FTDI offers designs for Android accessory interfaces

Future Technology Devices International (FTDI) has said it will support the Android Open Accessories initiative, which incorporates designers of tablets and smartphones based on Google’s operating system.

"The company will provide support for the initiative in both the Vinculum II dual USB host/device controller IC and the low cost Vinco development board product offerings,” said FTDI CEO and founder Fred Dart. We expect this to have a major impact on the way engineers carry out future development projects,” said Dart.

FTDI will provide the Android support as part of its Arduino-inspired Vinco platform for the development of USB 2.0 connected embedded systems.

A feature of the platforms is the integration of a host controller which can be used to implement Android Open AccessoriesAs Vinco incorporates USB host controller functionality, it totally eliminates the need for any secondary host controller hardware to be added, thereby dramatically shortening the development process and reducing the bill of materials," said Dart.