my project requires serial communication over USB. For millions of reasons, I wouldn't like to use FTDI chips (too small to solder, would solder paste and reflow oven, etc.). I want to keep the project simple and rather use a dual in line IC. Can you recommend me USB - serial converter ICs (dual in line, if possible that work with Atmega microcontrollers? I don't need to load sketches (there's separate header for the FTDI cable), just plain arduino to computer (mac os x) serial connection. Any ideas would be appreciated!
It still is SMD, but something like the prolific PL-2303 might be interesting.
For almost no money you can buy a nokia CA-42 cable, the PL-chip is housed in the connector, and RX-TX are available on the cable.
As far as I know this chip is used in lots of cheap-third party CA-42 cables, others may have a different chip, but... that's just a matter of loading the right drivers on the PC.
The FTDI is far superior to the Prolific. Get an FTDI on a breakout from Sparkfun. Even better, design for a 6 pin header and use the FTDI built in to a cable like the sparkfun arduino variants use.
Can you tell us what the differences are and what matters?
I'm about to test Prolific PL-2303 and Silicon Labs CP2102 USB interfaces. So far they and FTDI are equally functional for RX-TX use.
The CP2102 has a 3.3V output (100ma) and 5V tolerant inputs, and Arduino Reset )(For $5.75) So I'm wondering what else $15 gets me at Sparkfun...
Have you had problems with Non-FTDI manufacturers?
FTDI chips have dedicated serial numbers for udev mapping... that's all that I've found is different (the Prolific ones, at least, can't be mapped individually to different ports by serial number).
Short of that, anything with gnd/5v/rx/tx/dtr is fine for Arduino.
Just using TX/RX (wouldn't mind having other signals on a CA-42) I can't get beyond 115200Bd on my prolific, while I've been able to get to 256000Bd using the FTDI-chip on my Duemilanove.
Since you're interested in a DIP-solution, so far I haven't heard of an Dip-atmel with USB out of the box and don't know whether one exists. Some of Microchips PIC controllers (dirty word for some here :D) do.
Although I haven't worked with PICs yet I can't imagine a program to send info from USB to the PICs TTL serial port being very difficult.
Can you tell us what the differences are and what matters?
As someone already mentioned, the FTDI has a unique serial number that allows use of multiple devices without ambiguity. FTDI is the only one I've found with this feature; KeySpan, Prolific, SI Labs, and generic USB CDC devices and drivers all fail this test.
When I use multiple devices (which is more often than not), I do not want to guess which one is which, or guess what the device special file name (or com port number) is if I happen to plug it in to a different USB port. Every other device/driver I've ever used fails this basic usability test.
I have found the drivers for FTDI to be superior (although it's too bad the linux driver makes me write udev rules to uniquely identify the device special file name). A few years ago the Prolific drivers actually managed to crash the operating system on my mac. That's the only time I've ever seen a mac kernel dump. The USB CDC support under windows is plain stupid. The code is there, but I have to come up with an INF file to make it work? Gimme a break.
FTDI also has a device with 4 serial ports on one device. That's extremely nice, if you happen to need multiple ports.
I'm about to test Prolific PL-2303 and Silicon Labs CP2102 USB interfaces.
Terry the CP2102 has a problem on the latest Mac OS. Basically their drivers don't toggle the DTR line when connecting and so the auto reset bit of the arduino won't work. I have contacted them about this over a year ago and they said they would change the driver. I keep getting emails saying they have not done this yet.
Wow, that's plenty of info, thanks guys! Still, I will give an other ic a try. I happen to have an ftdi ic and it's very tiny. Soldering it would require to upgrade from tone transfer PCB making method to photo etching, buy solder paste and learn to solder with it... too much money and hassle. Though I might just design the PCB and have it manufactured. Again, thanks for tha answers! I will give the wexmax ic a try and will let you know about the results.
You can solder FTDI chips just fine with a soldering iron, solder, and solder wick (preferably flux too, but not necessary). Nevertheless, you're probably better off just leaving an FTDI header on the board and swapping an FTDI breakout around - dead usb-serial chips are hard to detect and painful to debug, and there's really no need for more than one (for programming).
my project requires serial communication over USB. For millions of reasons, I wouldn't like to use FTDI chips (too small to solder, would solder paste and reflow oven, etc.). I want to keep the project simple and rather use a dual in line IC. Can you recommend me USB - serial converter ICs (dual in line, if possible that work with Atmega microcontrollers? I don't need to load sketches (there's separate header for the FTDI cable), just plain arduino to computer (mac os x) serial connection. Any ideas would be appreciated!
I did take a quick look at the data sheet of the Hexwax, two things may make it difficult.
It's intended for SPI-use and out of the box it doesn't present itself as a virtual comport.
My knowledge is limited and I haven't studied the data-sheet thoroughly, but I'd expect it may be quite a job to get it working as a comport with RX/TX lines.
If you find a good solution I don't have, let me know!)