Converting Serial to USB, what's best?
My BS2 Homework board, with PIC16C57C, uses a RS232 type of connection when its connected to my PC.· I believe its possible to convert to USB, but I don't know if there would be an advantage to that.
What are the advantages or disadvantages in using a USB connection?
I have another microcontroller which would also connect to the PC's serial port, will I be able to disconnect one microcont. from the serial port then connect to, and use, that port with another microcontroller?
If I used one as serial and the other as USB (not at the same time), would that work ?
Thank you
Patrick
What are the advantages or disadvantages in using a USB connection?
I have another microcontroller which would also connect to the PC's serial port, will I be able to disconnect one microcont. from the serial port then connect to, and use, that port with another microcontroller?
If I used one as serial and the other as USB (not at the same time), would that work ?
Thank you
Patrick
Comments
For your application, use the coverter sold by Parallax or one of the known compatibles (they are not all the same!).
The usual reason to use USB is that newer laptops don't have the traditional 9-pin serial port. If your computer has multiple USB ports it is possible to put a converter on each and have them appear simultaneously as COM4, COM5, COM6 or whatever.
Note that each instance of the USB on the PC needs the USB driver for that converter. Don't let Windows install the generic driver....it probably won't work.
Cheers
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Tom Sisk
http://www.siskconsult.com
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What do you mean by your last question?
Thanks for the answers.
What are the advantages or disadvantages in using a USB connection?
Using USB connection you got speed in your work.I don't think there is a disadvantage using USB connection.
Now, RS-232, you can be 'master', 'slave', anything you want. Much more flexible if you want to get away from the PC.
"One disadvantage to using a USB connection -- you MUST have an attached PC or Mac to use it. Because being a USB 'master' is hard. Being a USB 'slave' is easy.
Now, RS-232, you can be 'master', 'slave', anything you want. Much more flexible if you want to get away from the PC"
Does this mean that I couldn't use the BS2 in a remote location, away from the computer, if I would convert the BS2 to USB?
If that's true, then I shall leave it as RS232.
Patrick