See our research: USB-Stick as development systems

Official tools

From USB.org, such as USB Command Verifier, USB Electrical Analysis Tool, USB test suites

Some useful tools from Intel, such as driver selector, bandwidth load, registry editor.

MSDN WDK (Windows Driver Kit)

Linux USB tool

If you are going to develop an easy FTDI project, order one from FTDIChip.

If you don't have the resources to prototype a pcb then using DLP designs DLP-USB245M usb adapter is a good way to start learning about USB. The folowing reference project that I implemented shows how to provide a simple usb interface to a microcontroller, microprocesor, or fpga with minimal usb knowledge. The following table shows the pin out of the USB to FIFO Parallel interface module (DLP-USB245M), this module provides an easy implementation of a USB port. The designer does not have to pay close attention to the USB protocols or worry about having to write any complicated device drivers for the hardware, as they are provided royalty free from FTDI. The FT245BM comes in a 0.6-inch DIP package, which is compact and can be easily interfaced using a standard 24-way integrated circuit socket. It is a very low cost module at about $25.

Protocol Analyzer and Debug

CATC bus and protocol analyzer, acquired by LeCroy.

Hitex makes a USB protocol analyzer called USB agent.

Protocol Tools is the online test, measurement and connectivity web site of Gillaspy Associates a leading organization providing protocol analyzers, physical layer switches, fiber optic cables, protocol test tools, and professional protocol training.

USBTrace is an easy to use and powerful USB analyzer. USBTrace can monitor USB transactions at host controllers, hubs and devices. This is a 100% software product. USBTrace supports Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003 Server and Windows Vista operating systems and works with USB 1.x and 2.0 (low, full and high speed) host controllers, hubs and devices.

Advanced USB Port Monitor 2.3.0.12
A USB Bus, Device and Protocol Analyzer with the robust functionality to capture and process USB traffic. It offers sophisticated viewing and searching to accurately and efficiently debug and test USB devices.

Beagle USB 480 Protocol Analyzer

LeCroy has over five generations of USB development tools and offers a wide selection of analyzers with varying capabilities and features.

Ellisys is a Test & Measurement company committed to the design and timely introduction of advanced protocol analyzers for USB, Certified Wireless USB and WiMedia Ultrawideband.

Software development

Jungo-WinDriver Development Kit and USB Tester, free download for 30 days trial. Enabling driver development for Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/XP Embedded/Server 2003/Vista, Windows CE.NET, Windows Mobile 6.0, Linux, Solaris and VxWorks. No DDK knowledge, or kernel-level development is required!

Programming and Testing

FTDI collects many tools from Microsoft, USB.org, Linux, FreeBSD.

HIDView This program, only works for HID class, found in the USBCheck, is now obsolete.

Application note

Many application notes for FT245, FT232, FT2232. Includes an application note for using the bit-bang mode.

The Maxim website is good resource for USB Transcievers, peripherals and more. Samples are available upon request. The Maxim newsletter is also an excellent source of information for the USB developer.

National semiconductors small thinking, app notes and more

STMicroelectronics has everything for a USB developer, many solutions for implementing high-speed, full-speed and low-speed USB peripherals. One of the market leaders rely on ST's microcontrollers to power their USB products. Products include 20- to 64-pin packages and featuring 4K to 32K bytes of program memory.

Freescale have a range of USB microcontrollers and USB IC's. The application notes are a great resources for learning their products. Embedded connectivity is very mportant to designers and is a requirement for most new generation electronics products. Larger and more complex files require connectivity options that enable the end user to upload and download files quickly and easily. Engineers need an affordable, flexible connectivity option to satisfy a wide range of applications. Selecting a microcontroller (MCU) with Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectivity on-chip is an ideal solution for adding connectivity to a system while saving cost, board size and parts count.

The NXP website has many application notes, click on the screenshot tp gp to the index of all their application notes. Some of the application notes include using the TDA8030 as a USB to smartcard reader, designing a high speed USB PCI adapter, compare high speed and full speed USB energy efficiency, and much more.

Application Notes for USBXpress, Mass Storage, Human Interface and firmware development.

Application notes for ATMEL AVR/8051 based USB microcontrollers design.

Renesas offers many reference design for USB products, from standard USB controller and ASSP, also a lot of application notes.

AMD embedded x86 processor with USB application notes.

Sanyo application notes for 8bit LC87 USB micros.

Fujitsu offers USB application notes for 16bit microcontrollers.

Moschip offers application notes and reference design for connectivity including USB.

Cypress USB products related application notes and reference design.

Texas Instrument USB products related application notes and reference design.

Read more:
http://dev.emcelettronica.com/usb-silicon-manufactures
http://dev.emcelettronica.com/usb
http://dev.emcelettronica.com/usb-projects
http://dev.emcelettronica.com/usb-news
http://dev.emcelettronica.com/usb-host-software-development
http://dev.emcelettronica.com/usb-resources-slides