Low cost USB / Ethernet?

I am starting a new high-volume (10K umits per day) low cost/performance
(a 10 cent 4-bit microcontroller will do the job) project, but this one
has a twist; I have a requirement to make a USB version and a 10BaseT
or 100BaseT Ethernet version.  Just in case anyone has already done the
research, does anyone here have a favorite chip for low-cost USB?
For low-cost Ethernet?  I have lots of board space and a capable
power supply, and my actual data rate is well under 100 Bytes/second.

I may end up doing the protocol in software with a slightly more
powerful uC if I don't like the prices for the interface chips. 



-- 
Guy Macon, Electronics Engineer & Project Manager. http://www.guymacon.com/ 

"Guy Macon" <http://www.guymacon.com> wrote in message
news:GuKdnbmbR_vvFBPd4p2dnA@speakeasy.net...
>
> I am starting a new high-volume (10K umits per day) low cost/performance
> (a 10 cent 4-bit microcontroller will do the job) project, but this one
> has a twist; I have a requirement to make a USB version and a 10BaseT
> or 100BaseT Ethernet version.  Just in case anyone has already done the
> research, does anyone here have a favorite chip for low-cost USB?
> For low-cost Ethernet?  I have lots of board space and a capable
> power supply, and my actual data rate is well under 100 Bytes/second.
>
> I may end up doing the protocol in software with a slightly more
> powerful uC if I don't like the prices for the interface chips.
>
>
>
> -- 
> Guy Macon, Electronics Engineer & Project Manager.
http://www.guymacon.com/
>

I know for software implemented USB device on AVR 90S2313 microcontroller -
of course
with some limits, but works and can surely fulfill your 100Bytes/sec data
rate...look
at www.avrfreaks.com and search for IGORPLUG-USB.

- Dejan

Guy Macon wrote:
> I am starting a new high-volume (10K umits per day) low cost/performance
> (a 10 cent 4-bit microcontroller will do the job) project, but this one
> has a twist; I have a requirement to make a USB version and a 10BaseT
> or 100BaseT Ethernet version.  Just in case anyone has already done the
> research, does anyone here have a favorite chip for low-cost USB?
> For low-cost Ethernet?  I have lots of board space and a capable
> power supply, and my actual data rate is well under 100 Bytes/second.
> 
> I may end up doing the protocol in software with a slightly more
> powerful uC if I don't like the prices for the interface chips. 

The critical question is: are you going to use the TCP/IP
protocol stack for your Ethernet or is it sufficient to
transfer raw Ethernet frames only.

The TCP/IP protocol stack will eat 40 to 100 kilobytes of
code and at least some 10 kilobytes of data space on a
16 or 32 bit controller.

I strongly suspect that you'll not find any Ethernet interface
which is even near the 10 cent controller in price. The
100BASE-TX makes the interface more complicated and power-
hungry, use 10BASE-T only, if possible.

In my system, the twin-speed Ethernet (LAN91C111) eats many
times as much power than the ARM7TDMI processor and memories.

To do the raw Ethernet protocol in software, IMHO, you are
going into the realm of fast DSP's.

HTH

Tauno Voipio
tauno voipio @ iki fi

For 3,65 Mu/year, I think you can get a chip designed :-)
Key is what other functions you need...
There is an AVR app note at www.avrfreaks.net on how to do low cost USB
The ATmega48 might be your best choice here.
(Fairly low cost and runs at 24 MHz)
-- 
Best Regards,
Ulf Samuelsson   ulf@a-t-m-e-l.com
This is a personal view which may or may not be
share by my Employer Atmel Nordic AB


"Guy Macon" <http://www.guymacon.com> skrev i meddelandet
news:GuKdnbmbR_vvFBPd4p2dnA@speakeasy.net...
>
> I am starting a new high-volume (10K umits per day) low cost/performance
> (a 10 cent 4-bit microcontroller will do the job) project, but this one
> has a twist; I have a requirement to make a USB version and a 10BaseT
> or 100BaseT Ethernet version.  Just in case anyone has already done the
> research, does anyone here have a favorite chip for low-cost USB?
> For low-cost Ethernet?  I have lots of board space and a capable
> power supply, and my actual data rate is well under 100 Bytes/second.
>
> I may end up doing the protocol in software with a slightly more
> powerful uC if I don't like the prices for the interface chips.
>
>
>
> -- 
> Guy Macon, Electronics Engineer & Project Manager.
http://www.guymacon.com/
>