Does USB supply a “constant” 5V or “up-to” 5V?
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I am trying to reverse engineer a digitizer inside an old laptop. I am fairly certain it is a USB device because I noticed a twisted pair of cables next to a ground wire. Just to make sure it is USB I probed the pin to the other side of (what I suspect to be) D-. When I did this I saw different voltages flashing very quickly but nothing close to 5V. I believe the max I saw was 1.2V and min being somewhere around .3V.
I don't want to wire this up to a USB cable out of fear of destroying the digitizer if it can't in fact handle 5V.
This would make sense to be USB VCC if it does offer up to 5V but I couldn't find anything definitive that I could understand at least.
power usb
edited Jan 30 at 8:45
pipe
10.1k42657
asked Jan 30 at 6:13
JLegendreJLegendre
13213
$endgroup$
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
I am trying to reverse engineer a digitizer inside an old laptop. I am fairly certain it is a USB device because I noticed a twisted pair of cables next to a ground wire. Just to make sure it is USB I probed the pin to the other side of (what I suspect to be) D-. When I did this I saw different voltages flashing very quickly but nothing close to 5V. I believe the max I saw was 1.2V and min being somewhere around .3V.
I don't want to wire this up to a USB cable out of fear of destroying the digitizer if it can't in fact handle 5V.
This would make sense to be USB VCC if it does offer up to 5V but I couldn't find anything definitive that I could understand at least.
power usb
edited Jan 30 at 8:45
pipe
10.1k42657
asked Jan 30 at 6:13
JLegendreJLegendre
13213
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Classic USB had 4 wires. Power, Ground, data+ and data-. Power will be 5V when present (with some tolerance). Ground is defined as zero Volts. Data+ and Data- are often 3.3V signals, but they are not required to be.
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– mkeith
Jan 30 at 6:41
8
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Apparently there is a mix-up between VBUS power over USB, with signaling levels over D+/D- data lines. I am just curious, what kind of USB "digitizer" could be in "an old laptop"?
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– Ale..chenski
Jan 30 at 6:52
1
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@Ale..chenski its a Wacom digitizer in a Fujitsu T901
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– JLegendre
Jan 30 at 12:11
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From what I understand about power supplies, the voltage level is not ever constant; it fluctuates within a range (4.75V to 5.25V for USB, as pointed out in Jasen's answer).
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– Agi Hammerthief
Jan 30 at 14:14
5
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If the laptop still operates, look at the USB device tree in your OS to determine if its a USB device.
$endgroup$
– sstobbe
Jan 30 at 16:13
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
I am trying to reverse engineer a digitizer inside an old laptop. I am fairly certain it is a USB device because I noticed a twisted pair of cables next to a ground wire. Just to make sure it is USB I probed the pin to the other side of (what I suspect to be) D-. When I did this I saw different voltages flashing very quickly but nothing close to 5V. I believe the max I saw was 1.2V and min being somewhere around .3V.
I don't want to wire this up to a USB cable out of fear of destroying the digitizer if it can't in fact handle 5V.
This would make sense to be USB VCC if it does offer up to 5V but I couldn't find anything definitive that I could understand at least.
power usb
edited Jan 30 at 8:45
pipe
10.1k42657
asked Jan 30 at 6:13
JLegendreJLegendre
13213
$endgroup$
I am trying to reverse engineer a digitizer inside an old laptop. I am fairly certain it is a USB device because I noticed a twisted pair of cables next to a ground wire. Just to make sure it is USB I probed the pin to the other side of (what I suspect to be) D-. When I did this I saw different voltages flashing very quickly but nothing close to 5V. I believe the max I saw was 1.2V and min being somewhere around .3V.
I don't want to wire this up to a USB cable out of fear of destroying the digitizer if it can't in fact handle 5V.
This would make sense to be USB VCC if it does offer up to 5V but I couldn't find anything definitive that I could understand at least.
power usb
power usb
edited Jan 30 at 8:45
pipe
10.1k42657
asked Jan 30 at 6:13
JLegendreJLegendre
13213
edited Jan 30 at 8:45
pipe
10.1k42657
asked Jan 30 at 6:13
JLegendreJLegendre
13213
edited Jan 30 at 8:45
pipe
10.1k42657
edited Jan 30 at 8:45
pipe
10.1k42657
edited Jan 30 at 8:45
pipe
10.1k42657
10.1k42657
asked Jan 30 at 6:13
JLegendreJLegendre
13213
asked Jan 30 at 6:13
JLegendreJLegendre
13213
asked Jan 30 at 6:13
JLegendreJLegendre
13213
13213
1
$begingroup$
Classic USB had 4 wires. Power, Ground, data+ and data-. Power will be 5V when present (with some tolerance). Ground is defined as zero Volts. Data+ and Data- are often 3.3V signals, but they are not required to be.
