Next Phase in Tuning Cables

[R100RT]

Just wondering if there has been any plans to change the mode of tuner connection to the Micro Squirt, from the "Serial Cable" set up, to something USB derived? (direct, & no adaptors and such)
I recently experienced loosing the use of a tuning lap top that had the serial port, and then attempted to integrate one of the more pricey USB/Serial adaptor kits for newer lap top usage and found I was opening a fresh can of worms (inoperability wise) to the point it would rival the actual project I wanted to be working on, that of tuning my bike.
The other reason I'm looking at this, is that once I'm done with my tuning and venturing further afield with my project, it could still prove useful/ handy to be able to connect up with a smaller device like a netbook, very small but limited in connections.
No doubt there are other implications that affect this taking place, I don't know so thought I'd ask if the big picture holds anything in store for this area.
Cheers, Lorne.

[Matt Cramer]

About the only way to make USB work without putting a bunch of overhead on the processor is with a VCP (Virtual COM port) driver. For the MicroSquirt Module, you could put a USB circuit on the board you're connecting it to. See this link for details:

http://www.microsquirtmodule.com/circuit_addons.html

[R100RT]

Seeing as how serial ports are a thing of the past, and I'm sure others must be having this same thought - when will you offer for sale such a device as this "Isolated USB Interface Circuit"?
I'd much rather buy a prebuilt unit, similar to my preference to buy the pre-assembled MicroSquirt (nob with a soldering pencil, magician with fabrication )

[Matt Cramer]

We don't plan on offering such a thing a la carte, but we may incorporate an onboard USB device in addition to a standard serial port in some future items. However, that's not any different from a schematic standpoint from using our USB to RS232 adapter and integrating this into the ECU.

[R100RT]

Good to know Matt. Unfortunately I don't have the model DIYA has available, but purchased locally a PL2303.

I removed the non applicable questions , see following post with pertinent questions.

[R100RT]

I've scoured the M.S. forums, and found the main discussion relative to USB adaptors, recomendations, and even the comparison report describing testing. The DIYA device is reported to work for everyone, by everyone using it.That's encouraging and I'll just buy one when I attempt to purchase a netbook for procedures on the road (don't want to lug the full size Dell with serial port around for ever).
The part that is less than clear is the manner that the appropriate settings are commisioned - this includes I've gathered, setting "writeBlocks = off" and "interWriteDelay = 1". That is further identified to be found @ c:/ProgramFiles/MegaSquirt/mtCommon/common.ini . That is a Notepad document. I've gone right into that to test the methods, using the Prolific PL2303 that I had purchased and on my desk top, without any success at all. Can't seem to save the changes on the Notepad doc either, & (to add injury to insult) it already lists the writeblock = off anyways. So - I'd like to avoid that type of heartache if possible by fully identifying what works, then buying it. If, and I may have a jaded perspective here, this is the foundational aspect of being able to work with/ complete the MS project it would seem a fundamental link or page would be available to suck you in, kick you out the other side with things working (I've found some forum and manual pages that come pretty close, just don't fully cover the steps in a format that lends "full disclosure" to novice types )

Question 1 - Are the above configuration changes (like writeblock setting and interWriteDelay setting) required to enable the DIYA USB adaptor functional?

Question 2 - Is Windows 7 better with these adaptors? Are the same configuration changes required on computer before they work without the blue screen crash? That seemed to come across in comments.

Question 3 - Obviously this affects the entire M.S. nation, so I'd love to know what everyone else is doing these days to connect to their "Non Serial Port Equipped" computers? What ever that general direction is, that's what I want to do too.

Much thanks,
Lorne.

[Matt Cramer]

The settings are not required, and it looks like you've got them up anyway. I haven't seen any trouble with using the adapter with Windows 7. There had been some problems early on with Vista but it looks like updated drivers fixed this.

Windows 7 does create one of the issues you're having, though - it often locks you out of saving or editing files in the Program Files folder.

[guest]

...snip... so I'd love to know what everyone else is doing these days to connect to their "Non Serial Port Equipped" computers? What ever that general direction is, that's what I want to do too.

Lorne I use Apple Macs and Windows boxes, and haven't tried Windows 7 yet, as XP Pro is good enough. I have had no issues with the Prolific drivers, on both platforms, I burn pages no problem, never altered the settings in Device manager, just left as default.
I did have a little hiccup using Macs and TunerStudio, but that was a permissions issue. I only use my USB/Serial devices on a static bike or Microsquirt.