[linux-usb] Re: USB Device Driver Development Resources

[Greg KH]

On Fri, Mar 03, 2000 at 04:08:39PM -0500, Brad Parker wrote:
>
> Gabriel Ricard wrote:
> ...
> >I'm looking to write a device driver for my Keyspan
> >USB -> Mac Serial adapter so I can attempt to use my
> >DeLorme GPS device under Linux (another step to aid me
> >in eliminating my need for MacOS). I think I posted to
> >this mailing list a while back asking for info, I'm
> >not sure.
>
> I want to do the same.  I contacted Keyspan and they said "huh -
> interesting" and I've heard nothing since.  That was 2-3 weeks ago.
>
> The 2 port keyspan fob I have (USA28X) uses the Anchor EXUSB chip.
> This means it needs code downloaded to it.  My hope was that Keyspan
> would release a binary image (srecs) of their code load and we could
> include it in the Linux driver.  This assumes they use a standard USB
> interface to the serial ports...

There is no "standard" way to interface USB to serial. Every vendor does
it differently. You can thank Microsoft for that big problem (it's a
long story, ask me if you're curious.)

But there is a person working on a Linux driver for this device without
the help of Keyspan. His name is Brian Warner, and hopefully there will
be some code for you to play with soon (right Brian? :)

He is writing his own AnchorChip code for the device and the driver will
download it to the converter, eliminating the need to reverse engineer
Keyspan's vendor specific protocol. A very cool hack.

greg k-h
greg at kroah.com

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