VENDLINK USB – MDB, ccTalk and pulse to USB converter

Multi-protocol gateway for payment peripherals

VENDLINK USB brings different communication technologies together in a single device.

The unit handles the protocol specific to each peripheral locally and presents a common USB interface to the host system, removing the complexity of implementing every protocol directly in the customer application.

The architecture supports:

1. MDB
2. USB

1. ccTalk
2. USB

1. Pulses
2. USB

In this way, different payment technologies can be integrated on one and the same hardware platform.

MDB Master

The device provides MDB Master functionality, allowing it to control peripherals compliant with the MDB standard widely used in vending machines.

Through this interface, devices such as coin changers, bill validators, cashless readers and other MDB peripherals can be integrated.

The ARM processor manages data exchange with the devices and gives the customer application access to the relevant events and states over USB.

ccTalk interface

VENDLINK USB includes a ccTalk interface for communicating with compatible cash-handling peripherals and payment systems.

This interface allows devices such as coin validators, bill validators, hoppers, readers and other ccTalk peripherals to be integrated.

Protocol handling takes place internally, so the main application does not have to implement every communication detail for each device.

Interface for pulse devices

In addition to MDB and ccTalk, the unit can integrate coin mechanisms and other devices based on pulse signals.

The electronics interpret the incoming pulses and convert them into events that the application can process via the USB interface.

This makes it easy to integrate modern peripherals as well as simpler devices or legacy systems.

USB interface for fast integration

Communication with the end application takes place over USB, providing a simple interface between the payment system and the customer's PC, controller or main electronics.

The aim is to cut the time needed to integrate different payment peripherals by providing a common communication layer, regardless of the technology used by the connected device.

This architecture is particularly useful for manufacturers that need to support different payment configurations with a single application.

ARM architecture

The device uses an ARM processor that simultaneously handles MDB and ccTalk communications, pulse signals and the USB interface.

Local processing interprets the different protocols, tracks peripheral states and converts the information into a common format for the main application.

FreeRTOS

The firmware is based on FreeRTOS, so the different communication channels and protocols can be managed concurrently.

Peripheral communication, event processing and USB management tasks run independently, giving a robust architecture suited to systems that must remain in continuous operation.

Simpler development of vending applications

One of the main advantages of VENDLINK USB is that it reduces the complexity of integrating different payment systems.

Instead of implementing each interface individually:

1. Coin changer / Bill validator / Cashless / Hopper
2. MDB, ccTalk or pulses
3. VENDLINK USB
4. USB
5. Customer application

The converter thus acts as an intermediary between the vending-specific hardware and the application software.

This makes development, maintenance and evolution easier in systems that may use payment equipment from different manufacturers or based on different technologies.

Technical specifications