On Mon, Jan 30, 2006 at 01:54:57PM +0800, Xiaofan Chen wrote: > On 1/30/06, Byron A Jeff wrote: > > So Tait style parallel programmers don't have interfaces to connect to and > > serial programmers cannot be guaranteed the required environment to operate > > properly. > > > > Hence another option is needed if someone is interested in just wiggling some > > pins from their PC just enough to get a part programmed to bootstrap something > > else. > > > > That's the niche that this device (I'm not sure I would want to characterize > > it as a programmer) resides. While USB to serial cables have some issues, TX > > generating a serial signal with proper timing isn't one of them. > > > > If you want USB, PICkit 2 or GTP USB Lite will be a better solution IMHO. Xiaofan, All well covered territory. Suffice it to say that I find utility in having a programmer that can be put together with junk box part. I've built every PIC programmer I've used except for a PS+1 I got 10 years ago for attending a local Mchip event. > Adding the cost of a USB to serial converter to a simple programmer > will bring the cost similar to GTP USB Lite or even PICkit 2. I know quite > some people do have USB to serial converter but other may not have. For > one I do not have any USB to serial converter. Point taken. But a USB to serial converter is a common technology item nowadays. One can drop in the CompUSA or the WalMart and pick one up. They are not single sourced and made of unobtanium. > Take note that GTP USB Lite is very similar to Wisp628A but it is using > USB port to power up the programmer. It will be actually quite cheap to > build. The software is closed source though but the hardware is quite > simple. It supports many PICs and even dsPICs using WinPIC800. > > http://www.hobbypic.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=34 Yes but it's just as subject to the chicken and egg problem as everything else as it uses an 18F2550 as an interface. That's why I'm trying to get away from the concept of this being a programmer. I agree we don't really need another programmer. However I do believe that we need a replacement for the venerable parallel and serial port programmers that could program a chip without having to have programmed chips to do the job. I believe there is still a niche for bootstrapping hardware, and especially simple bootstrapping hardware that one can piece together from junkbox parts in a short period of time. BAJ -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist