gnupic: Re: [gnupic] Pic-Kit 3 and Linux?
Subject:
Re: [gnupic] Pic-Kit 3 and Linux?
From:
Peter Stuge ####@####.####
Date:
8 Oct 2009 17:11:08 -0000
Message-Id: <20091008171105.30998.qmail@stuge.se>
Noel Henson wrote:
> Ah, the reason for the PIC with the USB IC are the issues with
> cross-platform USB drivers.
Strongly disagree. It's not that tricky. libusb and WinUSB cover a
lot of ground.
Good descriptors (no, I don't mean HID. Axelson's advice is great if
Windows is the only thing in one's world) and only very little host
code is needed.
> It's much easier for small volume products to put all of the USB
> issues to rest by using a USB-to-serial IC. No firmware issues. No
> extra engineering issues. No wasted host driver development time.
Your choice. I think USB devices deserve more careful thought. It is
almost always possible to make use of USB features in a way that
benefits the application, which is just impossible with a dumb
USB-to-serial chip. And, a discrete chip adds to BOM, size and cost,
only if just very little.
Finally, when USB-to-serial is an absolute must, I suggest Silicon
Labs CP2102 or CP2103, or possibly Prolific PL2303, rather than FTDI
chips. (No, I don't work for them. I've just had too much annoying
trouble with FTDI parts.)
https://www.silabs.com/products/interface/usbtouart/
https://www.silabs.com/Marcom%20Documents/Resources/CP210x_Comparison.pdf
https://www.silabs.com/Support%20Documents/TechnicalDocs/cp2102.pdf
https://www.silabs.com/Support%20Documents/TechnicalDocs/cp2103.pdf
//Peter
