RUMOR: USB-PIC coming

I heard that at the end of the year or so AB is coming out with a USB version of the PIC. Details are real sketchy, but it is supposed to also be able to connect to Micros, too.

I've heard the same thing, and I spoke this week with one of the SLC application engineers at Milwaukee who has a handful of beta test units on his desk.

The urgency kind of petered out of this development when RSI delivered a Windows 2000/XP capable driver; even if it is a pain in the butt to start and stop it does work.

I think they've put in two serial transceiver chips, one for RS232 and one for RS485. That's strictly rumor; I have not seen this product, though I hope to at Automation Fair.

PC's without serial ports- that'll make a USB/PIC a lifesaver for folks who use and maintain DH-485 networks. I hope they test it with PanelView upload/download, because that seems to be the biggest bugaboo for PIC users.

That's how I heard about it. I mentioned that some guys are complaining about serial portless laptops.

How about a USB port on the processor? Either in addition to or instead of the serial port.