FTDI USB-to-Serial Interfaces

Does anyone know if the FTDI USB-to-Serial Modules
( <A href='http://apple.clickandbuild.com/cnb/shop/ftdichip?op=catalogue-products-null&amp;prodCategoryID=46&amp;title=EVAL232R' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a>
<A href='http://apple.clickandbuild.com/cnb/shop/ftdichip?op=catalogue-products-null&amp;prodCategoryID=38&amp;title=UM232R' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a>
<A href='http://apple.clickandbuild.com/cnb/shop/ftdichip?op=catalogue-products-null&amp;prodCategoryID=40&amp;title=MM232R' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a>
<A href='http://apple.clickandbuild.com/cnb/shop/ftdichip?op=catalogue-products-null&amp;prodCategoryID=58&amp;title=UB232R' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a> ) and the FTDI Virtual Serial Port drivers allow a 'break' signal to be sent through them ?

Can they be used for program download to a PICAXE ?

I want a &quot;PICAXE Box with USB socket&quot; and do not really want to mess about with cutting open and hacking a Rev-Ed USB-to-Serial lead.

Yes, they will allow the break signal to work. However most of them will provide an inverted signal that will need to be converted by either
1) external invertor gates
2) reconfiguring and reprogramming the FTDI module on-board EEPROM to invert the signals (not possible on all FDTI chips - so check datahseet first before buying). The AXE027 is pre-configured like this.

Thanks, and especially for the inverting serial note which I'd completely forgotten to take into account ! Time to read some datasheets.

After digging through a lot of FTDI data, it seems all the modules I mentioned should work with PICAXE download directly. The MM232R and UB232R use the same chip as in the AXE027.

Looking at pinouts, it appears the UB232R ( <A href='http:// http://apple.clickandbuild.com/cnb/shop/ftdichip?op=catalogue-products-null&amp;prodCategoryID=58' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a> ), a Mini-B USB to 8-pin DIL module, is the easiest to use on strip-board or bread-board; handy because it's also the cheapest

hippy-

Have a look at sparkfun too. They have a breaakout board available for the FT232RL for $15. <A href='http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=718' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a>

Cheers,
Brian

Thanks Brian, that looks even better. All the pins if you want them, only the ones you need if you don't. All but GND on the end come out the sides, so great for plugging into breadboard without annoying between hole track cutting.

Sparkfun also do an XBee to 0.1&quot; breakout board <A href='http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8276' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a>

Technical - Now Sparkfun are selling Rev-Ed kit, I wonder if there could be a reciprical deal ?

Wow looks like Spark Fun has really filled out it's Picaxe offerings sense the last time I looked. I had e-mailed them about their inital small picaxe offerings and they did respond that they were considering adding more picaxe products. Us USA picaxe users should support these addition vendors to show our apprichation. Never hurts to have a few extra chips on hand ;-)

Lefty

I ordered a few 14ms from sparkfun the other day had them in by the 2nd day. They are an awesome group.

Brian