USB Mass Storage: Designing and Programming Devices and Embedded Hosts [Paperback]

Jan Axelson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2006

This developer’s guide for designers and programmers of mass-storage devices that use the Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface provides developers with information on how to choose storage media, interface the media to a microcontroller or other CPU, and write device firmware to access the media and perform USB communications. Comparisons of popular storage-media options to help users choose a media type for a project are included, and the types described cover hard drives and flash-memory cards such as the MultiMediaCard (MMC), Secure Digital (SD) card, and CompactFlash card. Helpful tips on developing an embedded host that can access USB mass-storage devices are also covered.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Jan Axelson knows better than almost anybody else how to write clearly and how to explain complex technical issues."  —EDN

"If a design employs a USB mass-storage device connection, you will need this book. I recommend it highly."  —ECN magazine

About the Author

Jan Axelson writes about computer programming and electronic technology. Jan's books include USB Embedded Hosts, USB Complete, Serial Port Complete, and USB Mass Storage. Jan's articles have appeared in Circuit Cellar, EDN, Embedded Systems Programming, and Nuts & Volts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 287 pages
• Publisher: Lakeview Research (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931448043
• ISBN-13: 978-1931448048
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,687 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > Computers & Technology > Databases > Database Design
  • #14 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Microprocessors & System Design > Microprocessor Design
  • #100 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Design & Architecture

More About the Author

Jan Axelson is the author of books about computers and electronic technology, including USB Complete, USB Embedded Hosts, Serial Port Complete, USB Mass Storage, and Embedded Ethernet and Internet Complete. Jan's articles have appeared in Embedded Systems Programming, EDN, Circuit Cellar, Nuts & Volts, and other publications. Bill Machrone of PC Magazine has described Jan's writing as 'a model of clarity and conciseness.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hardware and Software in One Book, August 25, 2006

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: USB Mass Storage: Designing and Programming Devices and Embedded Hosts (Paperback)

This is a very well done book on a very topical subject. USB mass storage has gotten so inexpensive that its use in dedicated embedded systems has become almost a given. And here is one book that talks about all aspects of putting such a system together.

The book basically covers three subjects:

First there is a general discussion of mass storage in general. This includes hard drives which may be the most economical for your application, and it includes various types of flash memory devices.

Second the book covers the hardware interface down to the level of giving a sample circuit.

Finally there is a description of the software that will be needed to get the devices to operate. This goes from the simple structure of the commands down to the definition of file systems.

In short, here is a complete guide to USB Mass Storage in one, fairly small, book. This is all the engineer/programmer needs. Ms. Axelson has written a number of books on USB in general and clearly knows whereof she speaks.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excelent introduction this unique topic, August 20, 2006

By 

Richard L. Grier "dick_grier" (Lakewood, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: USB Mass Storage: Designing and Programming Devices and Embedded Hosts (Paperback)

This book covers two areas of computer technology: creating USB based mass storage systems, using either rotating (disk) media or flash storage. It offers guidance and examples for each of these with a focus on the special requirements and limits of embedded hosts that access USB storage devices.

A design engineer who's task it is to design a USB based memory subsytem has options. He or she can contact various device manufacturers, request data sheets, and demo or development boards. This step will be needed. Next is to prototype several such devices, to create software drivers, and to debug the hardware and software. One could "google" for sources, and start there, or... One could purchase Jan's book and get a head start with both hardware selection AND with software driver development.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of info, great place to start, July 25, 2007

By 

saywah "Sam" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: USB Mass Storage: Designing and Programming Devices and Embedded Hosts (Paperback)

This book is well written, offers plenty of details and provides good direction for developing mass storage related devices. It exposes the magnitude of information one must learn to make a working product and is a great first start. The accompanying website www.lvr.com is also very helpful.

This book is an excellent attempt at addressing a technically complex subject. As long as you don't expect the book to hand you a complete solution, you won't be disappointed. The material can only be thoroughly understood by applying it. Many of the examples can be implemented with the development board from Microchip, which is very affordable.