How to use 4D Labs micro-DRIVE microSD OEM module to store up to 2GB of data fr

Paul Ring

If you need to store data or to log from your program your options are _very_ limited. You could store to the built in EEPROM memory in the Javelin Stamp module but you should not consider this as an option specially when you need to write data often or -whatever- you want to store requires space. You can use Peter Verkaiks file system but that will cost you a lot of program space and also you will be limited in how much data you can store. Using 4D Labs micro-DRIVE module you can use a microSD card (up to 2GB) to store your data. You can insert this card into a computer using a microSD adapter and you will access the data you have created from Javelin or you can also do it the other way around - Javelin can read the files you have created on your computer and stored on the microSD card.

To purchase the micro-DRIVE module visit SparkFun home page and search for DEV-08567. Direct link to the product is www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8567

Attached to this post you will find:

• uDRIVE-uSD-G1-DS-rev2.pdf - contains the hardware documentation of the micro-DRIVE module
• GOLDELOX-DOS-COMMANDS-SIS.pdf - how to communicate with the module
• how_to_connect.jpg - recommended hardware connection
• Javelin.zip - source code and test program

You will need to unpack the Javelin.zip file and add the contents of the lib to the same location where you have installed the Javelin dev environment on your computer, usually C:\Program Files\Parallax Inc\Javelin Stamp IDE\lib.

The test program is in the Projects\micro-DRIVE folder.
The library Int32Simple.java is a very striped version of the Int32 class designed in order to minimize the memory usage. Please feel free to use Int32 if you like to.

If you have any suggestions to how to improve the MicroDrive driver please feel to contribute but do not forget to upload the new version to this post.

/Paul

Peter Verkaik

Thanks Paul.
Much appreciated.
Nice addition/alternative to the Vinculum Datalogger.


regards peter