Test_FTD2XX_NET_Bit​Bang

Demonstration of calling FTDI's FTD2XX_NET.dll BitBang functions from Matlab.

File demonstrates calling directly into the FTD2XX_NET.dll library from Matlab code. FTDI makes USB compatible devices which can make the creation of USB-based electronic instruments much easier. The FTD2XX_NET.dll (downloadable ftdichip.com) is a .Net wrapper for the FTDI D2XX USB device driver programming library. This library eliminates the need for device developers to write custom USB drivers when developing custom instrumentation which interfaces to a PC via the USB ports.

Test_FTD2XX_NET_BitBang.m demonstrates opening the dll, opening a FTDI FT245-based USB device, and setting the device up for BitBang mode. In BitBang mode, the FT245 device functions as an 8-bit parallel I/O port. Modern PCs and laptops do not typically contain such parallel interfaces anymore. Hanging a simple module containing the FTDI FT245 chip, such as the DLP-USB245M, on a PC USB bus can add parallel port I/O capability to your PC which can be useful when controlling or communicating with external hardware.

Via the FTD2XX_NET.dll, Test_FTD2XX_NET_BitBang.m 'bangs' all eight ouput bits of the DLP-USB245M 5 times then quits. The scope displays 'D0' bit waveform.

No .mex files, header files, or other fussing around is necessary as (at least the most recent versions) Matlab user code can directly call into .NET assemblies such as the FTD2XX_NET.dll.