$endgroup$
– mkeith
Jan 30 at 6:41
8
$begingroup$
Apparently there is a mix-up between VBUS power over USB, with signaling levels over D+/D- data lines. I am just curious, what kind of USB "digitizer" could be in "an old laptop"?
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 30 at 6:52
1
$begingroup$
@Ale..chenski its a Wacom digitizer in a Fujitsu T901
$endgroup$
– JLegendre
Jan 30 at 12:11
$begingroup$
From what I understand about power supplies, the voltage level is not ever constant; it fluctuates within a range (4.75V to 5.25V for USB, as pointed out in Jasen's answer).
$endgroup$
– Agi Hammerthief
Jan 30 at 14:14
5
$begingroup$
If the laptop still operates, look at the USB device tree in your OS to determine if its a USB device.
$endgroup$
– sstobbe
Jan 30 at 16:13
|
show 1 more comment
1
$begingroup$
Classic USB had 4 wires. Power, Ground, data+ and data-. Power will be 5V when present (with some tolerance). Ground is defined as zero Volts. Data+ and Data- are often 3.3V signals, but they are not required to be.
$endgroup$
– mkeith
Jan 30 at 6:41
8
$begingroup$
Apparently there is a mix-up between VBUS power over USB, with signaling levels over D+/D- data lines. I am just curious, what kind of USB "digitizer" could be in "an old laptop"?
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 30 at 6:52
1
$begingroup$
@Ale..chenski its a Wacom digitizer in a Fujitsu T901
$endgroup$
– JLegendre
Jan 30 at 12:11
$begingroup$
From what I understand about power supplies, the voltage level is not ever constant; it fluctuates within a range (4.75V to 5.25V for USB, as pointed out in Jasen's answer).
$endgroup$
– Agi Hammerthief
Jan 30 at 14:14
5
$begingroup$
If the laptop still operates, look at the USB device tree in your OS to determine if its a USB device.
$endgroup$
– sstobbe
Jan 30 at 16:13
1
1
$begingroup$
Classic USB had 4 wires. Power, Ground, data+ and data-. Power will be 5V when present (with some tolerance). Ground is defined as zero Volts. Data+ and Data- are often 3.3V signals, but they are not required to be.
$endgroup$
– mkeith
Jan 30 at 6:41
$begingroup$
Classic USB had 4 wires. Power, Ground, data+ and data-. Power will be 5V when present (with some tolerance). Ground is defined as zero Volts. Data+ and Data- are often 3.3V signals, but they are not required to be.
$endgroup$
– mkeith
Jan 30 at 6:41
8
8
$begingroup$
Apparently there is a mix-up between VBUS power over USB, with signaling levels over D+/D- data lines. I am just curious, what kind of USB "digitizer" could be in "an old laptop"?
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 30 at 6:52
$begingroup$
Apparently there is a mix-up between VBUS power over USB, with signaling levels over D+/D- data lines. I am just curious, what kind of USB "digitizer" could be in "an old laptop"?
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 30 at 6:52
1
1
$begingroup$
@Ale..chenski its a Wacom digitizer in a Fujitsu T901
$endgroup$
– JLegendre
Jan 30 at 12:11
$begingroup$
@Ale..chenski its a Wacom digitizer in a Fujitsu T901
$endgroup$
– JLegendre
Jan 30 at 12:11
$begingroup$
From what I understand about power supplies, the voltage level is not ever constant; it fluctuates within a range (4.75V to 5.25V for USB, as pointed out in Jasen's answer).
$endgroup$
– Agi Hammerthief
Jan 30 at 14:14
$begingroup$
From what I understand about power supplies, the voltage level is not ever constant; it fluctuates within a range (4.75V to 5.25V for USB, as pointed out in Jasen's answer).
$endgroup$
– Agi Hammerthief
Jan 30 at 14:14
5
5
$begingroup$
If the laptop still operates, look at the USB device tree in your OS to determine if its a USB device.
$endgroup$
– sstobbe
Jan 30 at 16:13
$begingroup$
If the laptop still operates, look at the USB device tree in your OS to determine if its a USB device.
$endgroup$
– sstobbe
Jan 30 at 16:13
|
show 1 more comment
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
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TL;DR just because it's connected to the USB does not mean 5V or even that it is powered from USB.
