see what is connected to what. It does not matter where pin 4 and 5 are shorted.
Unfortunately, it looks like without some sort of magic, the port on the kf cannot supply enough current to drive these regulators. Im observing the same thing as southbird did, the devices show up but do not work. Measuring the voltages at the power pins with a flash drive connected i get 2.4v at the vreg input and 4.5 at the output which means that there is too much load. Time to start looking for battery powered usb hubs

this battery charger or this usb charger both work well for me with a y usb cable...i've seen some other posts with folks that just wired right into the charger, e.g. here

ok, the regulator arrived today and i played around with it
the otg cable was too frail for my poor soldering skills to do properly, so i ended up cutting up a usb extension cable to about 1' in length and soldering it halfway...i'll enclosure in heat shrink later
my results were pretty much the same as southbird and altitude909
My 8Gb centon usb however mounts perfectly *every* time, however my 4Gb, 2Gb or 512Mb sticks will not mount. When I try the elago w/ a 32Gb micro it conks out mounting as a whole, requiring a reboot of the KF to remount the 8Gb stick (probably some kernel protection)

so you need a regulator to get flash drives to work? that explains why it never worked for me lol

[Q] USB Keyboard not detected (micro USB)

Hi,
I had a new case and keyboard arrive for my nexus today but the keyboard doesn't seem to be detecting at all. I've been browsing all evening trying to find a fix but to no avail so far...
These are the specifics;
Nexus 7 wifi 32gb stock rom, JB 4.2.1
This exact MINI USB Keyboard (Can't identify manufacturer as the keyboard is built in to the case)
Mini usb - micro usb connector
I have verified the usb connector is working fine as I am able to plug in a mini usb charger to the nexus through it and it charges fine.
When I plug in the keyboard it doesn't work or seem to be detected in any way.
Where am I going wrong?
I can't try a USB OTG cable as I am not connecting a full size USB peripheral. I installed usb host diagnostics and ran it with the keyboard connected but I'm not sure how to interpret the results which are as follows;
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Additional info;
I added a 51-android.rules file as per the process in this thread, and included ALL manufacturers and ID codes but still no fix

You *do* need an OTG cable. It has two pins (4 and 5) connected. That's what tells the tablet that it's in host mode. If you want to adapt yours, here's the procedure (obviously, use at your own risk!):
http://forums.androidcentral.com/go...iy-making-your-own-otg-cable-image-heavy.html

tjupille is correct, a normal micro USB cable will only have 4 pins connected, the 5th pin needs to be grounded on the tablet side of the cable. If you can find/make a such a cable and if it's a standard USB HID keyboard then it should work out of the box on a stock N7 without the need for any special configuration.

I have also seen where some non-stock ROMs lose the OTG support. This wouldn't be your case as you are running what looks to be a stock ROM. Now then, I have had a few OTG cables go bad. Some of them are just made cheaply.

Thanks all, I understand the otg cable setup much better now. I figured that with a standard connection android should see the device as an input device and it would just work. Have a cable on order now. I have the kit to mod my existing adapter but for such a small amount of money I'd rather not gamble frying my nexus. Look forward to when it arrives as I keep going to use the hard keys!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

ixampu OCEANSIDE-3
dealextreme has some otg cables, you can purchase it.

A # of eBay stores carry these Micro USB Host Mode OTG Cable, originally designed for the Samsung Galaxry devices - I got one as a bundle along with the swivel case & screen protector, etc. Inexpensive & it works - on 4.1.2 and on 4.2.1 depending on the rom & kernel.
One of them selling a pair for under $5, free shipping and they are based in the LAX area of CA, mine arrived in less than a week - vendor has been around for years and sourced them mostly from oversea. The short piece of connecting cable is a bit longer than picture but still fit flat & tight against the bottom/side of the N7 with the case, so it won't be too bad flying 6 or 10+ hours with my own huge library collection of DVD's on a stick. Not a vendor / product endorsement & plenty of sources to get yours, plus Amazon ...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Micro-US...338153?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item56517d1069

Mine was quite difficult to find as it's a micro one end and mini the other, but I've located one and it's ordered. Thanks for the links guys. I'm in the uk, it seems to be particularly difficult to find the one I need here for some reason!
Just my $0.02 on the whole OTG thing though.... why can't it be that simple to just connect a usb device and for it to work like things used to?? Why the need for an adapter? Surely these keyboard cases should all be OTG wired for maximum compatibility as a keyboard is never going to be a host device!
Ho hum...

Then if i understand good i need otg cable to be able to connect my keyboard ! The problem is my keyboard is already micro usb and i just find
OTG micro usb to usb 2.0 .
How to do then ?

Well I'm glad I found this thread after a couple of hours of fruitless searching (& mostly getting stuff about flash drives).
I tried to connect a case logic mini usb keyboard which I acquired for the princely sum of ten bucks, by using the cable that shipped with the Nexus and a usb gender changer, but the tablet did not recognize the device. I've had no trouble hooking the tablet up to a pc for chrome debugging, file xfers etc, and I tested the mini kb on a couple of pcs.
I thought it was something like this OTG adaptor thing, but couldn't figure out what was special about it vs. bog-standard usb plugs. I ordered one along with a powered usb hub, in case that was the/another issue, and look forward to getting this thing to work.
Thanks!
Edit: Sweet! The OTG adaptor worked like a charm, and with a powered hub I can run a wireless mini-mouse too.

Hi guys, I know this thread is quite old, but I have very, very important problem:
I've recently bought the same built-in to case keyboard with two wires: micro and mini.
The problem is that the micro one connected to the Nook Tablet or HTC Sensation does not work (although in case of HTC Sensation it is detected!).
When I connect the same keyboard to my sister's no-name tablet (something-made-in-China) via miniUSB it works like a charm! With no adapters, nothing!
The question is: should I try to find OTG adapter (and if yes, then which one? miniUSB to microUSB, or rather microUSB to microUSB?) ?
Thanks in advance for all your replies...

Waszker said:
Hi guys, I know this thread is quite old, but I have very, very important problem:
I've recently bought the same built-in to case keyboard with two wires: micro and mini.
The problem is that the micro one connected to the Nook Tablet or HTC Sensation does not work (although in case of HTC Sensation it is detected!).
When I connect the same keyboard to my sister's no-name tablet (something-made-in-China) via miniUSB it works like a charm! With no adapters, nothing!
The question is: should I try to find OTG adapter (and if yes, then which one? miniUSB to microUSB, or rather microUSB to microUSB?) ?
Thanks in advance for all your replies...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OTG for the nexus 7 is a bit different in terms of hardware requirements. Pins 4 and 5 on the micro USB side have to be shorted together for it to work. You will likely need an OTG cable that says in the description that it is compatible with the Nexus 7. Amazon and eBay are decent places to go.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

Hey, I bought the same keyboard, foolishly.
Is buying another cable the only way to get to work?