I have also seen a USB to Serial interface chip, don't have the part number handy at this moment, but we have used it with success.

-----Original Message-----
From: Brent Brown [mailto:brent.brown@CLEAR.NET.NZ]
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 4:58 PM
To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
Subject: Re: [PIC]: Adding USB to PIC project?


> I understand that there are no PICs with USB that are
> FLASH-programmable, so I'm trying to figure out what my options are
> with respect to adding USB to my project.  I would like to be able to
> program the FLASH-programmable PIC in my project via USB (basically to
> allow customers to upgrade the firmware) and to be able to dump config
> data for the software app between my box and a PC/Mac over USB.  Are
> there any affordable solutions?

I have thought about this but have not actually done it yet. In
saying that I'm pretty confident that it will work OK.

Use a PIC16F87x part, program it with your favourite bootloader that
uses the internal UART. Instead of the typical MAX232 converter chip
and D9 connector fit a FTDI FT232 USB UART chip and USB connector.
Load the FTDI virtual COM port driver on your PC. Now your PC and PIC
think they are talking to each other over a standard serial
connection. With a bit of luck your favourite bootloader program will
still work (only thing that could possibly affect it is the delays
introduced by the FT232, especially for small packets of data).

PS. I added the [PIC]: tag for the subject.

--
Brent Brown, Electronic Design Solutions
16 English Street, Hamilton, New Zealand
Ph/fax: +64 7 849 0069
Mobile/txt: 025 334 069
eMail:  brent.brown@clear.net.nz

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