For versions 1 and 2 of USB The spec says 5V +/- 5%, so you should design to accept 4.75V to 5.25V.
USB Version 3.something introduces the availability of increased voltages (up to 20V). but a device has to explicitly request increased voltage, else they just get the same Approximately 5V.
When I plug my phone into its charger via a power meter I see the voltage jump to 9V
My laptop's charger uses a USB C connector and can provide 5,9,15, or 20V (according to the label)
Now, your laptop's internal device may be designed for some voltage other than 5V. The USB data lines D+ and D- signal at only 3.3V. So, 3.3V could instead be the supply to the (touch-screen) digitizer.
In general the USB host can't see the device's supply voltage, it only sees the data signals.
Some USB devices (eg: laser printers) do not use the USB VCC line for power.
answered Jan 30 at 8:13
JasenJasen
11.2k1531
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1
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"Some USB devices (eg: laser printers) do not use the USB VCC line at all." - this would render the USB device quite uncertifiable... which would be strange for such reputable and expensive devices as a printer.
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– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 4:20
2
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What's the minimum VCC current draw for a compliant device?
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– Jasen
Jan 31 at 6:06
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There is no minimum, but there is a maximum of 100 mA a compliant device can use before being configured. Why do you ask?
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 7:06
5
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my reasoning is that because 0mA ia acceptable, not using the VCC line is legal.
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Jan 31 at 7:16
1
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"not using the VCC line is legal" - no it is not. A compliant USB device must use VBUS (your "VCC") to start connection (pull one of D line up, depending on device speed). And it must not start connect signaling until VBUS is up. See my answer here, electronics.stackexchange.com/a/323551/117785
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– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 17:40
|
show 1 more comment
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USB Vcc is 5V - constant.
It should only drop if you draw too much current, in which case a PTC (automatically resetting fuse) will open and shut off the current. In that case the voltage will drop to near zero.
The voltage on the data lines is a different story. D+ and D- transmit data at high speed. Your multimeter can't make any sense of what is there - it changes way too fast for the meter.
answered Jan 30 at 6:44
JREJRE
22.2k43771
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1
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Also note that the D+ and D- signals communicate through a differential-mode driver. More information here: electronics.stackexchange.com/a/303474/175287
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– Paul Belanger
Jan 30 at 14:54
add a comment |
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If there isn't a clear sign that it is USB, consider that it could be SPI, I2C/SMBus or some other form of serial connection, particularly for an internal device. These are (and were) commonly used for internal data connections at fairly low data rates.
What did you probe the signal with? If a voltmeter, the readings of 0.3 to 1.2V could be (or almost certainly are) misleading on a data line. If an oscilloscope, can you post a picture of the signal?
It would also help if you post a picture (or details of markings) of any ICs on the digitizer, and any silkscreen markings on the PCB where the suspected USB line is attached.
answered Jan 30 at 12:12
rolingerrolinger
1733
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add a comment |
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USB will power 5v constant. If your digitizer has unkonwn input voltage requirement, it is better to do more research or ask the manufacturer of the device or laptop. If you directly power it for experiment, it may blow some component or IC which maybe very difficult to find in the open market.
answered Jan 30 at 6:41
Rajesh KakkadRajesh Kakkad
292
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No, just as any other voltage source, a USB port has an internal impedance. The USB spec is actually explicit about the voltage range permitted for USB supplies und specified load.
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– Marcus Müller
Mar 1 at 11:33
add a comment |
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I recently bought two cheap measurent devices, one for Micro USB and another one for USB-C to verify the wall-charger/cable/QI-charger chain for different devices. Nowadays USB seems to constantly haggle about voltage and wattage! Some of my chargers would provide up to 12 V through USB (far off the original specification) but some devices would even consume it under varying circumstances.
To cut a short story shorter: You will not get around to measure your specific case. The specifications are interpreted in enough ways to ake this necessary.
answered Jan 30 at 15:54
PatruPatru
1011
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add a comment |
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It sounds like you probed a data line.
USB supplies 5V for power. However, signalling is at lower voltages. USB 1.1 used 3.3V signalling, and USB 2.0 High Speed uses about 400mV. If you could see the line changing then it was likely a data line.
That is if it was USB at all of course. It could be PS2 or something else.
answered Jan 30 at 16:25
useruser
1,279616
$endgroup$
add a comment |
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6 Answers
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6 Answers
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$begingroup$
TL;DR just because it's connected to the USB does not mean 5V or even that it is powered from USB.
For versions 1 and 2 of USB The spec says 5V +/- 5%, so you should design to accept 4.75V to 5.25V.
