USB Communication API

Question

Is there a decent USB communication API? Preferably cross-platform (Linux if not, I guess)

I don't have a specific use in mind, I just want to learn about using the USB ports for future electronics projects. I realize this is very general, I'll try to refine the question as the answers point me in the right direction.

Thanks.

Answer 1

libusb should work for you .. cross platform, user-space USB tools.

Answer 2

Depending on your electronics projects, a USB micro controller might be more what you're looking for.

Here is one of my favorite USB devices that do this sort of thing (servo controls, motor controls, LEDs, analog/digital I/O, etc.) phidgets.com

Cross platform, excellent. For example, setting the position of a servo to halfway I could call to the driver:

servo1.setPosition(50);

Easy as pie.

Good luck!