AN721

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Rev. 1.2

6. (Microsoft Windows Only): The customized driver is eligible for WHQL re-seller submissions to certify the

driver. These submissions do not have the high cost and testing requirements of an original driver

submission. To certify a customized VCP or USBXpress driver, register at the WinQual site



https://sysdev.microsoft.com to obtain a WinQual account with your company. Internet Explorer is the only

web browser that can be used with the WHQL website. A Verisign ID is needed to register an account

(instructions for obtaining one are available at Microsoft's website:



http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/hh801887?ppud=4. The correct Verisign ID is

the CodeSigner Standard



http://www.verisign.com/code-signing/microsoft-authenticode/index.html?sl=header.

7. (Microsoft Windows Only): After obtaining a WinQual account, notify the Silicon Labs support team

www.silabs.com/contactsupport to be added as a registered Reseller. Provide the driver type (VCP or

USBXpress) and version (e.g., v6.5) when requesting Reseller status.

8. (Microsoft Windows Only): Silicon Labs will add your company as a registered reseller. Your company

must complete the provided directions to finish the recertification process.

Note: For further detailed instructions on Microsoft’s submission process for recertification for a customized driver please view

the document attached to the KnowledgeBase article called “How to Recertify a Customized Driver Package.pdf” located

here: http://cp-siliconlabs.kb.net/article.aspx?article=89180&p=4120.

2.2. Summary of Steps for Customizing the CP211x HID USB Devices

The CP211x family does not require a driver because it is automatically recognized as part of the HID class, which

simplifies the process. Most operating systems include native drivers. The CP211x will not fit a standard HID

device type such as a keyboard or mouse. Any CP211x PC application will need to use the specific CP211x HID

specification to communicate with it. This low-level HID specification is documented and provided by Silicon Labs

in the form of a DLL.

The following are the steps to follow to customize the CP211x HID USB devices to ensure a unique VID/PID

combination:

1. Request a unique PID from Silicon Labs for a new design: http://www.silabs.com/RequestPID.

2. Use the Device Customization Software program described in Section 3 below to change the descriptors in

the firmware of the device.

2.3. Summary of Steps for Customizing CP2130 USB-to-SPI Devices

The CP2130 family of devices provides communication from USB to SPI. This requires a driver to interface to the

device. In most cases, a generic USB driver, such a Microsoft's WinUSB or the open source libUSB driver, can be

used with the CP2130. All that is required is to generate a proper driver INF file that associates a CP2130 with a

specific USB VID/PID with the generic USB driver. The CP2130 evaluation kit ships with a WinUSB driver and INF

file that includes support for the default CP2130 VID/PID. In order to customize the CP2130, the user must install

this stock driver in order for the CP21xx Customization Software to communicate with the device. Once the

CP2130 has been customized and the VID and/or PID have changed, the user must customize the driver to

recognize the new VID/PID.

The CP2130 data sheet lists WinUSB drivers for various Windows operating systems. The steps described below

must be followed each time a new operating system is to be supported. If the driver has been certified for Windows

7 32-bit and it becomes necessary to support Windows 7 64-bit, then the driver must be recertified. The Microsoft

certification process must be initiated again, and the reseller fee must be paid to Microsoft for the 64-bit version of

the driver. Microsoft requires this certification process, which involves Windows hardware quality labs testing

(WHQL). It certifies that the hardware or software has been tested by Microsoft to ensure compatibility. Device

drivers that pass the WHQL tests are given a digitally-signed certification file, which prevents Windows from

displaying a warning message that the driver has not been certified by Microsoft.

Figure 2 shows the default VID and PID values for the device and drivers. To establish communication with the

driver, the VID and PID of the device must match the driver. Notice that the default CP2130 device VID and PID

match the default WinUSB driver VID and PID numbers.