Vinculum FAQ

Q: Which disk types are supported?
A: SCSI or ATAPI using USB Bulk Only Mass Storage (BOMS) Class disks are supported. Most USB Flash disks are SCSI.


Q: Which FAT formats are supported?
A: FAT12, FAT16 and FAT32.


Q: How can I upgrade my firmware?
A: Firmware can be programmed into the Vinculum via the UART interface. For details of this, see the application note ANVNC-01 Vinculum VNC1L Bootlader.
It is also possible to to reprogram the VNC1L firmware using the in-built reflasher.  This looks for a specific file on a USB Flash drive and reprograms it's own firmware from the USB Flash disk. This method is inherently risky as devices can be reprogrammed accidentally. For this reason, the files are currently only distributed by e-mail from FTDI support. The 245 FIFO and SPI interfaces cannot be used for reprogramming the VNC1L.


Q: What firmware is provided with the VNC1L?
A: The chip is provided blank.


Q: What USB devices can I connect to the VNC1L?
A: In theory, you can connect any USB peripheral. The current libraries support the following device classes:
Mass Storage Class on USB port 2 only
Printer Class on USB ports 1 and 2
HID Class (mouse, keyboard, etc.) on USB ports 1 and 2
FTDI peripherals (FT232, FT245, FT2232) on USB ports 1 and 2


Q: What firmware is supplied with the VDIP1 module?
A: The VDIP1 module comes with VDAP firmware pre-loaded.


Q: What firmware is supplied with the VDRIVE1 module?
A: The VDRIVE1 module comes with VDAP firmware pre-loaded.


Q: What firmware is supplied with the VMUSIC1 module?
A: The VMUSIC1 module comes with VMSC firmware pre-loaded.


Q: How do I control the VMUSIC1 module?
A: The VMUSIC1 can be sent commands via the UART interface. Using a TTL-232R-3V3 cable is a convenient way of doing this. A terminal application (e.g. HyperTerminal) can then be used to send commands to the VMUSIC1. The VMSC firmware recognises several commands specific to the VMUSIC1 module (e.g. v3a).
In addition to these commands, it is possible to write directly to registers within the VS1003 device using a generic write register command. This can be used to control volume, balance and other playback options. The registers available are listed in the VS1003 data sheet.


Q: How can I tell when the VNC1L is powered up and ready to use?
A: When the VNC1L has booted and enumerated any device connected to it, it will send a message via the monitor port reporting the firmware version being used.  For example:
Ver 02.09VDAPB On-Line:


Q: Can I connect the UART interface without RTS# and CTS# (i.e. just use RXD and TXD)?
A: No, you must use RXD, TXD, RTS# and CTS#. The VNC1L will not communicate through the UART until it sees CTS# go active.


Q: Can I connect the Vinculum directly to the RS232 port of my PC?
A: No, the Vinculum interface is 3V3 and as such requires a level shifter to convert to RS232.


Q: Why does my VNC1L report no upgrade when I put the new ROM file on the USB flash key?
A: The ROM file is not intended for flash upgrades. To install the ROM file requires a bootloader such as VPROG via the UART interface. For upgrading via flash you need an FTD file available on request from FTDI Support.


Q: What firmware do I need?
A: The firmware downloads support the device classes listed here.


Q: Why can I only send one command with HyperTerminal, then all other commands return "Bad Command"?
A: HyperTerminal has been set up incorrectly.  This screenshot shows the required settings.