MCD Elektronik USB HUB 3.0 8-PORT User manual

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MCD Elektronik GmbH
Hoheneichstr. 52
75217 Birkenfeld
Fon +49 (0) 72 31/78 405-0
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
www.mcd-elektronik.com
HQ : Birkenfeld
Managing CEO: Bruno Hörter
Register Court Mannheim
HRB 505692
Template version: 4.0 / 2017-01-25 V1.5 2017-06-30 / MR
Manual
USB hub 3.0 8-Port

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Table of Contents
1. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ..................................................................................................................................................4
2. GENERAL........................................................................................................................................................................4
3. SCOPE OF DELIVERY .......................................................................................................................................................4
4. CONNECTION AND INSTALLATION .................................................................................................................................5
4.1. CONNECTING THE HARDWARE ..............................................................................................................................................5
4.2. INSTALLING DRIVERS ...........................................................................................................................................................6
4.3. INSTALLING TOOLMONITOR USB HUB8..................................................................................................................................6
5. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................................7
5.1. PROPERTIES ......................................................................................................................................................................7
5.2. INTERNAL CONFIGURATION .................................................................................................................................................8
5.3. INDICATORS ......................................................................................................................................................................8
5.4. PUSHBUTTON....................................................................................................................................................................8
6. FUNCTION OF THE USB-PORTS.......................................................................................................................................9
6.1. OPERATION MODE ............................................................................................................................................................9
6.2. ATTACH DETECTION ...........................................................................................................................................................9
6.3. CURRENT MEASUREMENT..................................................................................................................................................10
6.4. CURRENT LIMITING...........................................................................................................................................................10
6.5. HOST NOTIFICATION ........................................................................................................................................................10
6.6. USB CONNECTIVITY..........................................................................................................................................................10
7. FUNCTION OF THE RELAY MULTIPLEXER ......................................................................................................................11
8. FUNCTION OF THE HUB................................................................................................................................................ 12
8.1. CONTROL INPUT ..............................................................................................................................................................12
8.2. STARTUP BEHAVIOR .........................................................................................................................................................12
8.3. STANDBY MODE BEHAVIOR ...............................................................................................................................................12
8.4. AFTER STANDBY MODE BEHAVIOR......................................................................................................................................12
8.5. PUSHBUTTON LOCK..........................................................................................................................................................12
8.1. STORING OF THE CONFIGURATIONS .....................................................................................................................................13
8.2. IDENTIFICATION NUMBER..................................................................................................................................................13
8.3. RESET............................................................................................................................................................................13
9. SOFTWARE MANUAL ...................................................................................................................................................14
9.1. PROGRAMMING INTERFACE ...............................................................................................................................................14
9.2. PROGRAM SETTINGS.........................................................................................................................................................15

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9.3. USB HUB CONFIGURATION ................................................................................................................................................16
9.4. USB HUB COMMAND LINE .................................................................................................................................................17
10. TECHNICAL DATA..................................................................................................................................................... 19
11. INTERFACE DESCRIPTION......................................................................................................................................... 20

