Serial data to USB

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I really suggest you to forget the outdated (but still usefull and workable) VB6, move on .NET.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

[mackrackit]

All the Belkin serial to USB does is turn a USB port on the PC into a serial port (virtually)

All communications are serial type. RS232 (sort of).

Straight USB is a different thing altogether.

The free version of MCS 3.0 does the 16F628A.

What version of PBP and MCS are you using?

[mister_e]

In .NET you want to use SerialPort component instead, it's a Mscomm but with more rich feature.

To start, simple serial com is probably the best way to go, the 16F628A is a good choice.

[cooksydesign]

All the Belkin serial to USB does is turn a USB port on the PC into a serial port (virtually)

All communications are serial type. RS232 (sort of).

Straight USB is a different thing altogether.

The free version of MCS 3.0 does the 16F628A.

What version of PBP and MCS are you using?

Does this mean then in VB6 I can select a USB port just the same as a "normal" comm port?

B

[mackrackit]

Does this mean then in VB6 I can select a USB port just the same as a "normal" comm port?

B

I do not use VB or .NET
In other languages when using on of these converters, it is treated as a serial port.

For example. One of my machines that does not have a serial port, only USB, add a hub and four serial to USB converters, device manager shows com 2 through 5. If I use hyperterminal, I pick one of these just as I would a real serial port. The same goes for Python and Liberty Basic (the two I use).

So I would guess in VB you would do the same because the OS sees these converters as a serial port.

[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

[mackrackit]

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

Check the Read me file in the PBP directory.