Olimex Support Forum

OLinuXino Android / Linux boards and System On Modules => A64 => Topic started by: frm on November 25, 2025, 12:51:07 PM

Title: Use USB OTG in host mode
Post by: frm on November 25, 2025, 12:51:07 PM
Hi,
Can I change the configuration of the microUSB OTG in my OLinuxino A64 to use it in "host mode" instead of "pheripheral mode" ?

I only found this post https://www.olimex.com/forum/index.php?topic=4990.0 which mentions a FEX file somewhere... and it's dated 2016

Thanks
Title: Re: Use USB OTG in host mode
Post by: LubOlimex on November 26, 2025, 09:18:28 AM
Hardware-wise it is possible since there is USB0-ID wire/signal. So the port supports both device and host mode, it is real OTG.

Software-wise I don't think the Olimage image supports it, so some changes to the image are required.

The info you found applies to older sunxi-based images, that used fex files, it does not apply to the Olimage Linux which uses mainline. You'd have to edit dts/dtb. Refer to the Olimage guide, there is info on how to change dts/dtb or kernel:

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/OLIMEX/OLINUXINO/master/DOCUMENTS/OLIMAGE/Olimage-guide.pdf
Title: Re: Use USB OTG in host mode
Post by: frm on November 28, 2025, 12:04:38 AM
Quote from: LubOlimex on November 26, 2025, 09:18:28 AMSoftware-wise I don't think the Olimage image supports it, so some changes to the image are required.

This is really a pity. Right now I don't want to go through the lengthy process of rebuilding the kernel and the image myself, so I'll just use a basic USB hub to expand the single USB host port. It makes the whole setup much less compact thought :-(

Thanks