----- Original Message ----- From: "Jan-Erik Soderholm" Subject: RE: [PIC:] Why programmers use PICs as controllers? A little more detail > Works on newer PCs (without serial ports). Programming a PIC with the serial port only actually uses the serial port in a way in which it was not intended. As a result, USB to serial converters don't work for programming when the programmer doesn't include its own intelligence. Although the problem is somewhat simpler with parallel ports, parallel ports are also getting scarce. Even if you don't use USB, having intelligence onboard means you can use the serial port as a serial port, which means you can use "normal" Windows software, and don't have to play all sort of "tricks", and USB to serial converters work for machines with no serial port. > Easier to use on newer Windows versions. I would argue with this one. Accessing the serial port on newer Windows versions is a real pain for the developer of the PIC programming software. But to date, installing USB software is often a real pain for users of that software. Go read Microchip's ICD2 forum. A huge fraction of those threads are about people battling the installation of the USB software. I suppose if you use serial with an onboard PIC avoids these issues, you now expect many users to use a USB to serial converter. > Easier to use on "other" operating systems. I have no data, although again, using a serial port as a serial port has to be easier for the developer of the programming software. I see no reason for it to be easier for the user of that software. > Better control of the programming voltages. Microchip suggests that you verify the result at several voltages. If the programmer has no onboard intelligence, there really isn't a realistic way of doing this with a serial port. There simply aren't enough lines. I could imagine doing this with a parallel port, but it would be a major pain. Putting some intelligence in the programmer opens up all sorts of options, and since we are programming a PIC, a PIC is an obvious way to get that intelligence. --McD -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist