SparkFun USB-C Host Shield

The SparkFun USB-C Host Shield is a powerful tool that provides your Arduino with the capability to function as a USB peripheral/host controller. This opens up a world of possibilities, allowing your Arduino to interact with a wide range of USB 2.0 compatible devices such as thumb drives, digital cameras, and BT dongles.

Updated to include a USB-C connector, the shield offers the flexibility to power it from either the 5V or VIN pins. The USB-C female connector also delivers 5V, just like any standard USB port. Communication with the host controller chip is facilitated via a four-wire serial interface, connecting the Arduino's hardware SPI pins (D10-13) to the MAX3421E. All SPI signals are converted to 3.3V through a hex converter.

The SparkFun USB-C Host Shield features a MAX3421E USB Controller that offers both USB Host and Peripheral Functionality. It operates within a voltage range of 3.0 - 3.6V, with a supply current that varies from 30 - 60µA in suspend mode, 8.7mA when idle, and up to 45mA at its maximum. The SPI clock speed ranges from 0 - 26MHz and it can operate within a temperature range of -40 - +85°C.

Designed with an Arduino R3 footprint, the shield includes a reset button for the Arduino board and switches for power input and on/off functions. It also features a USB-C female connector configured for host applications, with the supply current limited by the power input. The shield's dimensions and design make it a versatile and essential addition to your Arduino toolkit.

For easy setup and use, SparkFun provides a range of documents and resources. These include a schematic, Eagle files, board dimensions, a hookup guide, an Arduino library, a MAX3421E datasheet, and a GitHub Hardware Repo. There is also a tutorial on how to turn any video game controller into a USB mouse, expanding the potential applications of this versatile shield.