USB Version 3.something introduces the availability of increased voltages (up to 20V). but a device has to explicitly request increased voltage, else they just get the same Approximately 5V.
When I plug my phone into its charger via a power meter I see the voltage jump to 9V
My laptop's charger uses a USB C connector and can provide 5,9,15, or 20V (according to the label)
Now, your laptop's internal device may be designed for some voltage other than 5V. The USB data lines D+ and D- signal at only 3.3V. So, 3.3V could instead be the supply to the (touch-screen) digitizer.
In general the USB host can't see the device's supply voltage, it only sees the data signals.
Some USB devices (eg: laser printers) do not use the USB VCC line for power.
answered Jan 30 at 8:13
JasenJasen
11.2k1531
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
"Some USB devices (eg: laser printers) do not use the USB VCC line at all." - this would render the USB device quite uncertifiable... which would be strange for such reputable and expensive devices as a printer.
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 4:20
2
$begingroup$
What's the minimum VCC current draw for a compliant device?
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Jan 31 at 6:06
$begingroup$
There is no minimum, but there is a maximum of 100 mA a compliant device can use before being configured. Why do you ask?
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 7:06
5
$begingroup$
my reasoning is that because 0mA ia acceptable, not using the VCC line is legal.
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Jan 31 at 7:16
1
$begingroup$
"not using the VCC line is legal" - no it is not. A compliant USB device must use VBUS (your "VCC") to start connection (pull one of D line up, depending on device speed). And it must not start connect signaling until VBUS is up. See my answer here, electronics.stackexchange.com/a/323551/117785
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 17:40
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
TL;DR just because it's connected to the USB does not mean 5V or even that it is powered from USB.
For versions 1 and 2 of USB The spec says 5V +/- 5%, so you should design to accept 4.75V to 5.25V.
USB Version 3.something introduces the availability of increased voltages (up to 20V). but a device has to explicitly request increased voltage, else they just get the same Approximately 5V.
When I plug my phone into its charger via a power meter I see the voltage jump to 9V
My laptop's charger uses a USB C connector and can provide 5,9,15, or 20V (according to the label)
Now, your laptop's internal device may be designed for some voltage other than 5V. The USB data lines D+ and D- signal at only 3.3V. So, 3.3V could instead be the supply to the (touch-screen) digitizer.
In general the USB host can't see the device's supply voltage, it only sees the data signals.
Some USB devices (eg: laser printers) do not use the USB VCC line for power.
answered Jan 30 at 8:13
JasenJasen
11.2k1531
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
"Some USB devices (eg: laser printers) do not use the USB VCC line at all." - this would render the USB device quite uncertifiable... which would be strange for such reputable and expensive devices as a printer.
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 4:20
2
$begingroup$
What's the minimum VCC current draw for a compliant device?
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Jan 31 at 6:06
$begingroup$
There is no minimum, but there is a maximum of 100 mA a compliant device can use before being configured. Why do you ask?
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 7:06
5
$begingroup$
my reasoning is that because 0mA ia acceptable, not using the VCC line is legal.
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Jan 31 at 7:16
1
$begingroup$
"not using the VCC line is legal" - no it is not. A compliant USB device must use VBUS (your "VCC") to start connection (pull one of D line up, depending on device speed). And it must not start connect signaling until VBUS is up. See my answer here, electronics.stackexchange.com/a/323551/117785
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 17:40
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
TL;DR just because it's connected to the USB does not mean 5V or even that it is powered from USB.
For versions 1 and 2 of USB The spec says 5V +/- 5%, so you should design to accept 4.75V to 5.25V.
USB Version 3.something introduces the availability of increased voltages (up to 20V). but a device has to explicitly request increased voltage, else they just get the same Approximately 5V.
When I plug my phone into its charger via a power meter I see the voltage jump to 9V
My laptop's charger uses a USB C connector and can provide 5,9,15, or 20V (according to the label)
Now, your laptop's internal device may be designed for some voltage other than 5V. The USB data lines D+ and D- signal at only 3.3V. So, 3.3V could instead be the supply to the (touch-screen) digitizer.
In general the USB host can't see the device's supply voltage, it only sees the data signals.
Some USB devices (eg: laser printers) do not use the USB VCC line for power.
answered Jan 30 at 8:13
JasenJasen
11.2k1531
$endgroup$
TL;DR just because it's connected to the USB does not mean 5V or even that it is powered from USB.
For versions 1 and 2 of USB The spec says 5V +/- 5%, so you should design to accept 4.75V to 5.25V.
