MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Abusing the internal USB-port of a kindle touch WiFi

geekmaster · 12-27-2011, 10:38 AM

To connect more than one USB device in place of the missing (or removed) 3G modem, you would also need a USB hub. Much easier to just use ONE large capacity microSDHC card (or perhaps a cheaper full-sized SDHC card).

Here is a miniPCIe pinout:
http://pinouts.ru/Slots/mini_pcie.shtml

Also, I am considered controlling an SDHC card using software SPI protocol, reusing "spare" GPIO pins (or attaching to and controlling the multi-color power LEDs for SPI output pins, and power button for input, and/or other identifiable and controllable GPIO lines as needed). Of course, it would be nicer to use the existing SPI bus, but that may be more difficult to solder to and to control (due to it being shared).

Here is a miniPCIe to USB and SATA breakout board:
http://www.amazon.com/Elecity-Mini-P.../dp/B003SLRU8S
It does NOT supply power to the USB +5v pins, so you need to route that power to USB from elsewhere in the kindle. Some USB devices *might* work on the 4v available from the kindle battery, if a 5v boost converter cannot be found in the kindle. A 256GB SATA SSD would be a nifty add-on.

12-27-2011, 10:38 AM	#2
geekmaster Carpe diem, c'est la vie. Posts: 6,433 Karma: 10773668 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Multiverse 6627A Device: K1 to PW3	To connect more than one USB device in place of the missing (or removed) 3G modem, you would also need a USB hub. Much easier to just use ONE large capacity microSDHC card (or perhaps a cheaper full-sized SDHC card). Here is a miniPCIe pinout: http://pinouts.ru/Slots/mini_pcie.shtml Also, I am considered controlling an SDHC card using software SPI protocol, reusing "spare" GPIO pins (or attaching to and controlling the multi-color power LEDs for SPI output pins, and power button for input, and/or other identifiable and controllable GPIO lines as needed). Of course, it would be nicer to use the existing SPI bus, but that may be more difficult to solder to and to control (due to it being shared). Here is a miniPCIe to USB and SATA breakout board: http://www.amazon.com/Elecity-Mini-P.../dp/B003SLRU8S It does NOT supply power to the USB +5v pins, so you need to route that power to USB from elsewhere in the kindle. Some USB devices might work on the 4v available from the kindle battery, if a 5v boost converter cannot be found in the kindle. A 256GB SATA SSD would be a nifty add-on. Last edited by geekmaster; 03-13-2013 at 10:43 AM.