I bought a cheap unpowered Anker USB hub recently and initial tests with three Circuit Playground Expresses/Bluefruits are not promising. I seem to only get one serial console and one CIRCUITPY drive showing up. A pair of cheap USB power meters tell me that the voltage and current (110mA, got some NeoPixels on) are reasonable. My monitor has a two port hub in it and the devices work ok in that.
Is there a particular hub feature that CircuitPython requires?
USB hubs vs CircuitPython
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- mikeysklar
- Posts: 13936
- Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:10 pm
Re: USB hubs vs CircuitPython
Interesting finding.
Is the Anker USB hub you are using a USB v2 or v3?
I've had the best success with USB 2.0 powered hubs.
https://www.adafruit.com/product/961
Does it make any difference if you plug a lipo into the CPX Bluefruit while using the hub?
Do you have issues programming or bringing up a serial console when using Arduino code?
Is the Anker USB hub you are using a USB v2 or v3?
I've had the best success with USB 2.0 powered hubs.
https://www.adafruit.com/product/961
Does it make any difference if you plug a lipo into the CPX Bluefruit while using the hub?
Do you have issues programming or bringing up a serial console when using Arduino code?
- kevinjwalters
- Posts: 1025
- Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2017 3:15 pm
Re: USB hubs vs CircuitPython
It's a USB 3.0 hub. My desktop has a mix of ports and the Anker hub does seem to be viable if I plug it into a USB 2.0 host port and plug the CPX/CPB's in sequentially with a slight pause between each one.
My montiors are antiques and will be USB 2.0. I've ordered some cheap, no-brand USB 2.0 hubs and will do some more experimentation when they arrive, thanks.
My montiors are antiques and will be USB 2.0. I've ordered some cheap, no-brand USB 2.0 hubs and will do some more experimentation when they arrive, thanks.
- danhalbert
- Posts: 4654
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2017 12:37 pm
Re: USB hubs vs CircuitPython
I had trouble with an inexpensive "Amazon Basics" 3.1 hub (USB-C). I have had much better luck with the aluminum-cased multi-function USB-C hubs that also have HDMI, Ethernet, etc. These are often advertised as port expanders for Macs (but I am using Linux).
- kevinjwalters
- Posts: 1025
- Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2017 3:15 pm
Re: USB hubs vs CircuitPython
I got a cheap (sub 5 USD) one advertised as USB 2.0 and this seems to have done the trick even when used in a USB 3.0 A port . I plugged them in sequentially and I've got 4 CIRCUITPY drives and 4 COM ports. I'm keeping the power around the 110mA level per board (green pixels full on) as I imagine something bad will happen if I go much above that on this humble, unpowered hub.
- Attachments
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- Low brand USB2.0 hub which seems ok for CircuitPython
- cheapo-usb2-hub-ok-circuitpython.jpg (7.3 KiB) Viewed 114 times
- mikeysklar
- Posts: 13936
- Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:10 pm
Re: USB hubs vs CircuitPython
Is the takeaway that reliable CircuitPython drive mounting and REPL console can currently be achieved via USB 2.0, but not so much with USB 3.x?
- danhalbert
- Posts: 4654
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2017 12:37 pm
Re: USB hubs vs CircuitPython
I would not say that. I use a USB-C port adapter that has 3 USB 3 "A" ports for all my CircuitPython debugging, and it's fine. It was the cheap USB 3.1 hub that had trouble.mikeysklar wrote:Is the takeaway that reliable CircuitPython drive mounting and REPL console can currently be achieved via USB 2.0, but not so much with USB 3.x?
- kevinjwalters
- Posts: 1025
- Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2017 3:15 pm
Re: USB hubs vs CircuitPython
The picture I posted before is a bit misleading with the blue plastic on the four USB ports. My one looks like this one.
I'll try both hubs with my laptop at some point.
I'll try both hubs with my laptop at some point.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.