USB Version 3.something introduces the availability of increased voltages (up to 20V). but a device has to explicitly request increased voltage, else they just get the same Approximately 5V.
When I plug my phone into its charger via a power meter I see the voltage jump to 9V
My laptop's charger uses a USB C connector and can provide 5,9,15, or 20V (according to the label)
Now, your laptop's internal device may be designed for some voltage other than 5V. The USB data lines D+ and D- signal at only 3.3V. So, 3.3V could instead be the supply to the (touch-screen) digitizer.
In general the USB host can't see the device's supply voltage, it only sees the data signals.
Some USB devices (eg: laser printers) do not use the USB VCC line for power.
answered Jan 30 at 8:13
JasenJasen
11.2k1531
edited Feb 1 at 0:50
answered Jan 30 at 8:13
JasenJasen
11.2k1531
answered Jan 30 at 8:13
JasenJasen
11.2k1531
answered Jan 30 at 8:13
JasenJasen
11.2k1531
11.2k1531
1
$begingroup$
"Some USB devices (eg: laser printers) do not use the USB VCC line at all." - this would render the USB device quite uncertifiable... which would be strange for such reputable and expensive devices as a printer.
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 4:20
2
$begingroup$
What's the minimum VCC current draw for a compliant device?
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Jan 31 at 6:06
$begingroup$
There is no minimum, but there is a maximum of 100 mA a compliant device can use before being configured. Why do you ask?
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 7:06
5
$begingroup$
my reasoning is that because 0mA ia acceptable, not using the VCC line is legal.
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Jan 31 at 7:16
1
$begingroup$
"not using the VCC line is legal" - no it is not. A compliant USB device must use VBUS (your "VCC") to start connection (pull one of D line up, depending on device speed). And it must not start connect signaling until VBUS is up. See my answer here, electronics.stackexchange.com/a/323551/117785
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 17:40
|
show 1 more comment
1
$begingroup$
"Some USB devices (eg: laser printers) do not use the USB VCC line at all." - this would render the USB device quite uncertifiable... which would be strange for such reputable and expensive devices as a printer.
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 4:20
2
$begingroup$
What's the minimum VCC current draw for a compliant device?
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Jan 31 at 6:06
$begingroup$
There is no minimum, but there is a maximum of 100 mA a compliant device can use before being configured. Why do you ask?
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 7:06
5
$begingroup$
my reasoning is that because 0mA ia acceptable, not using the VCC line is legal.
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Jan 31 at 7:16
1
$begingroup$
"not using the VCC line is legal" - no it is not. A compliant USB device must use VBUS (your "VCC") to start connection (pull one of D line up, depending on device speed). And it must not start connect signaling until VBUS is up. See my answer here, electronics.stackexchange.com/a/323551/117785
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 17:40
1
1
$begingroup$
"Some USB devices (eg: laser printers) do not use the USB VCC line at all." - this would render the USB device quite uncertifiable... which would be strange for such reputable and expensive devices as a printer.
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 4:20
$begingroup$
"Some USB devices (eg: laser printers) do not use the USB VCC line at all." - this would render the USB device quite uncertifiable... which would be strange for such reputable and expensive devices as a printer.
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 4:20
2
2
$begingroup$
What's the minimum VCC current draw for a compliant device?
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Jan 31 at 6:06
$begingroup$
What's the minimum VCC current draw for a compliant device?
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Jan 31 at 6:06
$begingroup$
There is no minimum, but there is a maximum of 100 mA a compliant device can use before being configured. Why do you ask?
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 7:06
$begingroup$
There is no minimum, but there is a maximum of 100 mA a compliant device can use before being configured. Why do you ask?
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 7:06
5
5
$begingroup$
my reasoning is that because 0mA ia acceptable, not using the VCC line is legal.
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Jan 31 at 7:16
$begingroup$
my reasoning is that because 0mA ia acceptable, not using the VCC line is legal.
$endgroup$
– Jasen
Jan 31 at 7:16
1
1
$begingroup$
"not using the VCC line is legal" - no it is not. A compliant USB device must use VBUS (your "VCC") to start connection (pull one of D line up, depending on device speed). And it must not start connect signaling until VBUS is up. See my answer here, electronics.stackexchange.com/a/323551/117785
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 17:40
$begingroup$
"not using the VCC line is legal" - no it is not. A compliant USB device must use VBUS (your "VCC") to start connection (pull one of D line up, depending on device speed). And it must not start connect signaling until VBUS is up. See my answer here, electronics.stackexchange.com/a/323551/117785
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 31 at 17:40
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
USB Vcc is 5V - constant.