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1. Safety Instructions
The USB hub 3.0 8-Port is intended for indoor use only. It must not be exposed to moisture. If the unit is moved
from a cold to a warm environment, it must remain untouched and unplugged from all power cords and other
cables for at least one hour so that all condensation moisture can dry up.
The unit contains no user serviceable parts. A possible repair must be produced by a trained professional. Before
opening the housing, the plug must be pulled out and left alone for about a minute before being serviced.
2. General
This USB hub provides eight USB 3.0 downstream ports, which can be switched on and off individually via USB.
When switching off the supply voltage (+5 V) and the data lines are separated by a semiconductor switch. Control
is via the Toolmonitor USB hub8 (PC software). Whichever ports are active or not after switching on, can be
configured and saved.
Each USB port can be configured as a standard default port (SDP), charge-capable line (CDP), or as a charger
connection (DCP) and provides the connected device up to 2.5A.
The USB 3.0 host connection is also used to control the hub. Alternatively there is the choice to control the hub
via the additional USB 2.0 connector at the back side.
In addition to the USB ports of the USB hub, an 8 -channel relay multiplexer, with a centrally supplied voltage
(max. 30V ) is available individually on each port and can be independently turned on and off , e.g. device supply
with a voltage other than 5V . The input connection is made via binding posts on the back side while the output
connection is made via 4mm banana plugs on the front side.
Whichever ports are to be active or not after switching on the hubs (for example, to have access to the mouse or
keyboard), can be stored in a non-volatile memory.
Via a button on the device, one can temporarily shut down all ports or restore the previous switching state of all
ports. A storable device number helps to distinguish among multiple USB hubs 3.0 8-port on one PC.
The Toolmonitor USB hub8 can be completely remote controlled via third party software. Acting as an interface
in this case is a COM / DCOM or a .Net - Assembly. This allows the Toolmonitor USB hub8 to be integrated in a
variety of applications (MCD TestManager CE , LabView ® , Microsoft Visual Studio ® (C #, C + +, Visual Basic) ,
Microsoft Office ® (Excel ®) , OpenOffice ®). For the use on Linux, this USB hub 3.0 8-Port is recommended.
Control via virtual serial interface is also possible.
Order number: # 122204
3. Scope of delivery
1x USB hub 3.0 8-Port
1x USB storage card with installation software
1x USB 3.0 connection cable 2m
1x power cord 1.8m

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4. Connection and installation
4.1. Connecting the hardware
The USB hub 3.0 8-Port can be powered at an 110V or 230V power grid. When turning on the device with the
power switch on the back, the front left button lights up. In the default state of the device, all relays are turned
on and all USB ports are off, as indicated by the respective signal LEDs. The startup behavior can be changed
later.
Front side of the USB hub:
Connecting USB hub to the PC:
90 –132 VAC
or
187 –264 VAC
47 –63Hz
USB 3.0 cable or USB 2.0 / Type AB
USB 2.0 cable / Type AB
(optional)
Power Input Relay Multiplexer
Stand-by Button

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4.2. Installing drivers
Connect USB hub 3.0 8-Port to an free USB port and switch it on at the backside. The actual Hub will be found
and drivers installed by Windows. For the control component an additional driver is needed. For this you have
following options:
1) With internet access Windows will automatically download and install the driver.
2) You can also download the driver from another PC from http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm.
For simple installation please choose 'setup executable'.
3) If you got the ”MCD USBHub8Monitor”, then the driver is in the sub directory “USB Driver”of the
installation folder. The default installation directory is:
<drive name>:\MCD Elektronik GmbH\MCD USBHub8Monitor\USB Driver
4.3. Installing Toolmonitor USB hub8
The USB hub 3.0 8-Port can be completely controlled by text commandos (see chapter 11 on p. 20). Optionally
the Toolmonitor USB hub8 can be installed as graphical user interface as well as an interface for other
applications. For this, execute the ”USBHub8Install” installer (EXE- or MSI file) and follow the installation dialog.
After successful installation the Toolmonitor can be started via the Launchpad.
In the menu Setup Register COM Server the Toolmonitor can be registered and can then be controlled
remotely by other applications.

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5. Introduction
5.1. Properties
Relay multiplexer
8 channels DPST, separately switchable
Up to 30VDC / 5A per channel resistive load
Each channel is provided with a resettable overcurrent protection
Indications for channel on, of or overcurrent
USB-Downstream ports
8 Ports, separately switchable; up to 2.5A per port
Each port is provided with a resettable overcurrent protection
Adjustable overcurrent protection
Protection of connected devices by customized overcurrent limits.
Configurable charger emulation for many mobile devices (z. B. CDP, DCP, …)
An automatic mode applies several charging profiles in order to find a fitting profile.
Detection when a device is plugged in
Also detects non USB devices (for example USB ventilator, reading lamp and so on)
Current measurement for each port (resolution app. 10mA)
Detection of faults (such as current consumption too high or too low).
Measurement of current consumption of connected devices
Indicators for port on / off /overcurrent / charging / charging complete / no device connected
Operating status is always visible
USB-Upstream port (Host)
Control via USB hub Connection or USB Control Connection
Hub functionality and controlling the hub over a single connection
Makes it possible to connect the hub to an embedded device as a host (for example a multimedia
device) and control the hub via another host (for example a PC)
Host notification can be switched off on a port by port basis
An USB port can automatically be reactivated after an overcurrent event user intervention
Push Button
Indicates current operating status: On / Standby
Switches earlier defined or all USB ports and relay channels off
Possible functionality of a manual Emergency Off
Switches off specific devices while, for example, mouse and keyboard stay active
Other
Operation on power up (for example active USB ports and relay channels) can be defined and saved.
With the right configuration the hub can function as a stand-alone charging device without any USB
host whatsoever
Customized and defined operating state after power up
User defined tagging of the hub to differentiate several hubs at one PC

