Serial data to USB

[mister_e]

I'd never ever had any kind of problem 'till now. BUUUUUUUUT, most USB-2-serial may access COM up to 255/255. VB6 original component is usually able to work within COM1:COM15 range. With VB6, So the only kind of limitation is if you can't modify the COM port that your converter use.

You could find some info over the net to modify the VB6 control, or, i'll suggest you to move on newer .Net version (express work great).

In .NET you also could build a list of available COM port in 2-3 code lines.

Now, i use PIC with USB.

[cooksydesign]

Mackrackit, what kind of handshaking is required with the Belkin cable?

My '628A PIC is surface mount, the boards have been made. I think the boards were done before the PIC came out with USB, yep, a few years and I still have some stock.

Many thanks.

Brad

[mister_e]

I'm not Mackrackit, but handshaking is really up to you. You could have DTR line connected to the MCLR and play with it in VB, so your PIC fall in a SerialCom Test or Bootloading procedure for XYZ delay.

I usually use USART interrupt without MCLR.

[mackrackit]

What he said and..

When the serial/usb converter is installed on XP/Vista, you will have a virtual com port number ?? in device manager.

This virtual com port will have all of the settings of a regular com port.

[cooksydesign]

It has occured to me that VB6 does not support USB ports, right?
.NET does?
The PIC end of this has a three pin, 0.100 centers, header; Gnd, transmit, and receive. The end I need to mess with is the PC/VB side.

Thanks again all.

B

[mister_e]

All language support USB, but there's no easy lunch

If you have MicroCodeStudio, you should have a plug-in called EasyHID, this will create your code template for VB6. It will also give you a .DLL called mchid.dll or something like that, which is the core of the template.

A while back, i've posted an example somewhere her called USBDemo. sure enough you will have everything to get you started with it.

I also published here a Template to use VB.NET. Another guy on the net also used it, modified it a little bit and placed it on his website ( http://www.helmpcb.com/Software/USBHIDVB/USBHIDVB.aspx )


I really suggest you to forget the outdated (but still usefull and workable) VB6, move on .NET. VBExpress is free to use.

Jan Axelson's website also have tons of ressource and code template to work with HID devices.

[cooksydesign]

First, thanks for the responses. Very informative.

So, just so I have it straight, I should download MicroCodeStudio for the template for VB6. I also need to get MicroCodeStudio Plus for the 16F628A PIC, the MicroCodeStudio free version only cover 16F628. Is that correct?
I don't think 628A has USB capabilities.

I have a copy of .NET, I looked into the MSCOM part of it once and decided to stay with what I knew for rapid deployment. Now I'm paying for it. I will take your advice to move to .NET under consideration.

I wonder, if plugging in the Belkin cable Mack mentioned earlier, helps the situation at all. Mack??

Regards.

B

[skimask]

It has occured to me that VB6 does not support USB ports, right?
.NET does?
The PIC end of this has a three pin, 0.100 centers, header; Gnd, transmit, and receive. The end I need to mess with is the PC/VB side.
Thanks again all.
B

Ya could go with a CP2102/CP2103 type chip...
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/pro...roducts_id=309
Serial in one side, USB out the other side, virtual COM port on the PC.

[cooksydesign]

I am using PIC Basic Pro, version I am unsure of. It does have USBIN, USBOUT, USBINIT, and USBSERVICES.

I will investigate all your suggestions. Thanks again to all.

B