Re: Pic-Kit 3 and Linux?

Noel Henson wrote:
> Ah, the reason for the PIC with the USB IC are the issues with 
> cross-platform USB drivers.

Strongly disagree. It's not that tricky. libusb and WinUSB cover a
lot of ground.

Good descriptors (no, I don't mean HID. Axelson's advice is great if
Windows is the only thing in one's world) and only very little host
code is needed.


> It's much easier for small volume products to put all of the USB
> issues to rest by using a USB-to-serial IC. No firmware issues. No
> extra engineering issues. No wasted host driver development time.

Your choice. I think USB devices deserve more careful thought. It is
almost always possible to make use of USB features in a way that
benefits the application, which is just impossible with a dumb
USB-to-serial chip. And, a discrete chip adds to BOM, size and cost,
only if just very little.

Finally, when USB-to-serial is an absolute must, I suggest Silicon
Labs CP2102 or CP2103, or possibly Prolific PL2303, rather than FTDI
chips. (No, I don't work for them. I've just had too much annoying
trouble with FTDI parts.)

https://www.silabs.com/products/interface/usbtouart/
https://www.silabs.com/Marcom%20Documents/Resources/CP210x_Comparison.pdf
https://www.silabs.com/Support%20Documents/TechnicalDocs/cp2102.pdf
https://www.silabs.com/Support%20Documents/TechnicalDocs/cp2103.pdf


//Peter