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5.2. Internal configuration
5.3. Indicators
Relay off
Relay on
Relay off with overcurrent event (fast blinking)
USB-Port off
USB-Port on, but no device is connected
USB-Port on
Indicators of USB-Ports configured as charging ports are dimmed when the charging has finished.
5.4. Pushbutton
Device off
In Stand-by mode (depending on production batch: illuminated red or blinking green)
In Operation mode
Hub Hub
Port 1 - 4Port 5 - 8
Hub In
Mux 1 - 8
Control
HubMux 2:1
Ctrl In

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6. Function of the USB-Ports
6.1. Operation Mode
The USB hub provides eight super-speed capable USB 3.0 ports. Each port can be placed in one of four
modes. These four modes are:
1. Standard port (SDP):
If the maximum current is exceeded, the port is turned off.
2. Charging capable port (CDP):
Like the Standard port, but is detectible as a loading enabled USB port on the connected USB device
according to USB Battery Charging Specification V1.2 (USB-IF BC1.2 CDP).
The current is limited to the configured value.
3. Dedicated Charging Port (DCP BC1.2)
The port is detectible as a dedicated charger connected USB device according to USB Battery Charging
Specification V1.2 (USB-IF BC1.2 DCP).The current is limited to the configured value.
In this mode, USB communication with the connected device is not possible!
4. Charger Emulation Port
The port reconciles with the connected device on a charging protocol. In addition, different variants are
tested sequentially, including BC1.2 DCP, YD/T-1591 (2009) as well as compatibles with many portable
devices from Apple ® and RIM ®. The current is limited to the configured value.
In this mode, USB communication with the connected device is not possible!
DCP-Ports no longer appear in the device manager of Windows. But they can be active even without a
connected host.
Because of the variety - even custom specific - charging schemes, there can be no assurance that the
battery charge is achieved with a particular mobile unit and no damage will occur!
6.2. Attach Detection
The USB ports have a feature to detect when a USB device is attached. This also works for attached devices
using only the power from the port (e.g. USB fans, or reading lamps). The attach detection can be switched
off individually for each port, if the small testing current should lead to unexpected problems.
In the CDP mode it is possible that the connection of such a device is recognized, but its removal is
undetected. But this has no effect on the other functions of the USB hub. The connection of a normal USB
device or the switching on and off of the port resets the attach detection.

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6.3. Current measurement
The output current of each USB port can be measured with a resolution of app. 10mA. This makes it possible
to measure and monitor the current consumption or charging current of each connected device.
6.4. Current limiting
The current limit for each port can be configured in steps from 500mA up to 2500mA for each port
separately. Principally, the configuration of the current limit is independent of the operation mode of the
port. However, these are the recommended current limits for the several modes:
Operation mode
Current limit
Standard port (SDP)
900mA –1000mA
Charging data port (CDP)
1500mA –1800mA
Dedicated charging port (DCP BC 1.2)
2000mA –2500mA
Charger Emulation Port
2000mA –2500mA
Most USB connectors are rated for currents of 1500mA to 1900mA. Because of this, the current should
not be higher than 2000mA.
6.5. Host Notification
If the current limit is tripped, the Operating System is notified about this event. The Port is then switched off
and user action in the OS is required to switch the port back on. This might be undesirable behavior in
automated systems. Because of this the host notification can be turned off on a port by port basis. To switch
a port without host notification back on, the concerned port has to be purposefully switched off and back
on.
The reaction of the OS to an overcurrent event may vary depending on the OS, it’ s version and the used
hub driver.
6.6. USB connectivity
The USB connectivity for each device as well to the host can be identified to differentiate between a
USB 3.0 Super-Speed connection and a USB 2.0 High-Speed / Full Speed / Low-Speed connection.