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USB became very widespread in recent years. We want good and cost efficient solutions (in WebShop) to talk to GenBoard and our other computers from USB hosts (PC, notebook ...).
This requirement is not special, most mobile phones have been doing that for ages. |
| Most notebooks don't have embedded RS232 port now. So USB to RS232 adapter is necessary. |
| * PL2303 is the most common (currently the only type in WebShop) and popular elsewhere too, either "USB to FBUS" (3 V asynchron serial) or "USB to RS232" [PL2303 datasheet] |
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PL2303 is the most common. NEVER USE THE DRIVER CD from the USB-RS232 adapter box. (only as a last chance after you tried everything else without luck, but that should never happen). See ProlificWindowsDriver * The USB-RS232 in WebShop use PL2303 chip ** and the "USB to FBUS" (3 V asynchron serial) also, but that is useless for most users, only useful for developers) . |
| ** windows driver: http://www.prolific.com.tw/support/files//IO%20Cable/PL-2303/Drivers%20-%20Generic/Windows/wd_pl2303h-hx-x_v20019v2021.zip |
| ** The windows driver that is known to be bad for several XP-s: http://BADDRIVERwww.prolific.com.tw/support/files//IO%20Cable/PL-2303/Drivers%20-%20Generic/Windows/wd_pl2303h-hx-x_v20019v2021.zip |
| * There was one USB to RS232 (-/+8V asynchron serial) cable sold earlier that is not PL2303, but ( USB ID="04b4:5500" ), that uses the "CONFIG_USB_SERIAL_CYPRESS_M8" (.config option in mainstreem linux kernel, tried with 2.6.10). Works with win32 as well. [old development info on driver before it was included in mainstream kernel] and [ CY7C63743 datasheet] |
| * There was one USB to RS232 (-/+8V asynchron serial) cable sold earlier (in 2004?) that is not PL2303, but ( USB ID="04b4:5500" ), that uses the "CONFIG_USB_SERIAL_CYPRESS_M8" (.config option in mainstreem linux kernel, tried with 2.6.10). Works with win32 as well. [old development info on driver before it was included in mainstream kernel] and [ CY7C63743 datasheet] |