USB Insight Hub Is the Ultimate Desktop Tool for Monitoring USB Devices

This unique tool from David Santana of Aerio Solutions SAS functions as a traditional three-port USB 3.0 hub. However, the USB Insight Hub goes a step further by conveniently monitoring power consumption and saving time by displaying helpful enumeration data like drive letters or serial (COM/TTY) port names of attached USB devices.

The USB Insight Hub's most striking feature is its three high-quality 1.3-inch TFTs. These bright 240 x 240 pixel IPS displays are large enough to provide clear and detailed information about the three USB 3.0 downstream ports, even from a distance — like across the lab.

The metadata shown on the TFTs comes from a companion application running on the host PC. It communicates information about the devices to the USB Insight Hub's ESP32-S2 microcontroller connected to the displays. This architecture means the displays can show useful information, such as a USB device's drive letter, mount point, or COM (USB CDC) port identifier, along with power consumption data.

A Microchip PA1943 Triple DC Power Monitor IC provides measurements on the +5V rail and a sense resistor for current consumption on each USB-A 3.0 port. This monitor chip also has user-programmable limits for over/under voltage and over/under current, providing an interrupt signal to USB Insight Hub's primary microcontroller. This functionality means the user can set up some protections without the hassle of connecting a bench power supply when working with sensitive USB devices.

Despite the USB Insight Hub's inclusion of an ESP32-S2 SoC, it does not use Wi-Fi! Fortunately, its open-source nature leaves room for potential future enhancements by Santana or an aspiring user.

The crisp displays complement the clever use of PCB materials to create a compact enclosure with a distinctive appearance. The top PCB contains the TFTs, power/data switches for each port and a USB32-S2 that functions as the main microcontroller. The user interface board connects to the bottom board, which houses the USB ports, a Renesas uPD720210 hub controller, the PAC1943 power meter, channel control blocks, and an STMicroelectronics STM8 acting as an IO expander.

Aerio Solutions plans to open-source the hardware schematics and firmware before the Crowd Supply campaign begins. For more information, check out the USB Insight Hub product page on Crowd Supply. There, you can sign up for notifications when the pre-sales campaign begins.