USB suggestions

[Guest]

Hello all -

I wish to get USB-aware and would like suggestions. I generally use PIC (flash) micros to do all sorts of stuff, and then use LCDs, LEDs or RS-232 (to a PC) when I need to display something the micro is doing, measuring, etc.

So now I would like to replace the RS-232 side of things with USB, mainly due to the decreasing number of laptops and PCs that have COM ports. I also would like to use the same tools I have been using - ICD, PCM compiler, and the flash-based PICs, like the 16F877.

Therefore, I would like any suggestions on what USB device to use betwen the laptop's USB port and the PIC micro. Philips and National seem to the most popular, but is there any reason to choose one over the other, or even another brand?

Thank you!
Bill

[Mark]

Sounds like the FTDI chip is what you need. They have virtual serial port drivers so that the USB data looks as though it came from a serial port.

[alexz]

The question is, if you do use this chip, will you be able to have your own product/company desciptor? Or you will have the FTDI's one?
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Alex