This is the article to explain the implementation of virtual COM-port in the USB module of the LPC1768. For setting up the Environment for the development of ARM cortex M3 is well discussed in this article.

The LPC 1768 is ARM Cortex- M3 based Microcontrollers for embedded application features in low power consumption and a high level of integration. The ARM Cortex M3 is designed in a such way to enhance debug features and a higher level of system integration. It clocks at a CPU frequency of 100 MHz, and incorporates a 3-stage pipeline and uses a Harvard architecture with separate local instruction and data buses for third bus peripherals. The ARM Cortex- M3 CPU have an internal pre-fetch unit to support speculative branching. The peripheral components include 512KB of flash memory, 64kb of data memory, Ethernet MAC, USB OTG, 4 UART’s, 8-channel general purpose DMA controller, 2 SSP Controllers, 10-bit DAC, Quadrature encoder interface, SPI interface, 3 I2C bus interface, 2 input plus 2 outputs I2S bus interface, 4 general purpose timers, ultra-low power Real-Time Clock (RTC) with separate battery supply, and up to 70 general purpose I/O pins, 6-output general purpose PWM. The LPC1768/66/65/64 is pin-compatible with the 100-pin LPC236x ARM7-based Microcontroller series.

Now-a-days it is hard to find a physical COM port in laptops and fast disappearing in desktops, it will be convenient for the embedded developers to have an on-chip USB interface. The LPC1768 has a USB device interface and this example will enable the user to make it as a virtual COM port.

USB:

Universal serial Bus (USB), a connection technology for attaching peripheral devices to a computer, providing fast data exchange. USB connects more than computers and peripherals. USB gives you a single, standardized, easy-to-use way to connect up to 127 devices to a computer.

Interfacing USB:

Below figure shows how to interface the USB to microcontroller. The USB is a 4 wire bus that supports communication between a host and a number (127 max.) of peripherals. In USB data cable Data+ and Data- signals are transmitted on a twisted pair. No termination needed. Half-duplex differential signaling helps to combat the effects of electromagnetic noise on longer lines. Contrary to popular belief, D+ and D- operate together; they are not separate simplex connections.

Fig. 1: Block Diagram Of USb Interfacing Microcontroller For Virtual Comport

Interfacing USB with LPC2148:

The LPC1768 controller enables 12 Mb/s data exchange with a USB host controller. It consists of register interface, serial interface engine, endpoint buffer memory and DMA controller. The input, output signals and a USB Bus are used to connect with controller. The LPC2148 controller read the USB voltage as power supply for controlling peripherals without having an external voltage. The LPC1768 USB takes supply voltage either from USB or external power supply by using a Jumper connection.

Circuit Diagram to Interface USB 2.0 with LPC1768:

Fig. 2: Circuit Diagram To Interface USB 2.0 Virtual Comport With LPC1768

To build this example, first download and extract the quick start code base.

Windows will ask for a driver the first time the device is used. The .inf file needed is in the library folder itself.

Fig. 3: Searching For Driver In Windows

Fig. 4: Browsing Driver Software In Windows

Windows 7 lacks terminal software. So, you’ll have to use a third party terminal software like, Arduino comport and putty. Whatever you may using you will need to know what number is assigned to the LPC1768 COM port. This can be seen in the Device manager.

Fig. 5: Number Assigned To LPC1768 COM Port Seen In Device Manager

As seen above, COM14 is what we will need to use for communicating with LPC1768 and USB-Serial converter is connected in COM6.

Working:

The USB and the UART-Serial are connected to the system, then two terminal software are opened for each separately. Here we are using putty and the Arduino IDE terminal software.

Fig. 6: Putty And Arduino IDE Terminal Software Window For Serial Communication

Any data entered to the COM6 will be reflected in the COM14 and vice versa.

Fig. 7: USB Virtual Comport Using LPC1768 Prototype

Project Source Code

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 The codes are linked in Description ###

Circuit Diagrams

Circuit-Diagram-of-USB-Virtual-Comport-Using-LPC1768

Project Components

Project Video

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Filed Under: ARM

 

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