How to build any USB gadget

It was sunny outside.

About two years ago.

Norway isn’t a very sunny country, so when the sun is shining I need to take advantage of that.

So I made myself a little wall of cardboard to protect my laptop screen from the sunlight. This way, I could sit in the sun while working.

I was working on the firmware for an HDMI touch screen.

The USB protocol was new to me, so I spent a lot of time reading about it…

…then testing out what I read, using the open source library LUFA.

And the result was the Manga Screen (www.thing-printer.com/product/manga-screen/)

If you want to build your own custom USB gadget, here are the steps you need to take. I’ve added links for more info on each step:

1. Learn basic electronics and start building some circuits:
https://www.build-electronic-circuits.com/electronics-for-beginners/

2. Learn to use a microcontroller:
https://www.build-electronic-circuits.com/what-is-a-microcontroller/

3. Learn how the USB protocol works
http://amzn.to/1eUQkD0

4. Learn to use the LUFA library:
http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/LUFA.php

Keep on Soldering!
Oyvind

PS! My eBook “Getting Started With Electronics” will teach you to build electronics from scratch. A good way to start if you found this email a bit too advanced:
https://www.build-electronic-circuits.com/products/ebook-2nd-edition