MCP2200 Python control utility

mcp2200ctl.py is a small Linux command-line tool for reading and writing the MCP2200 configuration and its 256-byte user EEPROM through the device's HID interface. It implements the 16-byte reports documented in Microchip TB3066 (DS93066A).

Install

No Python package is required for normal Linux use: the utility talks directly to /dev/hidrawN. Optionally, install hidapi if you want its additional USB enumeration metadata:

python3 -m pip install -r requirements.txt

The account running the command must have read/write access to the MCP2200's /dev/hidraw* node. A udev rule is normally the right permanent solution; using sudo is useful only for an initial check.

For example, save this as /etc/udev/rules.d/70-mcp2200.rules on a desktop Fedora system, then unplug/replug the device (or reload udev rules):

SUBSYSTEM=="hidraw", ATTRS{idVendor}=="04d8", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00df", TAG+="uaccess"

The utility first tries HIDAPI and, if its libusb backend cannot claim the composite device's HID interface, automatically falls back to the matching Linux hidraw node.

Use

List devices with the factory IDs:

python3 mcp2200ctl.py list

Read persistent configuration:

python3 mcp2200ctl.py get-config --path /dev/hidraw4

Change only the default UART baud rate and GPIO-direction bitmap, then verify the NVRAM write. 1 means input and 0 means output in --io.

python3 mcp2200ctl.py set-config --path /dev/hidraw4 --baud 115200 --io 0x03 --verify

Read or write one EEPROM byte:

python3 mcp2200ctl.py read-eeprom --path /dev/hidraw4 0x10
python3 mcp2200ctl.py write-eeprom --path /dev/hidraw4 0x10 0x5A --verify
python3 mcp2200ctl.py dump-eeprom --path /dev/hidraw4

dump-eeprom reads all 256 bytes by default. Use --start 0x80 --length 32 to read a smaller range.

Read the instantaneous GPIO states, or change ordinary GPIO output pins without altering persistent configuration:

python3 mcp2200ctl.py get-gpio --path /dev/hidraw4
python3 mcp2200ctl.py set-gpio --path /dev/hidraw4 --set 0x04 --clear 0x08 --readback

--set and --clear are bitmaps (bit 0 is GP0). --value 0xNN is a shortcut to set the complete GPIO output bitmap. Pins configured as inputs or alternate functions do not respond to runtime GPIO writes.

set-config first performs READ_ALL, so omitted options are preserved. The configuration report is stored in NVRAM and takes effect after reset. EEPROM and configuration writes have no acknowledgement report, so use --verify when a write must be confirmed.

Novarq Tactical 1000 profile

Apply the board's MCP2200 pin profile and verify it by reading NVRAM back:

python3 mcp2200ctl.py init-novarq-tactical-1000 --path /dev/hidraw4

This sets GP1 as input and GP0/GP2-GP7 as outputs, assigns GP6/GP7 as RxLED/TxLED, sets GP0's default high and GP2-GP5 defaults low. It sets slow LED blinking, disables hardware flow control and UART/RTS/CTS inversion, and sets the default UART baud rate to nominal 115200 (115384 actual). Both RxLED and TxLED are forced to blink. Reset the MCP2200 after applying it.

The command displays the profile and asks for confirmation before writing. Use --yes only for an intentional non-interactive/programming workflow.

Tactical 1000 boot mode

GP2-GP5 drive the LAN969x VCORE0-VCORE3 boot straps. Set a supported live boot mode, then reset the LAN969x so it samples the new values:

python3 mcp2200ctl.py set-tactical-1000-boot-mode qspi0

Supported named modes are emmc-trace, qspi0-trace, sdcard-trace, emmc, qspi0, sdcard, qspi0-hs-trace, tfa-monitor, tfa-monitor-hs, qspi0-hs, and spi-client. Numeric supported values such as 0x4 are also accepted. The command confirms the selected mode and verifies the GPIO levels before asking you to reset the LAN969x.

Tactical 1000 reset

The board profile uses GP0 as an active-low reset output. Issue a confirmed 100 ms reset pulse with:

python3 mcp2200ctl.py reset-tactical-1000

Use --duration-ms 250 to choose a 1-5000 ms low pulse, or --yes for a deliberate non-interactive reset.

Factory VID/PID (04D8:00DF) are defaults. If the device has custom IDs, pass --vid and --pid; --path is the most explicit selection method.

Bitmap fields

--alt-pins: bit 7 SSPND (GP0), bit 6 USBCFG (GP1), bit 3 RxLED (GP6), bit 2 TxLED (GP7). --alt-options: bit 7 Rx toggle, bit 6 Tx toggle, bit 5 LED slow blink, bit 1 invert UART/RTS/CTS, bit 0 hardware flow control.

Run python3 mcp2200ctl.py --help for the complete CLI reference.