Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- busvoodoo [2017/12/07 20:46] – [history] add linebreaks kingkevin
+++ busvoodoo [2017/12/07 21:34] – [alternatives] kingkevin
@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 ==== alternatives ====
+I am not the first one having this problem and creating such a device.
+Probably every hardware hacker comes to the same point and develops his own solution, using parts he is familiar with, and suited for the tasks his is struggling with.
+And there probably never will be a perfect device capable of everything since the needs are different, but a bit of help is always welcome.
+The closest alternative to the BusVoodoo is probably the [[http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Bus_Pirate|Bus Pirate]], and this is actually the device I used for a long time before I decided to make my own because the shortcomings piled up.
+The name BusVoodoo is also inspired from the Bus Pirate and is kind of an homage, and the more I develop the BusVoodoo the more I learn about the Bus Pirate and like it again.
+Advantages of the Bus Pirate over the BusVoodoo:
+  * it is a mature product (v3 is, v4 isn't)
+  * it supports the [[http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Features_overview|most common protocol]]
+  * it is cheap ($30) and readily available
+Advantages of the BusVoodoo over the Bus Pirate:
+  * it uses a native USB interface instead of a USB to UART chip, allowing for greater speeds and to be flashed as other devices (using the clone firmwares). The [[http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Bus_Pirate_v4_design_overview|Bus Pirate v4]] also comes with native USB, but it never reached maturity
+  * it has an adjustable voltage regulator for the pull-up resistors, allowing 1.6-5.0V logic
+  * it supports more protocol in hardware (eMMC, SMBus, I2S, ...)
+  * it also supports other protocols in software
+  * it supports higher voltage/differential protocols (RS-232, RS-485, RS-422, CAN) (not the light version)
+  * no need to always have the [[http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Bus_Pirate_user_interface|Bus Pirate connector description]] at hand as the BusVoodoo shows the pinout within the menu and on the OLED screen (not in the light version)
+  * it comes in a nice and compact case (and some other accessories like USB cable and I/O cable)
+  * it supports CTRL+C and CTRL+D on top of the [[http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Bus_Pirate_user_interface|VT-100]] commands
+  * and probably the most important aspect: it is actively developed and has user support
+The Bus Pirate is not the only alternative though.
+There is also the [[https://greatscottgadgets.com/greatfet/|GreatFET]], supporting high speed protocols, but is more of a development board than a ready to use tool.
+And there is the [[http://datenkrake.org/|Datenkrake]] for even high speed protocols (using an FPGA), but is also more of a development board than a ready to use tool.
+But BusVoodoo will never replace dedicated tools (USB to UART dongle, JTAG adapter, flash programmer, ...) or prevent from using a development board to control all nifty protocol details.
+The BusVoodoo is more of a quick all-in-one first approach tool.
 ==== presentation ====