David,

Most FTDI devices (FT232RL, for sure) have general purpose I/O lines that 
you can use for your application.

Best regards,

Vitaliy



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Duffy (AVD)" <david@audiovisualdevices.com.au>
To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." <piclist@mit.edu>
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 23:47
Subject: [EE] USB to contact closure


>I have an application where a PC needs to trigger another device via a
> contact closure. The current PCs have serial, parallel and USB ports
> available, but in future one may only have USB.
>
> My first thought was an FT232 USB-serial chip and a small micro driving
> a reed relay, but I'm trying to simplify the design and get the cost
> down as there's potentially 1000 or so units to deploy.
>
> I've never delved into "USB on a PIC" so don't know how easy it is. Also
> bear in mind I have no C language experience.
>
> My other thought was to keep the FT232 and ditch the PIC, simply using
> one of the serial control lines to trigger the relay.
>
> The consequence of erroneously activating the relay during PC powering
> up is not too much of a problem. (I have to confirm this)
>
> Does anyone else have any ideas?
> David...
>
> -- 
> ___________________________________________
> David Duffy        Audio Visual Devices P/L
> Unit 8, 10 Hook St, Capalaba 4157 Australia
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> Our Web Site: www.audiovisualdevices.com.au
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