It should only drop if you draw too much current, in which case a PTC (automatically resetting fuse) will open and shut off the current. In that case the voltage will drop to near zero.
The voltage on the data lines is a different story. D+ and D- transmit data at high speed. Your multimeter can't make any sense of what is there - it changes way too fast for the meter.
answered Jan 30 at 6:44
JREJRE
22.2k43771
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Also note that the D+ and D- signals communicate through a differential-mode driver. More information here: electronics.stackexchange.com/a/303474/175287
$endgroup$
– Paul Belanger
Jan 30 at 14:54
add a comment |
$begingroup$
USB Vcc is 5V - constant.
It should only drop if you draw too much current, in which case a PTC (automatically resetting fuse) will open and shut off the current. In that case the voltage will drop to near zero.
The voltage on the data lines is a different story. D+ and D- transmit data at high speed. Your multimeter can't make any sense of what is there - it changes way too fast for the meter.
answered Jan 30 at 6:44
JREJRE
22.2k43771
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Also note that the D+ and D- signals communicate through a differential-mode driver. More information here: electronics.stackexchange.com/a/303474/175287
$endgroup$
– Paul Belanger
Jan 30 at 14:54
add a comment |
$begingroup$
USB Vcc is 5V - constant.
It should only drop if you draw too much current, in which case a PTC (automatically resetting fuse) will open and shut off the current. In that case the voltage will drop to near zero.
The voltage on the data lines is a different story. D+ and D- transmit data at high speed. Your multimeter can't make any sense of what is there - it changes way too fast for the meter.
answered Jan 30 at 6:44
JREJRE
22.2k43771
$endgroup$
USB Vcc is 5V - constant.
It should only drop if you draw too much current, in which case a PTC (automatically resetting fuse) will open and shut off the current. In that case the voltage will drop to near zero.
The voltage on the data lines is a different story. D+ and D- transmit data at high speed. Your multimeter can't make any sense of what is there - it changes way too fast for the meter.
answered Jan 30 at 6:44
JREJRE
22.2k43771
answered Jan 30 at 6:44
JREJRE
22.2k43771
answered Jan 30 at 6:44
JREJRE
22.2k43771
answered Jan 30 at 6:44
JREJRE
22.2k43771
22.2k43771
1
$begingroup$
Also note that the D+ and D- signals communicate through a differential-mode driver. More information here: electronics.stackexchange.com/a/303474/175287
$endgroup$
– Paul Belanger
Jan 30 at 14:54
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
Also note that the D+ and D- signals communicate through a differential-mode driver. More information here: electronics.stackexchange.com/a/303474/175287
$endgroup$
– Paul Belanger
Jan 30 at 14:54
1
1
$begingroup$
Also note that the D+ and D- signals communicate through a differential-mode driver. More information here: electronics.stackexchange.com/a/303474/175287
$endgroup$
– Paul Belanger
Jan 30 at 14:54
$begingroup$
Also note that the D+ and D- signals communicate through a differential-mode driver. More information here: electronics.stackexchange.com/a/303474/175287
$endgroup$
– Paul Belanger
Jan 30 at 14:54
add a comment |
$begingroup$
If there isn't a clear sign that it is USB, consider that it could be SPI, I2C/SMBus or some other form of serial connection, particularly for an internal device. These are (and were) commonly used for internal data connections at fairly low data rates.
What did you probe the signal with? If a voltmeter, the readings of 0.3 to 1.2V could be (or almost certainly are) misleading on a data line. If an oscilloscope, can you post a picture of the signal?
It would also help if you post a picture (or details of markings) of any ICs on the digitizer, and any silkscreen markings on the PCB where the suspected USB line is attached.
answered Jan 30 at 12:12
rolingerrolinger
1733
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
If there isn't a clear sign that it is USB, consider that it could be SPI, I2C/SMBus or some other form of serial connection, particularly for an internal device. These are (and were) commonly used for internal data connections at fairly low data rates.
What did you probe the signal with? If a voltmeter, the readings of 0.3 to 1.2V could be (or almost certainly are) misleading on a data line. If an oscilloscope, can you post a picture of the signal?
It would also help if you post a picture (or details of markings) of any ICs on the digitizer, and any silkscreen markings on the PCB where the suspected USB line is attached.
answered Jan 30 at 12:12
rolingerrolinger
1733
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
If there isn't a clear sign that it is USB, consider that it could be SPI, I2C/SMBus or some other form of serial connection, particularly for an internal device. These are (and were) commonly used for internal data connections at fairly low data rates.
What did you probe the signal with? If a voltmeter, the readings of 0.3 to 1.2V could be (or almost certainly are) misleading on a data line. If an oscilloscope, can you post a picture of the signal?
It would also help if you post a picture (or details of markings) of any ICs on the digitizer, and any silkscreen markings on the PCB where the suspected USB line is attached.
answered Jan 30 at 12:12
rolingerrolinger
1733
$endgroup$
If there isn't a clear sign that it is USB, consider that it could be SPI, I2C/SMBus or some other form of serial connection, particularly for an internal device. These are (and were) commonly used for internal data connections at fairly low data rates.
What did you probe the signal with? If a voltmeter, the readings of 0.3 to 1.2V could be (or almost certainly are) misleading on a data line. If an oscilloscope, can you post a picture of the signal?
It would also help if you post a picture (or details of markings) of any ICs on the digitizer, and any silkscreen markings on the PCB where the suspected USB line is attached.
answered Jan 30 at 12:12
rolingerrolinger
1733
answered Jan 30 at 12:12
rolingerrolinger
1733
answered Jan 30 at 12:12
rolingerrolinger
1733
answered Jan 30 at 12:12
rolingerrolinger
1733
1733
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
USB will power 5v constant. If your digitizer has unkonwn input voltage requirement, it is better to do more research or ask the manufacturer of the device or laptop. If you directly power it for experiment, it may blow some component or IC which maybe very difficult to find in the open market.
answered Jan 30 at 6:41
Rajesh KakkadRajesh Kakkad
292
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
No, just as any other voltage source, a USB port has an internal impedance. The USB spec is actually explicit about the voltage range permitted for USB supplies und specified load.
$endgroup$
– Marcus Müller
Mar 1 at 11:33
add a comment |
$begingroup$
USB will power 5v constant. If your digitizer has unkonwn input voltage requirement, it is better to do more research or ask the manufacturer of the device or laptop. If you directly power it for experiment, it may blow some component or IC which maybe very difficult to find in the open market.
answered Jan 30 at 6:41
Rajesh KakkadRajesh Kakkad
292
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
No, just as any other voltage source, a USB port has an internal impedance. The USB spec is actually explicit about the voltage range permitted for USB supplies und specified load.
$endgroup$
– Marcus Müller
Mar 1 at 11:33
add a comment |
$begingroup$
USB will power 5v constant. If your digitizer has unkonwn input voltage requirement, it is better to do more research or ask the manufacturer of the device or laptop. If you directly power it for experiment, it may blow some component or IC which maybe very difficult to find in the open market.
answered Jan 30 at 6:41
Rajesh KakkadRajesh Kakkad
292
$endgroup$
USB will power 5v constant. If your digitizer has unkonwn input voltage requirement, it is better to do more research or ask the manufacturer of the device or laptop. If you directly power it for experiment, it may blow some component or IC which maybe very difficult to find in the open market.
answered Jan 30 at 6:41
Rajesh KakkadRajesh Kakkad
292
answered Jan 30 at 6:41
Rajesh KakkadRajesh Kakkad
292
answered Jan 30 at 6:41
Rajesh KakkadRajesh Kakkad
292
answered Jan 30 at 6:41
Rajesh KakkadRajesh Kakkad
292
292
$begingroup$
No, just as any other voltage source, a USB port has an internal impedance. The USB spec is actually explicit about the voltage range permitted for USB supplies und specified load.
$endgroup$
– Marcus Müller
Mar 1 at 11:33
add a comment |
$begingroup$
No, just as any other voltage source, a USB port has an internal impedance. The USB spec is actually explicit about the voltage range permitted for USB supplies und specified load.
$endgroup$
– Marcus Müller
Mar 1 at 11:33
$begingroup$
No, just as any other voltage source, a USB port has an internal impedance. The USB spec is actually explicit about the voltage range permitted for USB supplies und specified load.
$endgroup$
– Marcus Müller
Mar 1 at 11:33
$begingroup$
No, just as any other voltage source, a USB port has an internal impedance. The USB spec is actually explicit about the voltage range permitted for USB supplies und specified load.
$endgroup$
– Marcus Müller
Mar 1 at 11:33
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I recently bought two cheap measurent devices, one for Micro USB and another one for USB-C to verify the wall-charger/cable/QI-charger chain for different devices. Nowadays USB seems to constantly haggle about voltage and wattage! Some of my chargers would provide up to 12 V through USB (far off the original specification) but some devices would even consume it under varying circumstances.
