The Arduino USB Host Shield is a versatile board designed to provide USB interface capabilities to Arduino boards, allowing seamless connectivity with various USB devices. With the ability to stack multiple USB devices onto an Arduino, this shield opens up possibilities for connecting keyboards, mice, Bluetooth dongles, barcode readers, and even smartphones.

The key component onboard is the MAX3421, serving as a USB host/SPI converter IC. The shield is compatible with both Arduino Uno and Mega, offering a 5V/3.3V selection feature that enables use with 3.3V boards.

Note: The shield's VBUS power and power selection components are not yet soldered.

Specifications:

• Works with standard (dual 5/3.3V) and 3.3V-only boards (e.g., Arduino Pro).
• Operates over an extended temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.
• Complies with USB Specification Revision 2.0 (Full-Speed 12Mbps Peripheral, Full-/Low-Speed 12Mbps/1.5Mbps Host).

Supported Devices:

• HID Devices: Keyboard, mouse, joystick.
• Game Pads: PS3, PS4, XBOX360, Wii, etc.
• USB-Serial Converters: FTDI, PL-2303, GPS, etc.
• ADK Android Phones and Tablets.
• Digital Cameras: Canon EOS, Powershot, Nikon DSLR, and P&S.
• Storage Devices: USB Memory, SD card reader, hard disk.
• Bluetooth Dongles.

Compatible with Arduino Boards:

• Arduino Uno 328.
• Arduino Diecimila / Duemilanove 328.
• Arduino Mega 2560 (recommended).
• Arduino Mega 1280.

To enable Arduino USB HOST function, communication with other USB devices is supported, and USB HUB function is also provided.

Pinout Clarification:

1. Power Select: 2 solder jumpers for 5V and 3.3V power configurations.
2. Power Pins: Connect to Arduino board power pins (RESET, 3.3V, 5V, and GROUND).
3. Analog Pins: Unused by the shield; provided for convenience.
4. GPIN Pins: Eight 3.3V general-purpose digital input pins of MAX3421E.
5. ICSP Connector: Used for SPI interface data transfer.
6. GPOUT Pins: Eight 3.3V general-purpose digital output pins of MAX3421E.
7. Digital I/O Pins 0-7: Unused by the shield.
8. Digital I/O Pins 8-13: Default configuration uses pins 9 and 10 for INT and SS signals.
9. MAX3421E Interface Pads: Used for shield modifications and expansion.
10. VBUS Power Pad: Used in advanced power configurations.

Arduino Library for USB Host Shield 2.0:

• Download Here