To cut a short story shorter: You will not get around to measure your specific case. The specifications are interpreted in enough ways to ake this necessary.
answered Jan 30 at 15:54
PatruPatru
1011
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I recently bought two cheap measurent devices, one for Micro USB and another one for USB-C to verify the wall-charger/cable/QI-charger chain for different devices. Nowadays USB seems to constantly haggle about voltage and wattage! Some of my chargers would provide up to 12 V through USB (far off the original specification) but some devices would even consume it under varying circumstances.
To cut a short story shorter: You will not get around to measure your specific case. The specifications are interpreted in enough ways to ake this necessary.
answered Jan 30 at 15:54
PatruPatru
1011
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I recently bought two cheap measurent devices, one for Micro USB and another one for USB-C to verify the wall-charger/cable/QI-charger chain for different devices. Nowadays USB seems to constantly haggle about voltage and wattage! Some of my chargers would provide up to 12 V through USB (far off the original specification) but some devices would even consume it under varying circumstances.
To cut a short story shorter: You will not get around to measure your specific case. The specifications are interpreted in enough ways to ake this necessary.
answered Jan 30 at 15:54
PatruPatru
1011
$endgroup$
I recently bought two cheap measurent devices, one for Micro USB and another one for USB-C to verify the wall-charger/cable/QI-charger chain for different devices. Nowadays USB seems to constantly haggle about voltage and wattage! Some of my chargers would provide up to 12 V through USB (far off the original specification) but some devices would even consume it under varying circumstances.
To cut a short story shorter: You will not get around to measure your specific case. The specifications are interpreted in enough ways to ake this necessary.
answered Jan 30 at 15:54
PatruPatru
1011
answered Jan 30 at 15:54
PatruPatru
1011
answered Jan 30 at 15:54
PatruPatru
1011
answered Jan 30 at 15:54
PatruPatru
1011
1011
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It sounds like you probed a data line.
USB supplies 5V for power. However, signalling is at lower voltages. USB 1.1 used 3.3V signalling, and USB 2.0 High Speed uses about 400mV. If you could see the line changing then it was likely a data line.
That is if it was USB at all of course. It could be PS2 or something else.
answered Jan 30 at 16:25
useruser
1,279616
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It sounds like you probed a data line.
USB supplies 5V for power. However, signalling is at lower voltages. USB 1.1 used 3.3V signalling, and USB 2.0 High Speed uses about 400mV. If you could see the line changing then it was likely a data line.
That is if it was USB at all of course. It could be PS2 or something else.
answered Jan 30 at 16:25
useruser
1,279616
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It sounds like you probed a data line.
USB supplies 5V for power. However, signalling is at lower voltages. USB 1.1 used 3.3V signalling, and USB 2.0 High Speed uses about 400mV. If you could see the line changing then it was likely a data line.
That is if it was USB at all of course. It could be PS2 or something else.
answered Jan 30 at 16:25
useruser
1,279616
$endgroup$
It sounds like you probed a data line.
USB supplies 5V for power. However, signalling is at lower voltages. USB 1.1 used 3.3V signalling, and USB 2.0 High Speed uses about 400mV. If you could see the line changing then it was likely a data line.
That is if it was USB at all of course. It could be PS2 or something else.
answered Jan 30 at 16:25
useruser
1,279616
answered Jan 30 at 16:25
useruser
1,279616
answered Jan 30 at 16:25
useruser
1,279616
answered Jan 30 at 16:25
useruser
1,279616
1,279616
add a comment |
add a comment |
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1
$begingroup$
Classic USB had 4 wires. Power, Ground, data+ and data-. Power will be 5V when present (with some tolerance). Ground is defined as zero Volts. Data+ and Data- are often 3.3V signals, but they are not required to be.
$endgroup$
– mkeith
Jan 30 at 6:41
8
$begingroup$
Apparently there is a mix-up between VBUS power over USB, with signaling levels over D+/D- data lines. I am just curious, what kind of USB "digitizer" could be in "an old laptop"?
$endgroup$
– Ale..chenski
Jan 30 at 6:52
1
$begingroup$
@Ale..chenski its a Wacom digitizer in a Fujitsu T901
$endgroup$
– JLegendre
Jan 30 at 12:11
$begingroup$
From what I understand about power supplies, the voltage level is not ever constant; it fluctuates within a range (4.75V to 5.25V for USB, as pointed out in Jasen's answer).
$endgroup$
– Agi Hammerthief
Jan 30 at 14:14
5
$begingroup$
If the laptop still operates, look at the USB device tree in your OS to determine if its a USB device.
$endgroup$
– sstobbe
Jan 30 at 16:13